A Far-Flung Life

by M.L. Stedman

Western Australia, 1958. A truck rumbles along a lonely outback road. A moment’s inattention, and in a few muddled seconds the lives of the MacBride family are shattered.

Instead of leaving them to heal, fate comes back for them in a twist of consequences that will cause one of them to lose their life, and another to sacrifice theirs for the sake of an innocent child.

Set in the expanse of a vast and flat landscape, where the weather is a capricious god and a million-acre sheep station is barely a dot on the map, A Far-flung Life explores the hearts of a handful of isolated souls and the secrets they shield in order to survive.

Capturing a family, a community, A FAR-FLUNG LIFE tells of the many ways humans can do each other wrong and how we move on when things can’t be put right. With shimmering prose and a delicious wit, the mysteries of being human are laid bare in this hopeful meditation on time and resilience and the lengths we go to to protect what we love.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Australia, Literary Fiction, Historical, Contemporary, Book Club

448 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

About the author

M.L. Stedman was born and raised in Western Australia and now lives in London. The Light Between Oceans is her first novel.

Reviews

[Angela M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read The Light Between Oceans twelve years ago and still remember the impact this story had on me. It was about doing the right thing in the face of heartbreak - how I cried in the end. M.L. Stedman’s second novel packs the same emotional punch.

This new novel is about decisions people make in the wake of tragic circumstances, about legacy, land, family, grief, things that happen, sometimes beyond one’s control. This was not an easy read. Life for the MacBrides of Meredith Downs, the million acre sheep station in Western Australia is cruel and full of loss and grief. The major focus of the story is when Matt MacBride discovers a seemingly unspeakable and unbearable truth and he doesn’t know how to move forward. With the wisdom of experience, Pete Peachy, the station’s roo hunter and family friend gives him advice that helps Matt bear the unbearable with courage, grace and love. Pete’s advice helped me continue to read what I knew would be a tough one . “If you want to drown yourself in poison or some bloody thing, I can't stop you-you'll find a way. But if you do ... you'll never know what you missed out on." I’m so glad I read on.

While I admired Lorna, the family matriarch and loved Matt and Andy, Pete was my favorite character. If I hadn’t continued , I wouldn’t have seen what a brave, loving man Matt turned out to be and I wouldn’t have seen the strength and resilience of his mother Lorna and mostly I would not have met the lovely boy named Andy who becomes a man before our eyes. I would not have experienced this place which is so much a part of the story, the descriptions of this expanse of the landscape, the animals, the vegetation, the natural disasters that occurred are nothing short of spectacular. The history with changes coming to the land is expertly told. A beautiful story and I cried in the end of this one, too.

I received a copy of this book from Scribner through NetGalley.

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Western Australia, 1958. The MacBride family live in on Meredith Downs, a sheep station, with a million acres and are pastoralists and not farmers. Phil and Lorna have three children Warren, Rosie and Matthew, in the past the eldest son always inherits the property, daughters marry and second sons have more freedom.

Driving to Wanderrie Creek one morning, Phil swerves to avoid a huge kangaroo, something he’s told everyone not to do and it changes everything and those left behind are devastated and broken and not just their bodies.

The narrative gives you an idea of what it’s like to live on such a vast expanse of land, from rotating the use of each sections, breeding, raising, sheering and selling sheep, to the seasons, drought, red dry soil, vegetation and wildlife.

An historical saga told in three parts, Matt, the youngest MacBride, is plunged into a nightmare, there’s no map to guide him, as he chooses to keep a horrific secret, to forsake his own happiness, for his mother and a trusting and fatherless young boy.

I received a copy of A Far-Flung Life from Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The Light Between Oceans is one of my all-time favourite books, I couldn’t wait to read Ms. Stedman’s latest release and it didn’t disappoint.

I felt the links the MacBride’s had to the land, their ancestors, traditions, where they belonged, would you want to be the one or generation to end this or cause any doubt about their reputation and standing in the community?

