Author
Chatting to M.L. Stedman, author of ‘The Light Between Oceans’
At London Book Fair last month, I was invited to the launch of M.L. Stedman’s stunning debut novel The Light Between Oceans. Armed with a glass of bubbly and masses of admiration, I was delighted to chat to the author – Margot – about the novel. She was absolutely lovely. I may have gushed a little too much. Here’s the resulting feature interview for www.writing.ie
“… a collection of short stories inspired by the plangent, romantic landscape of imperiled mansions, trench warfare and Anglo-American overlap, contains nine loamy tributes to the genre. These miniatures center on Nov. 11, 1918, the day the Great War ended and its memory began.”
“Gaynor’s talent for evoking a time and place, as well as her ability to write a beautifully heart-wrenching story with realistic characters, enables her to touch readers. The unexpected twists and turns of the plot and jumping of timelines holds readers’ attention to the satisfying climax.”
“The Girl Who Came Home follows on the centenary remembrance of the Titanic in 2012. Is the world ready for yet another account of this tragedy? With this novel, the answer is a resounding yes.”
“Hazel Gaynor captures both the heartache and hope of England between the Wars in this richly imagined novel peopled with unforgettable characters, impossible ambitions and unexpected twists of fate. Once begun, I dare you to put it down.”
“For fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society comes another terrific epistolary historical novel that is simply unputdownable [...] this remarkable novel will undoubtedly go on my keeper shelf.”
"I adored The Cottingley Secret ... Gaynor has penned, in majestic prose, an enchanting and enthralling tale of childhood magic, forgotten dreams, and finding the parts of ourselves we thought were lost forever"
Subscribe to get all the latest information direct from Hazel…
My wife and I have just finished The Light Between Oceans. We thought it was brilliant in concept clever in detail, easy to read and flows well with some top quality expression. 5star by us. Well done and write some more please Margot. Look us up if ever in Melbourne.
I have just finished The Light Between Oceans, it caused such a strong emotional response in me as a reader, I can even admit to a few tears. Even though the set up was maybe a little coincidental for my liking, the descriptive language and vivid recall of the wild southern ocean and its surviving islands, gripped at my homesick heart. The moral hardship that Tom’s character endured as well as the way supporting character’s reacted expressed exceptionally well.
I just finished The Light Between Oceans and I cried so hard at the end, when my husband comes home tonight he’s going to think something awful has happened. This book was spellbinding and so beautifully told, the characters took on a real life to me as I read. I’m looking forward to more work by this wonderful author, but I hope the next book has a happy ending!
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I’VE READ IN A LONG TIME. BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN—CAN’T WAIT FOR YOUR NEXT ONE.
CLAIRE SCIARAPPA
Read it and loved it. Not only was the story interesting but the writing was exceptional. Can’t wait for her second effort.