Taboo subject dealt with sensitively and from all angles. Thought provoking and bringing the subject of abuse and fall out to the readers attention makes us aware of what could be and does go on in even the seemingly perfect family.
A must read!

This book was short, but one that I really enjoyed. I think it was fairly predictable what Vanessa was running away from, however this didn’t detract from it at all. It was well written and a great story.

This is the story of Vanessa/Willow, who has experienced terrible trauma with her husband and family in Dublin, and goes to a remote island off the Irish coast to get out of her life and her head. It's a very quiet book, Willow builds relationships and gets to know a few of the islanders, who are all interesting individuals. To me, it is also about how a small community can be disrupted by a new member, and how being listened to can help people to get free from unwanted situations. A short book, but very deep. Recommended.

I though this was a beautifully written short novel about someone who needed to get away from everything and everyone, stop, breath and then push the restart button. Life on a remote island, with only 400 inhabitants, brings with it other people who also have issues. But everyone took what they needed to get what they wanted. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it almost in one sitting.

Thank you for the ARC!

Unfortunately for me, this was a DNF. I tried several times to get into it, but I just couldn't. I have really enjoyed Boyne's books in the past so I'm not sure why I couldn't get into this one.

This was a funny book for me as I didn't really enjoy the read itself, and only persevered as it was short. However the message it sent and how it ended, I did enjoy....

Making an attempt to escape both physically and mentally from her life, Vanessa Carvin moves to a remote Irish island and becomes Willow Hale.

Perfectly paced, the narrative slowly unfolds to reveal that she is escaping from her husband's crimes, the death of her daughter and the subsequent fallout in Dublin.

Through the character of Willow, Boyne explores the themes of guilt, complicity and grief.

The depth of character he packs into what in this case is quite a short book is extraordinary. I really felt I came to know Vanessa and understand her feelings and motives in relation to her marriage and the choices she made.

The characters on the island too, though bit part players are well drawn, relatable and authentic. I enjoyed the nod to his previous novel A History of Lonelieness with Vanessas connection to Terenure College & mention of Fr Odran.

Water is an emotive and powerful read dealing with a number of difficult topics including sexual abuse and suicide which are masterfully navigated by Boyne and at just 176 pages proves that a book doesn’t need to lengthy to pack a huge emotional punch.

Another 5 star read from a 5 star writer.

Having read ‘The Heart’s Invisible Furies’ I was really looking forward to a new John Boyne book - and this one didn’t disappoint.

Arriving on a small island off the coast of mainland Ireland, our main character is clearly a woman running away from something. Changing her name, cutting her hair, and going out of her way to keep herself to herself. We know something has happened in her past - something traumatic, and something that she may or may not have been complicit in.

It’d be easy to say too much about this book, and end up giving too much away, but what I will say is that this book stayed with my long after the final page. Heartbreaking, amusing, absorbing, and lingering, ‘Water’ might be a short book but it really packs a punch.

Should women feel responsible for the crimes of men? Do they sometimes choose not to see what’s happening in front of their eyes? And can you ever really escape your past? A thought provoking and moving book that will keep you pondering these things and more long after the final page.

This is a beautifully-written short novel about a woman who moves to a small Irish island after a family tragedy and scandal. I was immersed in the story from the beginning. The narrative flowed so smoothly, every word worth reading. The main character, Willow, is flawed yet strong and appealing. She takes us with her on her journey and I’m sure I’ll keep thinking of her. Her situation is very sad but the novel has moments of lightness and hope too. Water is a very appropriate title and I’m excited to read that there are three other books in this Elements series to come. I will definitely look out for them.

5* Water by John Boyne. Wow. It may be small (at 176 pages) but it packs an incredible punch.

Willow arrives on an island in the hope that she can outrun her recent past. She rents a small run down cottage, gets used to her new name and closely crops her hair. There is no wifi and a weak phone signal. As Willow gets acquainted with the locals and island life, she cannot escape thoughts of her family turmoil and the taint it has put on her.

John Boyne is a master storyteller. I think this is the best of those I have read. Dealing with dark issues but in a way that is thoughtful and compelling, the book gets you in its grip and holds you tight. The island locals offer a quirkiness and humour which ensures that there is an undercurrent of humour.

I would thoroughly recommend this book. Thanks to Random House, Transworld and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy.

