Sarah Anne Johnson

3.5 stars.

The Lightkeeper's Wife by Sarah Anne Johnson is an intriguing historical novel that offers an illuminating perspective into women's roles in the mid 1800s. Close attention to details provides the story with historical accuracy but it is the unusual but realistic storyline that makes it such an interesting read.

Hannah Snow's husband John inexplicably vanishes during a routine trip for supplies leaving her to maintain the lighthouse and save the survivors from the shipwrecks. One of her first rescues is William "Billy" Pike and the two grow close as Billy recovers from the injuries sustained during the shipwreck. As weeks turn into months with no word of John's whereabouts, Billy and Hannah keep the lighthouse beacon burning brightly, but it is their collaboration to streamline their rescue efforts that tightens the bond between them. But Billy is harboring some very dark secrets and when Hannah uncovers the truth about his identity, will she continue to offer him shelter?

Hannah is a very unusual woman for the time period and she is more than capable of pulling her weight around the lighthouse. While John is willing to indulge her up to a point, her need to rescue the shipwreck victims is often a point of contention between them. She is strong-willed, passionate and after John's disappearance, she never gives in to despair. In fact, she refuses to leave the lighthouse and continues with all of her duties along with John's. Hannah is confused by what she learns about Billy, and despite a few initial misgivings, the two continue working together to protect sailors from harm.

Billy is very enigmatic and at first, he gives up very little information about his past. His reminisces about Anne, a woman from his past, are rather confusing since there is little context for their relationship. However, the answers for many questions about Billy are revealed through these glimpses of his past and although it takes a while, everything eventually becomes clearer. Not 100% clear since some of the events occur abruptly with little explanation or warning and then the story quickly moves on.

By the time Billy arrives at the lighthouse, he is a much more sympathetic character, but it is difficult to forgive and in some cases, understand, some of his previous actions. He is instrumental in some much needed improvements for Hannah's rescues but do his good deeds in the present outweigh the somewhat horrible aspects from his past?

The Lightkeeper's Wife is a well-written but rather slow-paced novel. The mystery surrounding Billy drives much of the plot, but after the truth is revealed, the remainder of the story becomes a little repetitious. Sarah Anne Johnson raises some very interesting points about women's roles during the time period and it is fascinating watching Hannah maintain her position at the lighthouse despite some rather strenuous opposition. Hannah's decisions about her future are also quite interesting and the relationship between her and Billy is very unexpected. A stunning plot twist adds to the novel's uniqueness and answers some, but not all, of Hannah's questions about Billy. All in all, it is a nice read that fans of historical novels will enjoy.… (lisätietoja)

** spoiler alert **

This book explored some fascinating themes and ideas. I loved learning about gender roles and the restrictions/expectations on women in the 1840s. The author was able to incorporate those themes into her characters and their personalities in a seamless way.

I was especially kept spellbound by Annie/Blue/Billy and that journey to identifying who that character really was. Her story examined many areas of 19th century life, from the daily life on ships to how women had to survive on paradise Jamaica to the constrained world of New England. I loved how her story intersected Hannah’s and gave such a contrast on how women decided to deal with their life challenges and overcome them. I also really enjoyed how Hannah wouldn't back down from her rescue work. She decided on a set of actions, come hell, husband, or storms. I admired her all the more for it.

The author’s use of historical details shone with vibrancy and reflected the amount of research she evidently invested in. I've personally read a bit of non-fiction on life during the Age of Sail and women during that time frame. So I had a somewhat clear framework in my mind for the information. Yet, seeing those details interwoven and brought to life by these two women as they cross-dress across the bounding main, crossed swords with pirates, manned a lighthouse, and rescued sailors in dangerous waters was a new level of joy for me.

The only quibble I have would be that some of the details of the story were spoiled for me early on into the story. The main instance I have in mind was how quickly I caught onto Annie’s/Billy’s identity. Maybe it was how the breast-binding was mentioned so quickly into the story, I’m not sure. But I actually didn't think binding for broken ribs over breast-binding at all. Maybe it was all the talk about discussing gender issues mentioned on the back of the book. But that was ruined fairly early on for me.

At the end of the day, though, I was vastly entertained by this work, and I learned a few things, too. The author brings to life the detail of the period; her characters feel like they could step right off the page, they’re so vibrant. Despite some early spoilers that were probably just specific to me, I feel this book is definitely a high contender as a recommendation for lovers of historical fiction. Definitely check this one out if you enjoy the genre!… (lisätietoja)

A seaman's life for me.

Hannah was worthy to be a seaman, and Annie/Blue turned into a seaman as well as a pirate​.

Hannah and Annie knew nothing about each other, but they had things in common: both​ were headstrong for women of the 1800’s and they both loved the sea.

THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE goes back and forth between Hannah's life and Annie/Blue's connecting both characters’ lives without their knowing.

THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE is about enduring life and living a passion. You will feel Hannah's frustration as she tries to keep up the lighthouse after her husband has gone missing and only has Billy to help her.

The descriptions Ms. Johnson has of boat rescues and being at sea are amazing. Great detail in the telling of the story and the book's events keeps you reading.

I enjoyed THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE. If you enjoy the 1800's and seafaring content, you will enjoy THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WIFE.

Gorgeous cover, fantastic writing, and great research, but my rating is going to be a 3/5 because of the disconnection with some parts of the book and for the length of time it took me to figure out what was going on and the length of time it took me to figure out who the characters were.

I received this book free of charge and without compensation from the publisher in return for an honest review.​… (lisätietoja)