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Dcmontreal wrote: "Hello,
I enjoyed "The Light Between Oceans" very much. Not only the storyline including the tough moral questions the characters faced, but the description of life in Australia. Not big city Australia, but the small town, local experience. Your depictions reminded me of the writing of Nevil Shute. Was his writing an influence on you? ..."


Hi Dcmontreal,
Glad you enjoyed the book. I enjoyed writing about the small town Australian experience. I have to confess that Nevil Shute is one of many authors whose work I ought to have read, but haven’t, so I can’t claim him as an influence. It’s an honour that my book brought his writing to mind though � thank you.

Cindy wrote: "Hi M.L.
This book became one of my favorites right away. I love to read and look forward to reading more of your books. I just started my own bookclub and have told all the others about this great story. My question is how do find the topics for your stories. Is it a personal experience or are you fortunate to have a keen imagination? Keep up the great work!..."

Hi Cindy,
Congratulations on starting your book club � I hope it goes well.
The plot of THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS isn’t based on personal experience, other than to the extent that it’s set in Western Australia, where I’m from, so the landscape and weather hopefully have an authentic feel.

Christy wrote: "I was so excited to read something so original. The words were melodic and the theme left me thinking about choices, morals and desire. I am 39 and cannot have children. Obviously, I spent a lot of time thinking on this plot. I'm curious: I have decided what I would have done. What would you have done?
..."

Hi Christy,
Thanks so much for joining in the discussion. From your mention of your own circumstances, I imagine you would have much to bring to the reading of the story. As you’ll have seen from answers above, I leave it up to each reader to decide what they would have done, and I think if I were to answer your question, I might influence that decision. Thanks for the encouragement to keep writing!

Marcia wrote: "What can you tell us about the film adaptation? Has it been green-lighted (green-lit?)? At what stage is its development? Ideally, who would you like to see cast in the major roles? Where would you like for it to be shot? ..."

Hi Marcia,
I can’t say much about the film, other than that the project is in good hands. Of course, I’d love to see it shot in Western Australia, but I'm biased!

Jean wrote: "Also meant to say, I found the story extremely traumatic.
Jean"

If it’s any consolation, Jean, so did I!

I read the book as we traveled California's Pacific Coast Highway. We had a 3 hour tour of a once remote lighthouse on a huge mountain like rock (just north of Big Sur and south of Carmel). It was supplied every 3~4 months, had chickens blow off and many many similarities. Your story elevated a weekend trip into a fabulous experience. Thank you for this gift. (Suggesting this to my book club)

Beth wrote: "I read the book as we traveled California's Pacific Coast Highway. We had a 3 hour tour of a once remote lighthouse on a huge mountain like rock (just north of Big Sur and south of Carmel). It was supplied every 3~4 months, had chickens blow off and many many similarities. It was a fabulous experience. Thank you for this gift...."

What a perfect place to read the book, Beth. The lighthouse tour sounds fabulous: lightkeepers all over the world led pretty tough lives, didn't they? I've been amazed how many people have come up to me at readings to tell me stories of a grandparent or a great uncle who worked 'on the Lights'. Often it was passed down through the generations, it seems. Now I have to find an excuse to visit the Big Sur lighthouse...

Angela wrote: "Aloha from Hawaii!

I also loved your book. I generally read for enjoyment yet your book entertained me while still encouraging deep thought on the issues. That is NOT something I would say for most other thought provoking books. Was that the intent when you wrote the book, to encourage readers to really think through the issues? Or was your main goal in writing the story to work out these issues for yourself?

Thank you for your time in answering our questions. ..."

Thanks for the question, Angela. I think to begin I was simply finding out what these people were doing. Then as the story developed I really enjoyed looking at the dilemma from different angles - I had no idea how it would be resolved. Any thought of readers other than my self came a very long way down the track. I'm really pleased to hear that it both kept you reading and got you thinking.

Kate wrote: "This book was absolutely amazing.. I read it then I read again right after! I couldn't get enough of it. Can't wait for you to write more!!"

So glad you enjoyed it, Kate!

+ Dragonfly+ wrote: "All the while I was reading this book I could see it as a movie, any chance it may become one?"

Yup � fingers crossed Dragonfly�

Allie wrote: "Dear M.L.,

Thank you for the wonderful read. I don't remember the last time a book made me cry/moved me so much and it was a pleasure reading your fantastic writing. I was curious to know where you started your research/acquired your knowledge regarding lighthouse keeper procedures and lifestyles?..."


Thanks, Allie. I researched gradually, initially just gleaning information from lighthouse enthusiast sites on the web (of which there are many excellent ones), then I researched in the British library, reading up on the technical manuals of Chance Brothers, or the life of Augustin Fresnel. As well as reading many books about lighthouses, I visited them, trawled the Australian National Archives, and just generally became geekily obsessed with them.

hi. i just have to say that i loved the book. i am even buying a new copy to gift to my mother-in-law for mother's day.

