Jeanette Aplin: The Lighthouse Keeper's wife

By MARGIE THOMSON

This autobiographical account of Aplin's time with her husband and two small children on remote Stephens Island is forthright, captivating in its enthusiasm and quite delightful.

She's a great storyteller, with a great story to tell although, that said, it's the small domestic details that also fascinate, the mother-and-baby things, the wafting smell of the ubiquitous roast dinners, the cunning thriftiness that edged its way into the world view of the children of Depression-era parents.

The Aplins travelled to Stephens Island in 1966 to live among a very small community (three families) of lighthouse keepers.

Their optimistic practicality, coupled with a romantic love of the wild open space in which they were living, and an appreciation of the famous wildlife on the island (it's a stronghold of the tuatara) made them just the people for the job.

Cape Catley

$29.95