John Boyne relates a harrowing story with remarkable skill and grace. As the second novella in his Elements quartet, ‘Earth’ is a darker, more reflective and earthy read than ‘Water’. It centres on a rape trial where two Championship football players stand accused of this heinous act.

Evan Keogh finds himself in the dock. As he casts anxious glances at the defendant, watches his more confident team mate, Robbie, observes the inscrutable jury members, and slides his eyes away from his angry father and upset mother, Evan ponders his life so far, the lies he’s told, and what led him to this moment.

His gift for football sits at odds with his desire to be an artist. Sadly, his football playing gift leads to a career he doesn’t really want, but he’s not gifted enough to pursue the artistic career he’d rather have. The wages are good, but life is a big disappointment.

Evan feels like a failure. His father is relentlessly angry and disappointed with him. Being gay is an added complication. It takes him down dark pathways where he gets taken advantage of and abused. Redemption seems far off.

Boyne weaves beautifully descriptive sentences into his pared back prose. They help convey the essence of his characters and their predicament. Due to the novel’s subject matter, it’s quite explicit in places, though the earthiness fits the narrative.

I enjoyed reading ‘Water’ more than ‘Earth’, though I admire the brilliant way this is written and the relatability of the flawed characters. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in the series. Grateful thanks to Penguin Random House, UK and NetGalley for the eARC.

Earth is the second book in the Elements quartet and like the first Water, it's a short book that packs a punch

Evan Keogh is a Chamionship footballer. Once feted and lauded by millions, he now stands accused of rape alongside his team mate

The story of the rape and of Evans life slowly unfurls and the reader is forced to reasses their first impressions of Evan and their initial judgement of his crime.

As Evan himself reflects on the journey that brought him to this point, the reader considers in what way he is complicit not only in the crime he stands accused of but also the things that have happened to him along the way.

The writing as one would expect from John Boyne is pin sharp and has you feeling all the emotions for Evan - pity, disgust, anger. Some parts though sensitively handled are particularly harrowing to read and it's clear that Evan himself, while by no means completely innocent, is a victim too.

There is the connection to the first book - Evan himself even appears briefly there - but this can certainly be read alone. I’m very much looking forward to the next book Fire later this year

Couldn’t put this short story down once I started. The storyline drew me in and I didn’t know what outcome I wanted there to be. 5 stars

John Boyne rarely disappoints and this book, Earth, is another triumph. So much packed into so few pages. And I haven't stopped thinking about it since I finished it 24 hours ago.. I must go back and look for Water, the publication of which passed me by. Ewan is a fragile character and I warmed to him depsite his actions. With thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an e-ARC to read and review.

Earth is the second in John Boyne's Elements series of novellas. As with Water the first book, it is a very intense story that grips the reader immediately and doesn't let go. Earth is based around a rape court case and I found it absolutely fascinating. Not just the narrative itself but the speed with which Boyne builds the characters into fully fledged people one actually cares about/identifies with. Earth is a wonderful read as was Water. I can't wait for the next in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

It’s mind boggling how much this author can convey in a short novella, and without the plot feeling rushed or compromised.
We meet a young footballer who is a rising talent, but we meet him in less than ideal circumstances. He’s on his way to stand trial with one of his fellow teammates.
This is an intense and emotional read, and it may be upsetting for some. The slow reveal and the twisting perspective of the protagonist is beautifully written, very gritty.
I’m so excited to read the next two books in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Earth, the second novella in this quartet. A serious subject matter that was explored with great care. I loved how the earth was woven into the story and I felt the characters were fully developed and realistic. I read this book in two sittings not wanting to stop. I was invested in the outcome and I felt Boyne did an exceptional job with such a sensitive topic. Highly recommended and an easy five stars.

Evan Keogh always wanted to be a painter, he loved abstract art and thought he had something of a gift for it. His father wanted him to become a footballer, something he definitely had a gift for, yet this was something Evan had no interest in. We’d briefly met Evan in Boyne’s previous novella (in this set of four) Water, at the end of which he’d escaped the small island off the west coast of Ireland where he’d lived with his parents. His aim being to find a new life.

When we catch up with him here he’s a professional footballer, playing for a club in the second tier of English football. Evan is gay, which is a challenge in itself given football’s homophobic environment. Details of his sexuality are not widely known, even amongst his teammates. But at least one is aware - Rob, his closest friend at the club. So Evan is successful and has money, but is he happy? The answer is no; Evan simply see’s football as a way to build up sufficient savings to allow him to live the life he really wants. But now he’s in trouble: he’s due to appear in court along with Rob, accused of sexual assault.

