The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor – Audio

Book Blurb:

1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her twenty-two years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads, and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart.

1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen-years-old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love.

My Review: 4 stars

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The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter brought me to mid 19th century England and the story of a heroic and real life woman, Grace Darling. Her story is infamous and is perhaps one that would be an answer to a jeopardy question, so I’m glad I know of her now. Of course, I spent time researching Ms. Darling and learned more about her life until her sad and early end. The other characters in this book were so richly realized, I had a hard time believing they weren’t based on real people too. Especially Mr. George Emmerson, I would’ve loved that storyline and romance to be based on truth.

Besides the aforementioned Grace Darling, there are two other fictionalized characters, Matilda and Harriet, who were strong women for their time. All three displayed a courageous spirit, a curious mind and were proudly independent. Great women role models live in this book!

In both timelines, I learned more than expected about the people who keep Lighthouses. I could feel their dedication, courage and loneliness. I see why this job often stays within the family that inhabits Lighthouses; it’s all they know, this quiet life. I didn’t realize how much science is behind keeping a lighthouse; I’m not sure that had ever occurred to me.

This book is told in two distinct timelines, a century apart, one in England and one in the states. I enjoyed both storylines quite a bit, yet it was often jarring to jump from one to the other. Perhaps this was due to the audio version and the many accents the narrator had to assume that got me confused. I wonder if reading this would have made me feel differently. Either way, both time periods were woven together with skill and delicacy. I recommend this book to readers looking for historical fiction that are not focused on war.

Quotes I liked:

I’ve seen how often women marry and become less of themselves, like scraps of pastry cut away and reused in some other, less important way.”

-“But it isn’t just her face he can’t forget. It’s the particular sense of purpose and determination that dripped from her like honey from a spoon. So slender in form and yet so immense in personality and character.

-“She gazes up at me with eyes the color of winter seas and I see in her some greater wisdom; as if she understands that she is not just my daughter, but the sum of generations of strong courageous women who came before her, an echo of them all lingering in her soul.