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There are currently 37 member reviews
for The Woman at the Light
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Adelia S. (Livingston, MT)
The Woman at the Light
A great story. From the prologue I was hooked. Emily says "I recall the bitter and the sweet, the grief and the rapture--for in my life, the one cannot be chronicled without the other." And so goes the story. I will recommend this one to my book club.
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Jan T. (Leona Valley, CA)
The Woman at the Light
Wonderful! It is easy to be carried away to antebellum Key West. The story is woven around a female lighthouse keeper in the 19th century and the issues of her time. Slavery, feminism, and a forbidden love. Very rewarding book
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Laurie F. (Brookline, MA)
Engrossing Tale of Forbidden Love
Fabulous read! You will delve into the loves and life of Emily Lowry, the heroine of this novel - plan to stay up at night as you live her life, sympathize with her tragedies and delight in her good times. Well written, identifiable characters and realistic settings. Pick this one for a great escape.
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Kristin P. (Reston, VA)
A Summer-worthy historical fiction read
The Woman at the Light is historical fiction that transports you to another era in Old Key West. The greatest strength of the book is the rich historical setting. The character development, however, seems very 2-dimensional and at times feels forced to support the story. Overall, this is a fast read great for summer.
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Grace S. (Harrison Township, MI)
The Woman at the Light
An enjoyable read with a descriptive history of Key West in the 1800s as well as insight into the role of women and slavery .... all interwoven with family dynamics and a love story.
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Barbara L. (Mill Valley, CA)
The Woman at the Light
I really liked this book. Emily Lowry is a character that resonates with the reader. Her growth and transformation from a pampered,wealthy young Southern woman to a strong, courageous independent woman whose eyes were opened to the ways of the world from which she had always been sheltered was compelling. How she learned to follow her heart and defy the strict societal mores of her day provided for a very satisfying read. This would be a great book for book club discussions, as there are many aspects to consider, among them slavery, Key West history and miscegenation. A good read!
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Audrey C. (Canfield, OH)
The Woman at the Light
Joanna Bradley in The Woman at the Light introduces us to an aged Emily Lowery as she tends five graves: two deceased husbands, a sister, beloved Gran, and the only man she ever loved. The reader begins a powerful journey from New Orleans, Key West to Wreckers' Cay. The story is gripping, happy, sad, breathtaking, hopeful, etc.; all part of Emily's struggles of growing.
Certainly, life is the dominated slave of time and, yet, we observe that only love can bring euphoria to life. Emily is an immature romantic, a disappointed newlywed, a mother, a widow, a lighthouse keeper, again in another unfulfilled marriage, another death, and a forbidden love that becomes the ultimate love of her life!
Even though Emily lives in a society where men prevail, women can't vote or take charge, she proves that she can prevail albeit with multiple struggles and deaths. She proclaims, "happiness comes but once and then only if we are very lucky." Indeed, she finally attains a happiness that takes the reader by surprise and slowly the mysterious turn in her life is revealed.
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