So how did he end up in this place and what does it all mean for his future? As the story of Evan’s life after leaving the island begins to be told, we learn how a collision of bad people, bad luck and poor choices have lead him here. There are unexpected linkages to be revealed too, and in the end Evan is left with decisions to be made that will determine how his life will play out from this point.

It’s another powerful story from a writer whose themes and whose characters often highlight the significant challenges life can throw up. Who is to be trusted and what light will guide us through the maze set out in front us? The choices we make will sometimes have little significance, and yet others are likely to define us. A moral compass is a useful ally, but it might yet lead us to places we've no desire to go.

John Boyne is probably my favourite author. I haven't read all of his novels (there are a lot), but I think I probably should. His style of writing and storytelling is so easy and relaxed; no word is superfluous and any descriptive passages are woven in to the narrative and are not add-ons which make your eyes glaze over. He gets deep into the background, motivations and experiences of his characters, both men and women, in order to explain their behaviour. In this case it is all about Evan, who escapes from an Irish island because his father wants him to be a footballer (for which he has a talent) and he wants to be an artist (which he loves but is not exceptional in). He is gay, and there is a dark side to some of his experiences which is sensitively told. The plot of Evan's trial is no secret and the outcome is not particularly original if I may dare to say so, but the ending makes your heart soar. I cannot wait to read Fire and Air.

Just finished reading "Earth," the second novella in John Boyne's Elements series, and I must say, this is another gem following the remarkable "Water." This story tackles some heavy topics, much like its predecessor, but Boyne's writing is as captivating and beautifully crafted as ever.

There are subtle ties that bind them together, and I love how the characters interconnect. The main character in "Earth" has faced some tough challenges in his young life and has even been involved in a terrible act. Surprisingly, despite this, I found myself empathising with him and seeing him as a complex and multifaceted individual.

I can't wait to see what Boyne has in store for us in the next instalment of this series. He truly is a masterful storyteller who skilfully weaves together intricate narratives that explore the depths of human emotions and moral complexities. The way he brings characters like Willow Hale and Evan Keogh to life, struggling between their passions and their pasts, is both relatable and thought-provoking.

"Earth" made as much an impact as "Water” did to me. Boyne's exploration of sensitive issues like complicity in crimes is both eye-opening and poignant, making us reflect on our own moral compass and values. I can't wait to see where the Elements series takes us next and how Boyne continues to challenge and engage his readers with his powerful storytelling. Bravo!!

Thanks Netgalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and Doubleday for the advance reader copy.

I really don’t know how Boyne can pack so much into this small of a book, but this was fantastic.

I really enjoyed Water, and was so drawn to the characters and the island - I worried about moving on from that, but by the end of the first page I was already swept up in this instalment.

The alternating chapters worked wonderfully, and the writing was beautiful. I thought the subject matter was handled sensitively - it was incredibly emotional but never became traumatic for the sake of it but please check trigger warnings.

I can’t wait for the next book, and I loved finding out who we’re following next.

I loved the first book - Water - in this quartet, and it really whet (pun most intended) my appetite for the next one.

Generally for shorter stories, you have to get stuck straight in, as there just isn't in the page length to get into detail. And yet somehow, I don't know how, John has done both. You are straight into it, yes, that's true, but he's also devoted page space to description of the soil and whatnot. And I like that, it entices you more and gets you more absorbed in the place of the story.

What I think he's really done well in this book is looked at the class system. It's not too much or thrown in your face, but there is definitely a case of "upper class = innocent" and "lower class = guilty". It's not spelled out so obviously as that, but it is there and it's not a gimmick. He's also explored this idea of victimising. Do we always believe the female (in this case) victim over the men just because she's a woman? Or should we assume innocence until proven otherwise? Do we assume that famous people are innocent, and anyone who tries to go against them is simply jealous of their position? It does ask a lot of interesting questions.

It also looks at the idea of masculinity and types of men: straight or gay, whether you like football or not, if you cry or not. It is quite toxic at times but I suppose that's the reality of this world John has created.