An epic story about types of scars and being different, forgiveness, compassion and hope and doing the best you can, it’s never too late.

The outback is vast and so is this novel, I couldn’t put it down, I rode the every high and low, I felt a connection to the characters and their loss and pain and I was sobbing by the end.

I highly recommend, five stars from me and look out for Pete Peachey, Sneaky Snook, Maudie Knapp, Myrtle Eedle, Bonnie Edquist and remaining members of the MacBride family in this blockbuster.

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

448 pages ... and sooo good.

M.L. Stedman writes to ask us (1) how we can continue living when we feel we’ve done something that can’t be undone or fixed and (2) if today’s society prevents us from choosing ‘forgetment’.

The setting is paramount to this novel and I love how it is played out in the MacBride family’s experiences. Each character is seeking refuge from something, and while some rely on the remoteness for secrecy, others discover that they’ve been denied a future due to a single moment in their past. Isolation, a choice to forget what they can’t escape, and a limited way of communication allow those on Meredith Downs sheep station to keep putting one foot in front of the other and surviving. Stedman expertly highlights the notions that there’s no one right way to deal with intractable problems, that forgetting and forgiving go hand in hand, and that it’s the power of love that often keeps us afloat so we can heal.

Things that gave me pause for thought:
❣You don’t often get to choose how life turns out
❣Sometimes it just takes one person to —---
❣The thing that hurts us the most may just be the thing that helps us heal
❣Running from problems doesn’t solve anything
❣The value in the oxygen of ignorance
❣Is there ever a time when our secrets aren’t ours to tell?
❣Time and experience shape us more than we realize
❣Just because we’ve heard the song from one bird, doesn’t mean we understand the whole bird
❣There are things that need to wait for kinder times

This is a ‘forever shelf’ book, one that I know I’ll read again and again. It’s rich in emotion and offers plenty to think about. I won’t forget the characters or their experiences any time soon.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Joanna Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

About 10 years ago, I visited CW Agency to meet my (amazing) soon-to-be-agent Sue Armstrong. I left with a huge (and very generous) tote bag filled with the books of authors Sue represents, and one of those books was a debut called The Light Between Oceans.

I fell in love with that book.

I fell in love SO MUCH, for the past decade I have (on many occasions) quizzed Sue as to whether there might be a second novel. 'Not yet!' was always the answer. Until now.
Goodreads, please let me introduce you to one of the most beautiful stories you will ever read. I hesitate to tell you what it's about, because it's about so many things ... but I will try.

This is a multi-generational novel, which begins in 1958, and is set on a vast sheep station, in Western Australia, run by the MacBrides. What happens to the MacBrides, I will leave you to discover for yourselves, but suffice to say they are vulnerable, not only to the brutality of the Western Australian landscape and the extremes of nature ... but also to the brutality of fate. To God's throw of the dice.

This is a story of how a moment's misjudgement leaves you with a burden you'll carry for the rest of your life; how, even in the middle of a million acres, you can still feel like a prisoner, and how - like the miners who descend on the land - you need to decide what should rise to the surface, and what is best left underground.

Not only is this an utterly BEAUTIFUL story and so deeply insightful, it's also written with such skill I felt as though I'd sat with Margot on the verandah at Meredith Downs, and she had turned to me and said 'let me tell you about the MacBride family'. When I reached the final page, I burst into tears - not because the story was upsetting, but because I didn't want her to stop talking.

The publisher bills this as 'the landmark publication of 2026'. For me, it's the landmark publication of a decade. It's truly a masterpiece and I want to march people to the pre-order pages, because it's the kind of book you will remember and treasure for the rest of your life, and I love the very bones of it.

[Tilly Fitzgerald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5.

What an epic read this was! I don’t think I’d actually read the author’s previous novel, but will have to after this.

