M.L. Stedman’s second novel centers on the McBride family who own a large sheep ranch in western Australia. In 1958 the father, Phil, is riding over his vast property with his two sons. Phil swerves to avoid hitting a kangaroo. The car turns over killing Phil, his oldest son, Warren, and severely injuring his younger son, Matt. While Matt is recovering from injuries to both his body and his brain, he does something horrendous. This act will affect Matt and the remaining McBride family for decades.

I loved Stedman’s first novel, The Light Between Oceans and eagerly looked forward to her second. Although it took 14 years, I was not disappointed. It takes a while to get immersed in A Far-Flung Life, but it is definitely worth the wait.