This is a short read. It is a character driven story rather than a plot driven narrative. It tells the story of Vanessa Carvin who leaves her life in Dublin for a remote and isolated life on a small Island off the coast of Galway. Fleeing her past, Vanessa changes her name to Willow and spends her time coming to terms with what has happened within her family. I loved the dialogue especially that of the locals and found myself reminded of some familiar phrases that I haven't heard in quite some time. The pace is perfect and the author, in my opinion, dealt with parental grief really well. I enjoyed the conclusion of the story and the peace that Vanessa found before returning to civilisation. Overall, I have nothing negative to say. It was an easy read and an enjoyable story.

John Boyne's "Water" offers a premise that intrigues from the outset: a woman on the run, seeking refuge on a lonely Irish island under a new identity. However, while the novel explores the depths of Vanessa Carvin's past and the complexity of her choices, it does not reach the high level of the author's other works.
Boyne's writing, as always, is evocative and capable of conjuring up vivid imagery that allows the reader to immerse themselves in the isolated world of Willow Hale. The island setting provides a fitting backdrop for introspection and self-discovery, and the community interactions bring an added layer of complexity to the narrative.
The central theme of confronting one's past actions and their consequences is compelling, and Boyne succeeds in portraying Vanessa's inner turmoil as she questions her blindness to her ex-husband's crimes. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Water fails to make the most of its promising premise.
Compared to Boyne's other works that have captivated hearts and minds with their deep themes and intricate character development, "Water" leaves a sense of unfulfilled potential. The narrative pace, while steady, falls short of the quality of his most notable novels. The characters, while intriguing, lack the depth I have come to expect from Boyne's creations.
In conclusion, "Water" presents an interesting premise and attempts to delve into the complexities of its characters' lives. However, it struggles to reach the heights of John Boyne's other literary achievements. Although the writing is engaging and the themes are pertinent, the novel does not live up to the expectations created by the author's previous works. Despite its flaws, "Water" offers moments of introspection and intrigue, making it worth consideration for readers interested in exploring the intricacies of human choices and their consequences.

"Water", de John Boyne, ofrece una premisa que intriga desde el principio: una mujer que huye y busca refugio en una solitaria isla irlandesa bajo una nueva identidad. Sin embargo, aunque la novela explora las profundidades del pasado de Vanessa Carvin y la complejidad de sus decisiones, no alcanza el alto nivel de otras obras del autor.
La escritura de Boyne, como siempre, es evocadora y capaz de evocar vívidas imágenes que permiten al lector sumergirse en el aislado mundo de Willow Hale. El entorno de la isla proporciona un telón de fondo adecuado para la introspección y el autodescubrimiento, y las interacciones de la comunidad aportan una capa añadida de complejidad a la narración.
El tema central de enfrentarse a las propias acciones pasadas y sus consecuencias es convincente, y Boyne consigue retratar la confusión interna de Vanessa cuando se cuestiona su ceguera en los crímenes de su ex marido. Sin embargo, a medida que se desarrolla la trama, queda claro que "Water" no consigue sacar el máximo partido de su prometedora premisa.
En comparación con otras obras de Boyne que han cautivado corazones y mentes con sus temas profundos y el intrincado desarrollo de sus personajes, "Water" deja una sensación de potencial insatisfecho. El ritmo narrativo, aunque constante, no alcanza la calidad de sus novelas más notables. Los personajes, aunque intrigantes, carecen de la profundidad que yo espero de las creaciones de Boyne.
En conclusión, "Agua" presenta una premisa interesante e intenta ahondar en las complejidades de la vida de sus personajes. Sin embargo, le cuesta alcanzar la altura de otros logros literarios de John Boyne. Aunque la escritura es atractiva y los temas son pertinentes, la novela no está a la altura de las expectativas creadas por las obras anteriores del autor. A pesar de sus defectos, "Agua" ofrece momentos de introspección e intriga, por lo que merece la pena ser tenida en cuenta por los lectores interesados en explorar los entresijos de las elecciones humanas y sus consecuencias.

Water is a novella rather than a novel, and it sits at about 180 pages so it is quite a quick read. Despite it’s brevity it packs quite a bit in. From page one I was hooked.