This is a novel that spans decades as we follow the MacBride family in rural Western Australia, and all the tragedies that unfold for them. The farm style setting (understatement given the size!) and darkness that runs through this novel reminded me a little of one of my other favourites, Go As A River by Shelley Read, although the story itself is quite different. It can be a hard read at times, and there are a lot of morally grey areas which really made me think, but it was also full of joy, wonder, love and hope. Definitely have the tissues handy for this one!

[Gwen_isreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

Echt een prachtig diepgaand verhaal over liefde, verlies & veel drama. Meerdere malen tranen in mijn ogen gehad en verbaast verder gelezen. Echt een prachtige roman die iedereen moet lezen! Vooral als je fan bent van de boeken van Kristin Hannah.

[Sali Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensie exemplaar:

Een ontroerend en indrukwekkende roman waarbij voor mij de kern draait om de familie MacBride en hun veerkracht om door te gaan met leven na een reeks onvoorstelbare verliezen, verdriet en rouw.

​De setting in West-Australië is bijna een personage op zich. De wijdsheid van het landschap en het harde leven op de schapenboerderij dragen bij aan de omvang van het verdriet van de familie. De boerderij met haar cyclus van grazen, lammeren en scheren dwingt de familie om de zorg voor het leven voort te zetten, wat het symbolische thema van veerkracht versterkt. Ondanks alles gaat het leven door.
​De personages bestaan uit veel verschillende karakters die uitgebreid en met veel aandacht beschreven worden, waardoor ze heel echt worden. De auteur beschrijft hun gedachten, gevoelens en ervaringen, inclusief taboes, met zoveel zorg dat je als lezer niet anders kunt dan met ze mee voelen. Het is niet meteen duidelijk wat elk personage toevoegt, maar naarmate je verder leest valt er steeds meer op zijn plek. Het loont dus absoluut om door te lezen.
​Ondanks de poëtische toon en de beschrijvende stijl, weet de auteur de spanning vast te houden. Door het verhaal heen zitten zoveel geheimen die invloed hebben op hoe de personages reageren. Dit hield de spanning erin terwijl het verhaal zelf ingrijpend is.
​Er waren zeker punten die ik minder vond, maar de algehele leeservaring en de schrijfstijl maakten heel veel goed. Dit is een roman die je lang bijblijft.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is beautiful and so well told. I marked up my copy with notes on tragedy, shame, family, forgiveness and courage (I am usually more of a vibes reader so this says a lot for the exceptional writing and headspace this book takes you).

This will break you down, leave you on edge and the build you up again. The landscape and community resilience of the place is as much of a character as any, but I especially warmed to the POW character (heart in my throat still for him).

Well done Ms Steadman. What an epic novel should be.

Note there are some sensitive subjects in here but she covers them tender prose.

Thank you to DoubleDay UK for the ARC

[Clare M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A devastating but beautiful read…

[Craig Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tricky book to review without giving away spoilers. So, in a departure from my usual approach, here are my thoughts.
Set in Western Australia and spanning 40+ years starting in the late the 1950s, A Far-flung Life is a tale of sheep, rocks, kangaroos, weather, mining, POWs, gossips, cricket, overzealous policemen, car accidents, boats, secrets and sacrifices.
It embraces memories, forgetments (you have to read the book), tragedies, relationships, fortitude, resilience, despair, inflexibility, courage, consequences, grievous predicaments, innocence and guilt, acceptance and forgiveness.
It’s a saga recording the history of a family that experiences more than its fair share of trauma. It’s about doing the right things, not always doing things right. Protecting what’s precious. Acting with compassion in the face of adversity.
M L Stedman’s writing transports you to a million acres of pastures, creeks, lakes and gorges replete with flora and fauna, benign and pernicious.
Melding wry humour with poignant pathos, it explores the boundaries of emotional endurance and the depths of aching regret.
A richly-drawn character driven epic that I have definitely filed under ‘memory’ not ‘forgetment’.
A Far-flung Life will be published in March 2026, a date well worth noting in your calendar.

