M. L. Stedman, author of “The Light Between Oceans,” is no stranger to spectacular storytelling.
In her new novel, “A Far-Flung Life,” (March 2026 @simonschusterca), Stedman once again crafts a novel so enduring and captivating that I put it down several times to savour the characters and make the story last. A generational family saga that is a page-turner of the finest order, “A Far-Flung Life” is set in Western Australia’s outback on the million acres that make up Meredith Downs.
A thoughtful deeply engaging history of the MacBride family, whose lives are defined and redefined by tragedies and secrets, the family unit is held together by matriarch Lorna MacBride and is enriched by the strong cast of characters that Stedman is so adept at creating.
Life and the search to undo what has been done, coupled with the quest for belonging and the resilience to keep going when the heart says otherwise, deeply underscore the narrative, forcing the reader to make decisions on who and what can be forgiven, and who and what must be held in disdain. That is, until love and a deep understanding and respect emerges for the characters involved, and then softer hearts prevail.
The story begins when Phil, Lorna’s husband and the patriarch of the family, swerves to avoid a “roo” (kangaroo) on the road, his sons, Warren and Matt in the car with him. Tragically, while Phil had taught his boys never to swerve to avoid hitting a “roo” that is exactly what he does that fatal day, leaving Lorna husbandless and without her son Warren.
Tragedy becomes a constant visitor, a family member in fact, as Matt tries to fight his way back, physically, emotionally, and mentally from the accident and the inherent repercussions. It is a journey that will impact and control decades of his life as he deals with the unconscious and unintentional actions he takes with his sister Rose.
Threats of miners staking claims on Meredith Downs, widespread rumours about Pete, the “roo hunter,” which are exacerbated by the nosey postmistress, and the new sergeant in town, who refuses to accept the irregularities surrounding Rose MacBride’s death, inspire the community to close ranks around the MacBride family faster than a retreating sand crab.
The charming forgetments, an important and integral part of life for the MacBride family are the important threads – sometimes the only threads– that keep the family whole and intact.
A journey of comprised morals, family loyalty and deep-seated turmoil and love, “A Far-Flung Life” is a must-read for anyone who loves the historical sweep of an enduring and poignant family saga. @scribnerbooks #A FarFlung Life #M.L.Stedman
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Cece is the feature cover writer for several prestigious publications both in print and online, and an informed, connected and enthusiastic book blogger at cecescott.com. Her first book, “The Love Story,” was published in 2019.
All three of her books, which includes “Nunzio Tumino: A Pocketful of Dreams: An Immigrant’s Journey,” and “Helping People One Hand At A Time” are available at Amazon.ca : cece m scott