Krystal’s Comments (group member since Jun 07, 2016)

Krystal’s comments from the The Light Between Oceans Read-A-Long group.

I really did enjoy this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone (I already have!!). This was my first read-along and while I did enjoy this, I found it hard to keep on the schedule. I just wanted to read it from beginning to end! I loved the writing of this novel. Stedman did a phenomenal job with the little details and trying each and everything together. There wasn't anything that I didn't like to be honest! From beginning to end, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I balled like a baby in the end, and Lucy/Grace coming back may have been my favourite part! To know that she was aware of what happened and obviously wasn't "wiped clean" of the memories and stories of her other family really stood out to me. I'm happy she took the time to reconnect with Tom.

2. I think regardless of whether or not I read the book, the movie looks great and I plan on seeing it!

I can't wait to read other peoples thoughts and reactions to the book. And thank you Simon & Schuster for hosting this fun read along!

1. I think that Gwen in the end, was right but ultimately handled it the wrong way. She should have not kept it a secret when visiting Isabel, though I know that Hannah wouldn't have let it happen. I think Gwen meant well and knew that it was wrong but also knew that it could potentially help Lucy/Grace. I also think that Hannah reacted the way most people would in this situation. She felt betrayed and lied to.

2. I was surprised to be honest! I thought she would go quietly and let Tom take all the blame. I thought for sure Isabel would do whatever she could to throw Tom under the bus. Everything she has done up until now proves that she would keep quiet and let Tom take the blame. I'm still not convinced that she even has the tiniest inkling that what she did was wrong. As for what I would have done, it's so hard to say.

And I also really felt moved by this quote:
“’I want my Grace back,” she mouths silently through her tears. “This isn’t my Grace!” Her baby had died, after all.”(Pg 288)

It really summed up Hannah's feelings about Grace/Lucy.

This has been my favourite chapter set to read too! It's been so emotional, and I feel like we just learned a whole lot about Isabel and Tom, meaning Isabel is kind of a mean person who will let her husband take all the blame for this and not step up and tell the truth, and also that Tom is the complete opposite of this; he will step up and take ALL the blame if it means that Isabel will suffer less.

1. I can see why the doctor gives advice to basically rip it off like a band-aid and just let Lucy/Grace forget her old life, but I think it would be so much easier on everyone, especially the child if she could be eased into this new life. I think it would take more time but in the end, I think Lucy/Grace would benefit the most by this.

2. It seems like right now, Tom will continue to take the blame for everything, but people seem to be questioning this because of the "real" Tom. People know his personality and his ethics and I think something may happen to change the outcome, but I don't know what yet!

I can't wait to get to the end of the book! It's been a long 6 weeks of reading this book, and I just NEED to get to the end of it! I've been trying very hard not to read ahead and get ahead of the discussion/questions to not spoil it. Eeek!!!

Hey Guys, just got back from vacation! I didn't forget about this read-along, I took notes and read when I needed to but didn't get near a computer! Here are my answers...

1. To me, the most shocking news was hearing that Hannah was the girl on the boat from the beginning. It seemed like that part of the book was just to put forth Tom's personality and need to do right for/by everyone. It seemed so little and insignificant that I kind of forgot about it until they met again. It was definitely something that I should have kept in mind and should have known that it would be such an important part of the book (especially now that I know every little detail M.L Stedman writes in her book is meaningful!)

2. Isabels parents are reacting "properly" towards all of this I think, trying to comfort Isabel and get down to the truth of the matter, still in shock and not too sure what's happening to their daughters family.

3. I can sympathize with Isabel in the case that she just had her child taken away from her, and she's extremely upset and shutting everyone out. I feel like she is being a little too harsh on Tom, but I can also understand that she feels betrayed deeply by him.

4. Its hard to say. She seems to just want to sit back quietly and let Tom take all the blame.

1. It really did surprise me that it was Isabel. I didn't think she had it in her to do such a thing.

2. For sure, Isabel sees Tom's "right" different than he sees his own "right". I think that's what led them into this situation they're in. Isabel knows Tom will do right by her, and his family. But Tom wants to do right by everyone and everything.

3. I don't know what team I'd be on, honestly. I know that what they did is terribly wrong, and as a mother, I would hate not knowing what became of my child. But also as a mother, I know the need for a child. I can't say! While 'm reading the love and care towards Lucy from Isabel, I think she made the right decision, but now that we know Hannah and her story, when reading about that I wish Isabel would have turned the baby in. I'm definitely all over the place!