[Christopher Febles · Rating 3 out of 5]

The MacBrides have run Meredith Downs, a sheep “station” in the deserts of Western Australia, for several generations. A tragic accident kills off the patriarch and oldest son, and leaves the youngest son, Matt, in a coma. He recovers, but along the way more terrible things occur, like the death of his sister, Rose. From there, Matt becomes the man of the family, taking care of the station and Rose’s son, Andy.

If you learned anything from Bill Bryson, Colleen McCullough, or Crocodile Dundee, you know this: life Down Under is HARD. Especially anything outside the big cities, especially pre-1980. Just about every animal can kill you, dust storms can also kill you, and when it rains, it POURS. And it can kill you.



Stedman does what the others do (well, not Dundee): describes the majesty and power of a wild continent. In fact, she describes the rough life of a station family in an economically challenging time. Miners could, back then, pretty much take over any property in the name of the Commonwealth and dig up all the goodies…and wealth. Nasty business, but the MacBrides take it well. There’s a lot of description of what seems to me to be everyday life, so it stretches a bit in the middle. There’s also a love affair here with Matt, the station head, and Bonnie, the beautiful miner. The will-they-won’t-they takes a while, but it’s lovely how it comes together.

Here’s the thing: a really dark, nasty secret is revealed very early in the book. It pervades the rest of the story. Everything comes back to it, and I mean EVERYTHING. Andy’s birth, Rose’s death, Matt’s life, and especially, his love affair with Bonnie. And, well…it’s kinda…unsettling. Further, to even discuss it would release spoilers.

Let’s put it this way: the writing is good enough to push through, unless your morals won’t allow it. There’s a direct, gritty tone to the story and character descriptions. There’s also a drift into the philosophical, which sometimes annoys me, but in this case, enhanced the thing. Sometimes the author shifts from past to present tense: irksome for a few people, but it seemed to work OK for me. Minor trigger warning for anyone sensitive about animal cruelty...

It’s been described as “sweeping,” but I’m not sure: the timeline was shorter and the plot elements were simpler. But it was good to know the MacBrides, and a literary trip to Australia is never wasted.

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for a complimentary review copy in exchange for an honest review. A Far-Flung Life will be released March 3, 2026.

[Kate O'Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

When tragedy strikes the MacBride family it causes ripples that continue down the decades. Matthew, left with a brain injury struggles with his emotions on returning to his family's sheep station; Rose, still feeling guilty, has an unrequited crush on visiting Brit, Miles; and Lorna, their mother, has no idea how she will manage the station without the support of her husband.

But as their lives begin to resemble a new normality fate intervenes once more and the remaining family members are thrown into turmoil that could wreck their fragile peace for good.

A Far-Flung Life follows the MacBride family whose home in Meredith Downs, Western Australia is a hard and fraught with daily challenges including drought, financial hardship and death . Covering four decades from 1958 to 2000 it is a wonderfully rich, beautifully written family saga that draws you in from the very first chapter.

The characters are sympathetic and likeable, even given some of the terrible circumstances that befall them. Set in a corner of the world where deprivation was ever present, Stedman has given us a family whose only course of action has to be to pull together even with the terrible secrets they have to keep.

I thoroughly enjoyed the novel, even if the tragedies take your breath away. I did find some characters responses to certain parts of the story quite bewildering but these were different times and it would be very difficult to put yourself into the shoes of someone facing such specific challenges.

I would, however, highly recommend this book. It is quite a remarkable story and I would love to read more by this author.

Thankyou to Netgalley and Random House UK for the digital review copy.

[Louis Muñoz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. A solid enough read, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as "The Light Between Oceans," which moved me greatly at times. I only occasionally connected to the characters, and a certain event that happens fairly early on and that has huge consequences for the family on which this story centers, well, it didn't feel particularly credible, and felt avoidable to begin with. As so much of the drama/story flows from that point, the story felt less than genuine, or at least, less than I wanted to invest in.

