One book that seemingly all historical fiction lovers were talking about back in 2012 was M.L. Stedman's The Light Between Oceans. And now, 14 years later, readers have been treated to her second novel, A Far-Flung Life. Set in mid-century Australia, the story follows the MacBride family and the life they made themselves in the vast, dry land.
The Situation: It is 1958, and three of the MacBride family members head out on a routine errand in relation to their sheep station. No on realizes that this will be the day that everything changes, and when Phil MacBride swerves to avoid hitting a kangaroo, the result is a crash that alters what was a fairly predictable trajectory for the whole family. The following years will be difficult for Matt as he recovers, while also piecing together his memories of what happened. Phil's wife, Lorna, will do her best to hold her family together, which includes their daughter. Rosie has made it a point to never accept responsibility for anything she has ever done, but the guilt over the crash continues to eat away at her.
The Problem: While Matt makes great strides in his recovery, Rosie makes one questionable decision after another, until she eventually returns home after having left abruptly months before, and with a baby in tow. Not only does Rosie refuse to name the baby's father, but she also refuses to name the baby. Many in the area feel that the MacBrides have already been through enough, but it seems fate is still not done with them, and the next few years will have Matt coming to terms with everything that has happened, while also wondering if happiness is something he can have while knowing what he knows, and having done what he did.
Genre, Theme, History: This is a historical fiction novel that begins in 1958 in western Australia, where the MacBride family is in charge of large amounts of land for their sheep station. The book will continue on through time, with the majority of the pages being devoted to 1969, where the MacBrides continue in their work, despite the unreliable weather; the threat of mining corporations hungry for what is underneath the land; and people in the community that are always keen for a bit of gossip or news. Both guilt and grief are big themes in this book, as well as secrets with enough weight that they can crush a person. And then there is the setting of a part of Australia that rarely gets the attention that the big cities on the eastern coast of the country receive, here laid out in its vastness and scale.
My Verdict: Bold and courageous narrative choices are made from the beginning in this book, and they are shocking, and devastating, and interesting, and make for a heck of a way to start what ends up being an incredible family epic. Add in the setting of the incredibly large and open western Australia landscape, and the story takes on the feel of something Steinbeck would have written. If I had one issue about the book it would be that the ending feels rushed. Readers are taken on this incredible journey through this family's trials, and it wraps up so quickly (though not cleanly) in a third part that is less than 30 pages. And there is one threat to the MacBride family's biggest secret that disappears so easily, though I do not think most readers will mind its removal.
Favorite Moment: Matt is nearly completely altered after the crash, but he turns into someone able to confront bullies with wisdom and discernment.
Favorite Character: It would be a tie between Matt and Pete Peachey, a man who roams the MacBride family's land and keeps the kangaroo population under control.
Recommended Reading: I do recommend The Light Between Oceans for those that have not read it, as well as East of Eden by John Steinbeck.
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