Water stars a compelling and flawed protagonist who escapes her life of apparent luxury to live on a small island off the coast of Ireland. Her plan is to hide here until the hype surrounding her husband dies down, but whilst living in this apparent solitude it gives her plenty of time to reflect on her own decisions, her family history, and how guilty she herself might be. She quickly becomes quite popular with the locals, but mostly only as the target of gossip about “the new woman renting the cottage”.

In our time with Willow we learn all about her husband, and just what he did to end up hounded by the media, as well as how their relationship formed. The story, of course, is drip fed to us, making for a compelling read. I became quite invested in Willow’s story and couldn’t tear myself away. Not going to lie, I thought this was one of the best things I have read this year. When John does it right, boy does he do it right.

Highly recommend.

Finished this powerful, reflective and moving short book in a couple of hours! It might have been short but it was full of so much.
Vanessa Carvin arrives on a tiny Irish island and changes her name to Willow Hale in order to escape her past and live a secluded life
Its a story about women, men, marriage, abuse, power, islanders, patriarchy, motherhood, grief, scandal and so much more

"What is it, I wonder, about sporting success that seems more important to these men than basic decency?"

As a fan of The Heart's Invisible Furies, I was optimistic at what Water would bring in its relatively-condensed 176 pages and I was not disappointed. Vanessa was a complex, compelling character from the get-go and served to draw the reader into the world of political and social unrest that the book offers. A powerful, powerful read.

A moving and impactful novella by John Boyne, who describes in beautiful prose Vanessa Carvin/Willow Hale's self imposed isolation on a barren island following her husband's imprisonment for hideous crimes. I could have read far more and would love to know more about each character. A fantastic book!

I so wish this book had at least another 100 pages. John Boyne at his best, searching out the soul of his characters and leaving the reader with food for thought.
Vanessa retreats to a wild island off the west coast of Ireland, cuts her hair and changes her name. All in an effort to come to terms with the tragedy and scandal that has befallen her family. What was her role in the whole affair? Did she know? Could she have done anything?
This book is full of intriguing characters but unfortunately we don’t get to know too much about any of them. Maybe there is a book waiting for each one.
The only thing that jarred with me in the book and enough to knock off one star is the general vilification of men. A trend that is appearing across society, men can do no good and women no evil…….as if life could possibly be so divided. And yet, to my mind at least, Vanessa did have a case to answer. A case that wasn’t addressed in the book but perhaps should have been.
Well worth a read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

This for me was John Boyne as his very best and I’m happy to see that this novella is just the start of a quartet of books featuring the elements. It’s a heartbreaking but uplifting story that absorbed me from the first pages and the writing was so sublime it took my breath away. Set on a small remote island in Ireland Willow / Vanessa goes to escape but what is she running away from and can we ever truly escape?
I cannot put into words just how wonderful this book is it captivated me completely as I found my self getting lost in the tenderness of the words and the remoteness of the island and I’m eagerly awaits for the next book to be available, a massive thank you to John Boyne who once more brought me to tears.
My thanks also to NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an advanced reading copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and the author John Boyne.
I have previously enjoyed a lot of John Boyne's work but unfortunately this one felt a little lacking. It is a very quick read, and maybe for that reason it feels hard to get completely immersed and involved. All in all, it felt a little rushed and two-dimensional. It was....fine....and didn't leave me with any lasting impression as a lot of his previous work has done. Will still look forward to the next one! 3 stars.

I'm always happy to see a new John Boyne book. I may not love all his output but it is always very readable and interesting. I loved this novella. It reminded me a bit of Boyne's earlier novel A History of Loneliness in how it conveyed sadness, heartbreak and the bleaknes of acute isolation. "Willow Hale" arrives on an isolated Irish Island. She has shaved her hair, thrown out her cosmetics and is escaping from some dark court case and her daughter's refusal to speak to her. The background to her quest for escape is revealed piece by piece and she has some poignant and ascerbic interactions with the island residents. The novella explores isolation, deep sadness and the need to let ourselves escape from the chains that bind us before they destroy us. It also highlights the sheer entitlement to behave and abuse women just as they please that many men feel. I really liked this and gobbled it up. I'm happy to see novella's and slimmer volumes making a return to bookshops this Autumn as many of the huge tomes that have been fashionable for several years diluted the impact of the story by being over long.