T-REVIEWS: THE LIGHT BETWEEN OCEANS (BOOK)

I had low expectations for the book mainly because the reviews were pretty bad. Generally, a lot of people found the book a drag and were mostly very annoyed with the main characters, Tom and Isabel (Some were real professional, to the extend of giving the characters names like Doormat and Crazy Bitch in their reviews). Me? I love them. I love them for being human, for their flaws - reminds us that good people makes bad decisions too. Most of all, I love them for sticking together through it all.

A Light Between Oceans serves to remind us all that we are only humans and that's our saving grace. Our emotions and feelings, sometimes when too overwhelming, might lead us to do things that is beyond comprehension or even, illegal.

The book discusses love and loss - a reminder that no pain comes close to the pain of losing the ones you love. It suggests that, when it comes to love, there is a grey area of what is right and what is wrong. Is doing something crazy for love a sign of courage or stupidity?

I love this line in the introduction of the book: “Justice could mean someone else’s tragic loss”. Essentially, we know that life is most of the time, unfair and we just can’t explain it. But if fairness to us might cause some others’ misery, would it be still fair? It is too mind-boggling to dwell on. Let's move on.

**SPOILER ALERT** 

The book was probably concluded in the most “proper” way; maybe a bit sad depending on how you look at it. And because I was so affected by Channing Tatum’s split with Jenna Dewan, I was very touched that Tom and Isabel’s love for each other helped them through it all. That is what “through thick and thin” means for all those 21st century Earth-dwellers out there who might not comprehend what this means. Sidetracking a bit, it is sickening to see people exchange vows in church but treat their marriage like a contract to be terminated when things don’t work out. Stay loyal people! So , yes, it was a refreshing ending to see true love prevail.

I dread the movie though. I am not sure if the actors and actresses can deliver the emotions that flows within the lines of the novel. Books are more expressive, deeper and you feel the characters because you get to go inside their thoughts. Movie depictions however doesn’t have this luxury; hence characters lose depth, unless written well.

Because I was anticipating the ending so much, I lost precious sleep over this but it was quite worth it.