The Lighthouse Keeper's Daughter

Another wonderful story by Hazel Gaynor! Just imagining living and working at a lighthouse in those times!

This is a powerful dual narrative of female empowerment. Stories with multiple narrators such as this are incredibly engaging because the central themes are explored through different voices across time and space. Instead of getting one voice, you get four main voices in this novel: Matilda and Harriett, and Grace and Sarah. With a hundred years and an ocean separating the two pairs, the theme of courage is consistently expressed and is always grounded alongside a lighthouse setting, a setting which is both a beacon and a prison, a source of isolation and storms, and a source of family and connection. A romantic plot between Grace and George gives the novel much of its pull and is executed, no pun intended, gracefully. George is given a voice at points in the novel, but it is quite small as it seems Gaynor’s intentions were to have primarily female voices in the novel. That said, it seems curious that the female voice of George’s cousin and fiancé is completely ignored. She is sidelined because of his true affection for Grace, and while that plot is captivating, it’s interesting that the fiancé’s voice is relegated to the background while the other female voices are propped up. I found both the 1838 section with Grace and the 1938 section with Matilda to be very compelling. Matilda’s pregnancy and disconnect from her parents would probably be relatable to many teenagers in similar situations. The storm depictions, while violent like nature can be, are also quite beautiful.

The characters where all so lovable. It's a beautiful story about love and doing what's right. Following your heart without having to please others.