What do readers think of The Edge of the Earth by Christina Schwarz? Write your own review.

At first I thought "The Edge of the Earth" was going to be one of the many haunted lighthouse mysteries that I've encountered. I was duly impressed that that was not the case. Yes, there is a mystery involved, but it doesn't overwhelm the storyline of the supplanting of an almost rich city girl to the solitude of a desolate piece of rocky earth.
The shell, animal, sea-life examination was somewhat reminiscent of Tracy Chevalier's fascinating "Remarkable Creatures". But where "Creatures" is largely about artifacts, Schwarz's "Edge" more about relationships, choices and survival, although I thoroughly enjoyed her explanations of the tidal pool and it's inhabitants. I read the book in one day (and night), finding it difficult to put down.

I read this book in nearly one sitting. I admit though, that it took me awhile to get into it and I had to go back and figure out who was narrating in the first part. At the end of the book it was very clear.

The story was a real snapshot into that era. Trudy's defiance in marrying who she wanted and ultimate resolve in living with that decision was inspiring.

Once the action started rolling in regards to the "mermaid", that is when the wow factor really kicked in. The fact that all the characters were living in such close quarters and yet there were so many secrets was just spine tingling. The end was almost like just rewards or just punishment.

I would definitely recommend this book to other readers & book clubs. There would be a lot to discuss. I am going to go back and re read "Drowning Ruth" again. I remember being "wowed" by that too.

Loved the book Drowning Ruth and the The Edge of the Earth did not disappoint at all! Christina Schwarz did a great job with this novel. I was sorry to have it come to an end, and even more surprised at the twist! I would recommend this book to book clubs as I am sure there would be much discussion.

Christina Schwarz's poetic style of writing and colorful, diverse characters make this a delightful read. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. It's a story of love, understanding and accepting the differences of others, overcoming difficult situations and finding one's place in life.

Tough living on a mountain maintaining a light house. This book is written very well and the author brings the characters to life. Different plot than most but very intriguing. Good read and you want to finish in one reading.

This was one of those books where you stayed up or hurried home to continue reading. You sympathized with the challenges and emotions of the characters. You also became part of the isolated community on the island. Highly recommend if you are in the mood for a good story.

The Edge of the Earth is a captivating tale of people who are not as they initially seem, and a place that is so much more than it first appears. Trudy is a young woman at the turn of the century, who is intellectually curious and bright. She is expected, however, to behave as a proper young woman, marry her childhood friend, and settle into the life of a housewife in 1880s Milwaukee. Instead, she meets the mercurial and ambitious Oskar, who is determined to make his mark as an inventor, discoverer, revealer of some great truth, any great truth, to the world. They marry and Oskar takes a job as a lighthouse keeper across the country in a remote area of coastal California. The other keepers on the island are a seemingly stolid and serious family, the Crawleys, mother, father, four children, and the wife's brother. But Trudy's life changes dramatically as she learns the rhythms of life on the island, explores the fascinating natural world around her, and finds out that the Crawleys are so much more than they first appear. There are secrets and more hidden in the rocky coastline and in the woods and sea around her. (The descriptions of the natural world and the state of 19th century science is a bonus.) At the same time, her husband grows more and more obsessed and detached from reality. This riveting story drew me in gradually, but finally, I was not able to put it down. It is ultimately a story of strength and redemption, and I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it. There are a few unlikely coincidences, and perhaps some shaky plot devices, but they are comparably minor. This would be a great choice for a book club.

Readers who enjoy protagonists who change over the course of a story and readers who enjoy an evocation of place will both enjoy this book. Christina Schwarz is a writer gifted with the ability to bring characters to life on the page. Female characters are particularly strong in The Edge of the Earth.

Trudy's transformation from a young, properly raised urbanite to a strong marine biologist is carefully and realistically traced. The gorgeous and foreboding northern California coast also comes to life. Schwarz's descriptions of the fog slowly rolling back from the coast mirror the way secrets are slowly revealed in the characters lives. Lighthouse lovers will enjoy the descriptions of the hard work of keeping the light on in the late nineteenth century, before electricity took over. I couldn't put this book down. I think book clubs would enjoy it.