Another criticism is the more-than-occasional and often abrupt changes in verb tense, particularly into an omniscient present tense. It didn't make sense, and served to distance me even further from the story. Having said that all, I can see an appeal to many readers, and would still recommend it, both professionally and personally, and look forward to Stedman's future work.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Suz · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only read 25%; I was enjoying the setting of a station in the Australian Outback, the writing was great. But then the author introduced a storyline which just took the book in a direction I did not expect. I didn’t want to continue reading and exploring the consequences of that incident. Trigger/storyline warnings are complicated when they spoil plots but I really feel this one should have a big one and ‘morally grey’ does not give you enough warning even if I had read any reviews before starting. Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for the ARC.

[Sara]

From my lost diary
lost sheep
that song lay at many farm
our rivir never have shore
from our tears make sea and clowd drink
our tomp was have wood sowrd
ah how much we love lili
the wind went crazy over one tragic moment
sheep secret travil without land
runing at map of tears
no one want us coz we travel outside place and time
have freedom was hope break many ben
dont read our news
dont go after our step
just till our chilren at cold night
pray coz yr went heigh
we nt sail our sand or pain
that our winter friend
that land sheep

[Sara Troup · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Far-Flung Life broke my heart in a way that felt honest and earned. I don’t even know how to write about this book without sounding inadequate, because the writing itself is on another level. From the first pages, Western Australia felt fully alive, the vast land, the heat, the isolation, and I was completely pulled into it. The sense of place is extremely strong, which I adore in a book.

Set in the outback in the late 1950s, the story follows the MacBride family, who have lived for generations on a remote sheep station. After a sudden accident shatters their world, a chain of consequences unfolds that forces each of them to carry grief, guilt, and impossible choices in their own way. At the center is Matt, the youngest son, pushed into a moral crossroads where love, duty, sacrifice, and happiness cannot coexist. Watching these lives unravel and reshape themselves was emotionally brutal and completely absorbing.

What stayed with me most is how real these characters felt, not just in the choices they made, but in the things that happened to them. So much of the pain in this book comes from loss, bad timing, and sheer unfairness. It’s a powerful reminder of how fragile life is, how little control we actually have, and how quickly everything can change. And yet, Stedman also shows how moments of beauty, love, and grace can grow out of even the worst tragedies.

This book shattered me and then somehow, quietly and gently, put me back together again. This is a once-in-a-lifetime kind of read. Stunning writing, unforgettable characters, and a story that will live in my chest for a long time. I’ll never stop thinking about it.

[Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow, this story had me absolutely enraptured all the way through. I don’t really know how to put into words how much I enjoyed this book. I do know how much I’m going to miss reading about this family now I’ve finished, so emotional, so heartfelt. The MacBride family, as well as their friends and neighbours, become people you care about so much its almost as if they’re a part of your own life.

The setting is so evocatively described. Living on a huge Sheep station covering a million acres? Hard to ever imagine such a vast open space at the mercy of all weathers, drought, storms, ravaging heat. Only the toughest, most resolute could make a home there, yet that is what the MacBride family did, for generations living in Meredith Downs.

A story about the deep secrets people hold close, they can never let anyone know for the sake of their own self preservation and the preservation of others. As well as the family themselves, there are some wonderful supporting characters. Pete Peachy the roo shooter, who kept the kangaroo population down as they would take precious water from the sheep, steal their food, and sad though it is, were a pest as far as the sheep stations were concerned. He is such an important character who leads quite a solitary life for reasons best known to himself and yet he is such a kind, caring person who would look out for others in his own brusque way.

There’s nothing else to say, you have to read the book. I loved the ending, I’m not usually a happily ever after kind of reader but the last few chapters, the conclusion of this epic journey was just perfect, and yes, moved me to tears.

