Stedman2
2014 Nominated

The Light Between Oceans

artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

Tom Sherbourne, released from the horrors of the First World War, is now a lighthouse keeper, cocooned on a remote island with his young wife Izzy, who is content in everything but her failure to have a child.
One April morning, a boat washes ashore carrying a dead man – and a crying baby. Safe from the real world, Tom and Izzy break the rules and follow their hearts.
It is a decision with devastating consequences.

 

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR M.
L. Stedman

M. L. Stedman was born in Western Australia and now lives in London. The Light Between Oceans is her first book. It has been sold in 31 territories and is due to be made into a film. In 2012, it was voted Best Historical Novel by 1.5 million voters on the Goodreads website.

M. L. Stedman was born in Western Australia and now lives in London. The Light Between Oceans is her first book. It has been sold in 31 territories and is due to be made into a film. In 2012, it was voted Best Historical Novel by 1.5 million voters on the Goodreads website.

We're sorry, but we couldn't find any translators matching your search. Please try using different keywords or check back later as we regularly update our collection.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

A moving, heart wrenching and morally compelling story. A triumphant debut novel.

Debut novel by Australian author M. L. Stedman. Wonderfully descriptive, set in a remote lighthouse (the lighthouse is almost given a human quality, like one of the characters), off the Australian coast. An emotionally charged and complex story. Decisions taken and the resulting consequences, moral dilemmas, the sustaining power of love all combine to make this a highly moving, thought-provoking read.

This book is emotionally driven. The landscape is beautiful and the characters are vivid.

After returning from hellish conditions on the battlefield of WW1 France, Tom Sherbourne and his wife Isabel find themselves on the isolated island of Janus Rock. As the lighthouse keeper, Tom is meticulous in recording detains and events until the day a dead man and a live infant wash up on the shore. This novel is a stunning debut for author Stedman; a tale of isolation, courage, and the heartbreaking choices people make and the haunting consequences they must face.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
09/05/2013
Country
United Kingdom
Original Language
English
Author
Publisher
Doubleday

RELATED FEATURES

Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner in Conversation

Watch 2026 Dublin Literary Award winner, Ali Smith, and author Belinda McKeon in conversation, which took place on 22nd May 2026 at the Dublin International Literature Festival
Video August 27 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony

Watch back the 2026 Dublin Literary Award Ceremony which took place on 21st May 2026
News May 21 2026

2026 Dublin Literary Award Winner Revealed

Discover this year's winner!
Video May 16 2026

Brigitte Giraud – Live Fast Q&A

Q&A Session with 2026 Dublin Literary Award shortlisted author Brigitte Giraud, author of Live Fast, exploring the inspirations behind her novel.

STAY CONNECTED

Stay in touch and sign up to our newsletter to receive all the latest news and updates on the Dublin Literary Award.