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The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

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The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter

By: Hazel Gaynor
Narrated by: Imogen Church
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Summary

 ‘Exquisite… a clear head and shoulders above the rest’ Sunday Independent

1838: when a terrible storm blows up off the Northumberland coast, Grace Darling, the lighthouse-keeper’s daughter, knows there is little chance of survival for the passengers on the small ship battling the waves. But her actions set in motion an incredible feat of bravery that echoes down the century.
1938: when nineteen-year-old Matilda Emmerson sails from across the Atlantic to New England, she faces an uncertain future. Sent away in disgrace, she must stay with her reclusive relative, Harriet Flaherty, a lighthouse keeper on Rhode Island. Once there, Matilda discovers a discarded portrait that opens a window on to a secret that will change her life forever.

©2018 Hazel Gaynor (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers Limited 20th Century Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Women's Fiction Heartfelt

Critic reviews

‘Atmospheric’ My Weekly

‘Shines a brilliant light on female courage and endurance…A splendid read’ Kate Quinn, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Alice Network

‘This exquisite, thoroughly researched book places her a clear head and shoulders above the rest.’ Sunday Independent

‘Beautiful, heart-wrenching yet life affirming – I loved it.’ Fionnuala Kearney author of You, Me and Other People

‘A compelling read, the best kind of historical fiction.’ Portobello Book Blog

‘So absorbing, I couldn’t put it down.’ Book Chat

‘Hazel delivers a cast of strong, courageous women for readers to fall in love with.’ writing.ie
All stars
Most relevant
Beautiful, heartwarming and heartbreaking. A history I didn't know existed. A must read for everyone!

loved it

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This is a beautiful tale about love, honour, and courage. It is a story for mothers, daughters, aunties and grannies. It's a little less nuanced at the end... but I don't want to give spoilers. Imogen Church has just the right voice for the narration. My hat is off to her for accomplishing a good representation of all the different dialects!

A wonderfully woven tale

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I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this story, I thought I might have been a bit predictable and bland. It was in fact, excellent. Really well written and beautifully performed. I got swept up in the lives of the characters and ended up listening to the hole book over 4 days. A tale about finding courage to be yourself and finding a place in the world. Imogen Church makes the lives of the characters real, you feel their love and pain and hope. If you like Sarah Winnman, celest Ng, Rachel Joyce I think you will like this too.

Loved it

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I love Hazel Gaynors prose, she makes you feel the surroundings like you are actually there. Imogen Church's narration is faultless, her great talent is the varied voices and characters. I will miss this book greatly

took my breath away

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The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter by Hazel Gaynor audiobook narrated by Imogen Church published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. Listened to using Audible 4 stars.
I was drawn to this title because part of it is based on Grace Darling a young woman who in 1838 with her father rowed a boat out from their lighthouse to rescue people from a shipwreck. The ship was wrecked during a terrible storm on rocks nearby, Grace saw the ship hit the rocks in the early hours one dark morning. When at first light Grace saw some people scrambling over the rocks Grace and her father set off in their small boat to try and rescue them. They managed to save 1 woman who lost her 2 young children in the wreck.
The second half of the book is mainly set in New England, where 19-year-old Matilda is sent from her home in Ireland when she finds herself to be pregnant and unwed. She is sent to stay with her reclusive relative Harriet a lighthouse keeper on Rhode Island. While there Matilda discovers a discarded portrait that opens a secret that will change her life forever.
I first read a story of Grace Darling when I was a child (50 odd years ago) and it stuck with me ever since. I enjoyed this book and listening to Grace Darlings story a little more and what happened to her after the rescue.

Enjoyable story

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