1. I've always felt a bit of sympathy towards Tom. I feel like all he really ever wanted was peace (literally and figuratively) and quiet after the war. He witnessed things that no one should have to so he wanted to be alone on Janus as a light keeper. He fell in love with Isabel and was happy to have her along, but then she started to claim the island, and a baby came along that wasn't theirs. I just feel like a lot has been piled up for Tom to deal with.

2. It's tough to read along now knowing what we know about the baby's mother. That she is alive and well, and just wondering where her baby went.

3. I think a part of Isabel will always be young and naive. Though she's grown into quite the mother, caring for and loving little Lucy. Only time will tell the further we read!

4. The small little part on page 109 where Lucy has fallen asleep in Toms arms and Tom and Isabel are talking really stood out to me. "It's just love, Tom. No need to be scared of love." Tom points out here that he was able to accept Isabel in his life and his heart, but he's worried that Lucy just doesn't belong there. To me, that's such a pivotal moment where we see into Tom and his true feelings towards this whole situation.

1. Tom is definitely torn between 2 ways of thinking. On one hand, he knows the importance of documenting every thing that plays out on Janus Rock and therefore the boats arrival should be recorded, but he also wants to keep Isabel happy and he can so obviously see the happiness this baby has brought.

2. I think opposites can compliment each other or cause devastation. And I think we'll see a lot more of this in the upcoming parts of the novel.


3. I think all of the events in Tom's life so far influence his actions and feelings. He's a rule follower, he's cautious and he's sensible. And he's seen so much horror and devastation. Therefore he's eager to do right by the man and the baby.

4. I think Isabel feels more at home in Janus than Tom does. She's naming places, and now with keeping the baby, I think she'll be more reluctant to leave while Tom is a guest as stated and when time's up, he'll be ready and eager to leave. So therein lays a problem in the future.

So far, the quote that stood out for me, though sad, was very powerful.

"The old clock on the kitchen wall still clicked its minutes with fussy punctuality. A life had come and gone and nature had no paused a second for it." Pg 90

Oh my, you were bang on about the preface. So far it's been my favourite! It was so powerful and emotional and it really made me excited to dig deeper into this book. Stedman definitely nailed the beginning of this book.

I had a good laugh at the first exchange between Isabel and Tom, this being my (other) favourite part so far.

"You're not from Partageuse."
"Nope."
"I am. Lived here all my life. Want some bread?"
"Thanks, but I'm not hungry."
"Not for you, silly! To feed the seagulls." (Chapter 1, page 21,22)

This I think is an insight on their friendship/relationship because Isabel seems like a fun, spirited girl whereas Tom, having served in WW1 is a bit more serious.

ANSWERS:

1. I think the quote is ironic because we know (if we watched the trailer) that Isabel and Tom had difficulty conceiving and birthing children and how badly they wanted to. So when the baby is washed up on the boat, Isabel is so obviously tempted into keeping the baby which in the end is an "evil" act because the baby isn't her's to keep. It signifies that they clearly know right from wrong but when handed a child like they were, their beliefs get convoluted and they (Isabel more by the looks of things) are willing to risk right from wrong for a bit of happiness.

2. As I mentioned above, I think Isabel is a younger, free spirited, fun individual. She's eager to learn about life and the people in it. Tom, being a few years older and more experienced in the would outside of Partaguese is a more private, mature, steady fellow. There's enough of the opposites that they seem to merge nicely together. And Isabel definitely sways the decisions. I really can't wait to see their relationship grow and follow them to 1926!

3. Tom is more level-headed and eager to do the right thing after what he witnessed in the war. I imagine it's difficult to live a normal life. Thought I'm not really sure I've got enough on Tom to fully answer this question yet.


I want to know what people think of a preface like this? Do you like that we got the most important event, the one the book is based off of right away? Would you rather have had that part left out until coming across it in the novel or do you enjoy reading the key part early on?

-Krystal

I really like Fassbender too, I think he was a great choice. But I almost feel like Emily Blunt would have been phenomenal choice for Isabel. Wont be able to know for sure until I watch the movie though. I can't wait!

I can't wait!! This looks like such an interesting read, and I'm really looking forward to it.