Eva (Vicki) has a lovely
explanation in her author’s note of how the lighthouse inspired her:
The
lighthouse setting and grounds are as wonderful as described. It is not
however, a library. Nor is it large enough to house a collection of books,
offices, staff rooms, two staircases or even an apartment.
But it
is large enough to accommodate my imagination. And I hope the readers’ also.
Luckily, the old
adage "third time's a charm" proved true, and a third lighthouse was
planned and began construction in 1871. This lighthouse was moved further North
and further inland to a 15 acre site, and was nearly double the height of its
predecessors. A lighthouse keepers' duplex was constructed at about the same
time, and by 1872, the lighthouse was in operation, providing a beacon to
passing ships with a First Order Fresnel Lens. In 1932, the Bodie Island
Lighthouse became automated, and by 1953 it had been transferred into the care
of the National Park Service.
The National Park website
describes the climb inside the lighthouse:
The Bodie Island Lighthouse has
just over 200 steps from the ground to the top, equal to climbing a 10-story
building. The narrow stairs have a handrail only on one side, one-way traffic,
and 9 landings.
While there is no library in the
lighthouse it remains a striking landmark on the Outer Banks.
Trip Advisor has it rated the 2nd
of 8 attractions in the area of Nag’s Head. Reviewers have rated it at 4.5 out
of 5 stars.
I hope our family travels will one day take us to the Outer Banks so I can visit the lighthouse.
Thanks for this background, Bill. I've been to the Outer Banks, but never to this particular place. I always love learning about how real places inspire the writer, and lighthouses are fascinating places. I'd love to see this one too.
ReplyDeleteMargot: Thanks for the comment. I think lighthouses have an allure for most people. I remember stopping on the coast in Australia near Melbourne to look and then climb inside a lighthouse.
DeleteI do love it when an author takes a real place and builds it up in their imagination and their writings. I will be checking into the book when it comes out. And I would love to visit the lighthouse too.
ReplyDeleteTracyK: Thanks for the comment. I doubt I would ever have thought to put a library in a lighthouse. It works very well in the book.
DeleteThis and your previous post make me think I should try this one - I liked the other book I read by this author.
ReplyDeleteMoira: Thanks for the comment. The characters and settings are so different in her respective series.
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