The Elements
A Novel
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4.4 • 76 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
From bestselling author John Boyne, a gripping and profound exploration of guilt, blame, trauma, and the human capacity for redemption.
In The Elements, acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne has created an epic saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim.
The narrative follows a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son. Each is somehow connected to the next, and as the story unfolds, their lives intersect in unimaginable ways.
Boyne’s most ambitious work yet, The Elements is both an engrossing drama and a moving investigation of why and how we allow crime to occur. With masterful, spellbinding prose, he navigates this complex subject with extraordinary empathy and unflinching honesty. The story resonates on a deeply emotional level, challenging readers to confront their own conceptions of guilt and innocence at every step. Amid the wildly engrossing storytelling, the book ultimately asks: What would you do when faced with the unthinkable?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Four interconnected narratives comprise the dramatic if heavy-handed latest from Boyne (All the Broken Places), about the generational impact of abuse and the blurred lines between perpetrator and victim. "Water" follows Vanessa Carvin, 52, in the aftermath of her husband Brendan's conviction for raping eight girls. Accused of being complicit in the crimes, she retreats to an island off the coast of Ireland. "Earth" centers on rising soccer star Evan Keogh's trial for being an accessory to rape. As the courtroom drama unfolds, Boyne examines a troubling connection between Evan and Brendan. Boyne is at his best in the depiction of Freya Petrus, the protagonist of "Fire." Now a burn specialist, Freya copes with her childhood rape in heinous ways that would be a spoiler to reveal. "Air," the weakest link, follows Vanessa's former son-in-law Aaron Umber, a child psychologist, on a plane trip with his son, Emmet, during which Boyne hints that a great mystery will be revealed about Emmet's estrangement from his mother and the impact of his parents' childhood traumas on their dysfunctional family. Unfortunately, there's not much in the way of surprise. The author has a knack for crafting strong characters and evoking heavy emotions, but the novel's reliance on the symbolism of the four elements muddies rather than clarifies its insights into the nature of abuse. It's a mixed bag.
Customer Reviews
The Elements
Not sure how to rate this book. Very engaging but also more graphic than I would like. Ultimately though, it was a good read and very thought provoking.