Thanks so much,Tonya. I hope she enjoys it!

Emily wrote: "As a mother, this book held so many emotions for me. I can completely relate to Isabel's feelings after losing her children because my first baby was stillborn. I felt that you captured the broken heart of a mother, both of them, so well in your writing.

My question: Were you satisfied with Lucy-Grace being with Hannah or did you feel that she really should have been with Isabel? ..."

Emily, as a writer it’s heartening to hear that you felt the story captured something you could relate through such difficult personal experience. As you’ll see in my responses elsewhere, I’d rather leave it up to each reader to answer the question you ask. I’m interested in exploring those areas in life where there’s not just a simple, easy answer, and I think this was one of them.

That said, occasionally readers tell me that the whole thing is very black and white, and that very clearly [Tom/Isabel/Hannah � delete as applicable depending on which reader I’m talking to] is clearly in the [wrong/right � ditto]. I often think that the book is rather like an inkblot test in that respect.

Debbie wrote: "As a reader who has met people who grew up on lighthouse islands, I wondered if you talked to anyone like that in order to capture the isolation and freedom so well."

Hi Debbie,
Since the book was published I’ve met lots of people with lightkeepers ‘in the family�, but while I was writing it, I relied on documents, including their correspondence, and one or two old sound recordings and films in archives.

You are too kind...and btw, it took me 27 years to be published. Thanks for your generous replies to all of us!

Laurie wrote: "I have recommended this magnificent book to many people. I was torn by the emotions of the people who lost the baby as well as the people who found her, including the grandparents, whose hearts would also have been wrenched apart. Did you need long breaks while you were writing it? I read and re-read many of the lovely passages, but I also took long breaks from it because it was such an emotionally draining story...."


Hi Laurie,
Thanks so much for your kind words. Yes, it was emotionally draining to write some of it, but I never wanted to take a break from it � it’s that intensity that makes its way onto the page and into the mind of the reader, perhaps. I think one has to be entirely undefended from the inner life of the story � that’s where the really interesting stuff comes up.

Doreen wrote: "Question: Do you have feelings toward your characters or do you write as more of an observer?

I ask this because at different spots in the story, I felt quite hateful toward Isabel. While I certainly felt compassion for the inability for her children to survive, I had a hard time looking past her deep selfishness. My alliance was with Hannah.

It was very sad that Isabel never again saw the child, but to me, that was her penance for her selfishness and for all the angst and emptiness felt by Hannah, believing she had lost both her husband and daughter. Both women's situations did make me cry, however. ..."


Isabel seems to divide readers, Doreen. You’re not the first ‘Pro-Hannah� reader I’ve come across (but there again, I’ve also met hundreds of ‘Pro-Isabel readers too).
I definitely have feelings toward my characters � or maybe, more accurately, I feel what the characters are feeling. So writing the story was incredibly emotional some days. And of course I have my favourites � Tom above all. I think he’s a good man, who deeply cares about doing what’s right, in an almost impossible situation.

Libby wrote: "Another question:
I loved the metaphore of the two oceans symbolizing the two mothers both trying to reach Lucy Grace (the lighthouse).
What is your favourite metaphore in the book?"


Hi Libby,
I think the lighthouse itself is probably the richest metaphor in the book. Themes of light and shadow, safety and danger, journey and stasis all reflect aspects of the story.

Yvonne wrote: "My book club is reading your amazing book right now. Who do you see as playing Tom in the movie?"



I honestly have no idea, Yvonne. It’s actually a lot of fun hearing readers� ‘fantasy cast lists� for the movie (my family and friends also tell me very authoritatively who should play whom), so I’d be delighted to hear your views (not that I have anything to do with the casting process!)

I hope your book club enjoys the book.

Overthemoon wrote: "In my GR review of your wonderful debut novel, I wrote:

"It will test your ability to empathize when a moral bridge has been crossed. In the end, this novel reminds us not to judge too harshly, unless you have truly walked in another persons shoes. And finally, that forgiveness is easier than revenge or anger".

Can you comment on whether you were writing your story with a message, and if so, what you most hoped to communicate. ..."


I love the review, Overthemoon. I like to leave it up to readers to decide what to take away from the book, so I didn’t have a ‘message� as such. Someone described it as ‘a meditation on forgiveness�, and I think there’s something in that. Above all, I wanted readers to feel, and to think for themselves.

Heidi wrote: "I live near Albany and love your descriptions of the countryside around here. I am wondering if you have been to any of the lighthouses in the area and spent a bit of time there, eg Breaksea Island - or talked to / read accounts of past lighthousekeepers in the area.
Loved your novel and its moral dilemmas really moved me. Looking forward to your next book! ..."