Of all the books I’ve read and all the books I’ll ever read, this one will never be a forgetment. (If you’ve read it, you’ll know 😉)

[Corinne Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been 6 years since I read Stedman's first book, "The Light Between Oceans", which I absolutely loved. This one was well worth the wait. The MacBrides have been in the sheep business for generations and call Meredith Downs, a vast landscape of sprawling fields, home (and a character all its own in this book). When tragedy strikes this family of 5 and turns it into a family of 3, it starts a chain of events that will change this family forever. The story is a slow-burn, where you sift through a large cast of characters and figure out the importance of each one. At times it can be tedious, but it is worth it. Secrets abound in this story, and some of them are pretty dark & shameful, but Stedman handles them in a gentle way that you won't be as disturbed by them. The biggest secret is what shapes the entire story, and you muddle along and see how this secret affects them all. This is a story of how one moment of misjudgment leaves you with a burden that you will carry with you for the rest of your life, and you need to decide what should be brought to the surface and what should remain buried. I will be thinking about this book for a while. I think that this will be one of 2026's best books.

Many thanks to NetGalley & Scribner for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book!
A real epic novel. Set across multiple generations in a place where resilience and resourcefulness are day to day necessities for survival.
Beautifully written and thoroughly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

won an ARC copy from goodreads. I enjoyed parts of the book but other times it was hard to follow and not much going on. Very much a character driven novel.

I felt like some chapters could have been omitted and it wouldn't have take away from the story.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Far-flung Life absolutely floored me. From the very first chapter, when a single accident tears the MacBride family apart, I was hooked, and heartbroken. M. L. Stedman has a way of writing that makes you feel the weight of every choice her characters make, as if you’re living their lives right alongside them.

The setting is extraordinary: the vast emptiness of Western Australia in the 1950s. You can almost feel the dust, the heat, the silence. It’s so remote and harsh, yet The author fills it with a community of people whose struggles, secrets, and sacrifices feel so deeply human. That contrast, between the unforgiving land and the tenderness of the characters, makes the story unforgettable.

What really stayed with me was how the novel explores resilience. It’s about the lengths we’ll go to for the people we love, even when it means carrying unbearable burdens ourselves. Some parts were heartbreaking (I’ll admit I cried), but there’s also so much beauty and hope woven through the sadness.

If you loved The Light Between Oceans, you’ll find the same luminous writing here, but this story feels even bigger, bolder, and more haunting. It’s one of those rare novels that I know will stay with me for years.
In short: moving, atmospheric, and utterly unforgettable. I can’t recommend it enough.

[Random Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty sure I just finished one of my top reads of 2026. I have waited a long time for Stedman’s next book. After loving The Light Between the Oceans I wanted another story! Well, it’s releasing on March 3rd, 2026, and if you loved Stedman’s first book, you will want to pick this one up.

The writing is beautiful. There’s no repetition, no wasted words. Everything that’s introduced becomes part of the fabric of the story and is seamlessly woven into the lives of the people. The characterization is phenomenal. I became emotionally attached to each character and genuinely wanted what was best for them. They felt like family as I tried to understand their choices, felt their pain, and rooted for them through it all.

The descriptions of Meredith Downs sheep station were so vivid that I could picture every detail. The setting felt real and alive.

This is a story about moving on from the mistakes of your past, no matter how heavy they are. It explores how errors made in youth or young adulthood don’t have to define you. It’s about tragedy, shame, resilience, courage, and learning how to forgive yourself.

Once I reached the traumatic part of the story, I couldn’t put it down. I stayed awake worrying about these characters because I cared so deeply about them. I had to know what would happen to them.

Would I recommend this book? Yes! Emphatically yes! It’s not a short read, but it’s one that you won’t want to end. It lingers like the memory of the family you love.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Vibe check: Slow Burn, Station Life, Heavy Themes

full review ⬇️

I’ve read some very rich and beautiful writing along my reading journey, particularly this month but M L Stedman’s writing is on another level, and luckily so because that is the main win in my eyes with A Far-Flung Life.

From the opening pages, I was completely swept into life on a remote Australian sheep station in the 1950’s with the most immersive vivid descriptions.

The story began strongly delivering some intense heartbreak and I could not put it down, until a dark turn shifted everything. That moment changed how I felt about the entire book and from there the reading experience became uncomfortable rather than compelling for me.