Hello Heidi,
Gosh � you’re virtually on the doorstep of Tom & Isabel. (For readers who don’t know the area, Albany - unlike Point Partageuse - is a real place, and is very beautiful.)
I read a lot about Breaksea and Eclipse lighthouses, and went through the Australian National Archives, reading the old log books and the correspondence files of the keepers. These gave me a real sense of the type of man who worked ‘on the Lights� and the difficulties they faced. I also read a lot of newspapers of the period, which had reports from time to time of tragedies which befell them. I spent time in Augusta, and visited the Cape Naturaliste and Leeuwin lighthouses, which were fascinating.

Linda wrote: "You are too kind...and btw, it took me 27 years to be published. Thanks for your generous replies to all of us!"

So you had plenty of time to really hone your craft - I'll bet your writing when you did get published had moved on from where it started, because, amongst other things, you'd acquired decades of wisdom about life. Keep enjoying the writing life.

Hello!
I don't see my path but I know that one day I'll reach the end of it ,, ill reach my aim
Yeah, I'm a teenage girl who interested to be a writer , I think that I have a great stories to share with the world,,
So an small advice will change my life,, please .
For a girl who lives in a far place ,, far from this world ,,
What should I do to be myself and to reach my goal?! :$

Having read the synopsis of your book, I had many doubts as to whether I, as an adoptive mother, wanted to read this book or not. In the end, I read it and felt myself torn apart by the intense feelings of both Hannah, the “birth mother�, and Isobel, the “adoptive mother�. I was dreading the custody battle that was inevitable from the moment that Isobel decided to keep Lucy. I felt that your portrayal of Tom, Isobel, and Hannah and their emotional states throughout the entire process was very acute and intensely accurate. I felt like I was on an emotional roller-coaster throughout my reading of the story. I have recommended this book highly to my friends.

Mimi wrote: "Having read the synopsis of your book, I had many doubts as to whether I, as an adoptive mother, wanted to read this book or not. In the end, I read it and felt myself torn apart by the intense feelings of both Hannah, the “birth mother�, and Isobel, the “adoptive mother�. I was dreading the custody battle that was inevitable from the moment that Isobel decided to keep Lucy. I felt that your portrayal of Tom, Isobel, and Hannah and their emotional states throughout the entire process was very acute and intensely accurate. I felt like I was on an emotional roller-coaster throughout my reading of the story. I have recommended this book highly to my friends. ..."


Mimi, I'm so glad you decided to read the book, and that it rang true to you. Thanks for recommending it too!

It's getting late in London now, so I'll say goodbye. Thanks to everyone who posted questions, and also to the people who just wanted to say they liked the book - much appreciated. I'm sorry if I didn't get to answer every question individually - hopefully all the subjects have been covered one way or another, though.

It's been great to hear your thoughts about the book, and I hope you'll go on discussing it amongst yourselves - there are so many points of view expressed in this thread...

Thanks too, to Margo at Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ for hosting the session, and to the wider Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ community for all your support for THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS. Have a great weekend,
Best wishes,
M

Our Book Club is reviewing you book next week. Is there any things that surprised you while you were writing this book? Where did your inspiration come from? Why did you decide to have them return the baby? Any other thought provoking questions...

Can someone create a compilation of all of the questions she answered (and her answers, of course)? For some reason, I keep seeing the same comments and answers over and over, but not all of them. Moderator? Is this something you could do?

Thanks for your comments. I will keep Janus Rock in my imagination and will have good discussions with my book club about this wonderful story.
Best wishes and thanks for answering this forum.
Marge Geiger

I keep getting copies of all the questions asked but I want to see what the author says and I am not getting any of the answers he has made. How do I see what he has said. Please someone let me know where I go on this page to hear the discussion that the author has made.

Billye wrote: "I keep getting copies of all the questions asked but I want to see what the author says and I am not getting any of the answers he has made. How do I see what he has said. Please someone let me k..."

The author is a "she" and her answers are all above in this thread. If you go to post #104, that's when she starts her answers...at the top of each post by her will be "M.L. Author of The Light Between Oceans"

The Light Between Oceans was such a great read, beautifully written too with numerous quotes that I had to jot down because they were just so beautiful. I like how you portrayed the beauty of motherhood in this novel especially through Isabel's dialogue with Tom. While writing this novel, who did you intend to have the greater fault in their mistake of claiming the baby as their own? Isabel or Tom? They both have faults on this matter but I must say halfway through the book I just couldnt handle Isabel and I felt terribly bad for Tom especially since he took the blame in the end. It left me feeling pretty sad I must say and during the book I felt pity for most of the characters because I knew the consequence they were to endure would not be good but the way it was written was such a page turner and the pace of the unraveling of Lucy's real mother was great. Mixed emotions in the end such mixed emotions like I've never read anywhere else before.

Marsha wrote: "I favoured Hannah because Isabel, in effect, stole Hannah's baby! Doesn't matter if her intentions were good (which they weren't - they were selfish). When the boat washed up, Grace should have bee..."

I must say I agree, Isabel's intentions of keeping the baby seemed selfish and pity for oneself I felt quite annoyed at her halfway towards the book but on the other hand, I see how she suffered so much and thought that what she was doing was the right thing.