Lately I’m noticing more novels leaning into confronting themes and while awareness and conversations are important, I often struggle with why they’re included and what they truly add to the story. The dark theme in this book which I won’t mention to avoid spoilers seems like it could have been written very differently to avoid the ick.

It saddens me knowing if this one theme was avoided this might have otherwise been a book I could have really loved.

That said, the writing itself is exceptional. The setting, the station life and several characters (Myrtle deserved her own novel honestly 🤭) were real highlights. Unfortunately, the storyline couldn’t recover for me after that pivotal moment.

If you’re someone who can handle darker themes and enjoy a slow, atmospheric, historical style read, this may resonate more with you than it did with me.

[Keith Milne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done. An overall enjoyable read, but with several criticisms.

At times, I found Stedman’s prose breathtaking, but too often she would offset it with extremely propriety words that only someone from Western Australia would know, she even tried to cleverly use a Latin term!?! Additionally, I wouldn’t use more than one quirky name in one of my Novels, but Humpty Dumpton, Pete Peachy, Myrtle Eeatle and more are in the lineup with this story.

Finally, the length was over the top. I was sooo ready for the book to be over with 😞 Perhaps a 3 book series covering several decades each or trimming about 20-30% of the fluff in this epic novel would be a more prudent thing to do. Use more universally understood language in your sentences. Edit and remove all items (and there are many) of terms that confuse the reader or cause them to Google or use Chat GPT in order to understand the definition or meaning intended.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been more than 13 years since M.L. Stedman’s last book and the wait has absolutely been worth it. A Far Flung Life did not disappoint. It is sweeping and emotionally loaded and the exploits of the MacBride family, Lorna, Matt and Andy, will stay with me for a long time.

The atmospheric story spans decades and is set on a sheep station in Western Australia. Like her last book, Stedman touches on ethics and morals, and the impossible choices life sometimes hands you making one wonder how you would handle similar situations.

Some very difficult topics are explored, but I feel like care was taken so as to be thought provoking. The descriptions of the station are so vivid that the land becomes a character in its own right. Stedman perfectly captures the perils of living in a far flung community where people gossip, spy on others, and form opinions based on circumstantial evidence. These opinions can have drastic consequences, especially for the era in which the main part of the plot takes place.

This story made me angry, it made me sad, it made me cry, and it made me think. Yes, I’m being vague on the plot because I don’t want to spoil it and the reading experience. But trust me, you will find yourself rooting fiercely for some characters, furious at others, and heartbroken for more than one. If you love epic family dramas this one is for you. It publishes in March 2026.

Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC of one of my most anticipated reads of 2026.

[Harriet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly devastating and beautiful in equal measure, A Far-flung Life is a sweeping family saga in which so much happens, yet nothing ever feels forced or over-dramatised. From the very first page I was completely enraptured by Stedman’s writing - the vivid sense of place and time, and the wildness of the Western Australian landscape brought to life through her descriptions. I actually gasped aloud at the opening chapter and found myself saying, ‘WHAT an opening chapter’ to an empty room!

Again and again, Stedman builds an impending sense of doom without ever revealing too much too soon, only to soothe the reader with moments of warmth and uplift in the chapters that follow. I loved the sprawling cast of characters, each adding texture and heart to the story.

The MacBride family and the remote ranch setting reminded me a lot of Yellowstone, though centred on a family far less much less purposefully problematic!

This is the first ARC I’ve ever given five stars, and honestly, if I could give it six, I would. I'll be treating myself to my first Goldsboro special edition to celebrate this publishing!

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating 4.5.

What a brilliant, tragic, thought-provoking, and well-written book. I didn’t want it to end. Full review to come soon!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Em theglitterybookworm_]

i have been waiting for a new M. L. Steadman for YEARS! put it in my veins!

[Susie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first half was nicely done.

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was unfortunately very very boring and I could not get into this novel.