To begin with, there's not much dialogue in it, which almost gives it a sense of a retrospective detail of the events, rather than us living it at the same time, if that makes sense, and I really enjoyed that. Once we got more into the legalities of the plot, then we had more dialogue but it's almost the things that aren't spoken that had the most effect on me.

I will say it is quite explicit. Not in the sense that there's sex scenes spelt out in gratuitous detail, but there is an awful lot of suggestions, of preamble of sexual activity. I'm not a prude in the slightest, and the detail was important to the overall story, but I found it did become a bit tiresome after a wile, like, some of that time could have been used to flesh out the characters a bit more. I think that's the only negative thing I've said about a John Boyne book and I feel rather appalled at it, but there it is.

Whether you're new to John's books or a seasoned reader, I think we can all agree that he's a wonderful writer, a genius with a magical gift to depict humanity in all its positives and negatives. This is book two of four, and I am really looking forward to them, and frankly, anything else he writes. Whilst all authors, new or seasoned, write some books that are better than others they've written, John's books are a rare exception, as in my experience I have never had a bad read from him, and I know I can always rely on him to create an interesting and very human story.

I did prefer Water over this one, it just spoke to me more and was more of a pleasant read. This is quite contained and more serious. It gives a completely different feeling than the first book. But that's not to say it's a bad book. It's a John Boyne after all, and therefore a good book with exceptional writing, if just not 100% to my taste. But that hasn't dampened my excitement about the final two in the series.

'Earth' is the second novel in a quartet named after the elements. The books appear to be loosely linked so there is no need to have read 'Water' before this one. It is an extremely compelling story set around a rape trial - naturally the topic is upsetting and some readers may find it triggering and prefer not to read. However for everyone else, it is a very well written and thought provoking story. It's not an easy read in the sense of the uncomfortable topic matter, but it is very readable - Boyne is a writer whose prose always flows well and doesn't feel the need to pad out his novels with lots of extra words to up the page count.

The story is from the perspective of Evan, a reluctant but talented professional footballer who only choose the career to escape his abusive father and life on a small island off the Galway coast. Evan comes over as a sympathetic character, which is difficult when he is on trial as accessory to rape, alongside his team mate, the accused rapist. The narrative alternates between the trial and Evan's backstory, which as it unravels reveals his situation is even more complicated and unpleasant than it initially appeared. Boyne does not reveal to readers whether Evan is guilty or not whilst the novel is unfolding.

The treatment of the alleged victim during the trial makes for the most uncomfortable reading. Whilst I fortunately have no personal experience in this area, it chimes with the general impression given of what people who make accusations of sexual assault can experience in court. It isn't surprising that conviction rates are so low and that most assaulted people never come forwards or progress their cases. You are left with the impression that justice depends a lot on the cleverness of the lawyers involved rather than the truth of the matter. I'm not sure what the answer is to this but it saddens me that this might be what is really happening in courts.

It's not a book that gives easy answers but it is a really compelling read. I wanted to know if Evan was guilty, and I wanted to know if he'd be found guilty. Boyne does give the answers to both (I was worried he'd leave it ambiguous, which would have really annoyed me) although not until the end. I stayed up much later than I meant to because I didn't want to go to bed before I knew the answers.

I'm interested in what the next book in the quartet will feature - the first two have both been about people who have been potential accessories to horrible crimes committed by other people, and featured the vagaries of justice systems and the involvement of the media in high profile criminal trials and their aftermath. If you enjoy 'Earth', then you should definitely read 'Water', although I think 'Earth' is even better as it feels more immediate and exciting. I am already looking forwards to 'Fire'.

Elemental Resonances

John Boyne’s writing always lingers a while for me, rather like some kind of set of harmonic overtones.

This short book is the second in his 4 part ‘Elements’ series. Those these are stand-alones, I think, if someone is completely new to them, they would gain most from reading them in order. The first, published last year, Water, then this one, and with Fire due to be published in Autumn

The reason for this, is, as I discovered, the central character in this one, Evan, is not quite a minor player in the first element book, Water, but one we met at an earlier stage, living on one of the small islands off Ireland’s West Coast. A troubled boy, with a repressive, controlling father.

Here, he is the central character, in a situation of great trauma. He is a young man, a premier footballer with a great gift for the sport, which he does not really care for. His real desire was to be an artist, but football has given him wealth. He had a complicated route to where he is in now – which is, an accessory to a charge of rape against another footballer, and his closest friend.

And I have discovered from reading the afterword to Earth, that the next book, Fire, will be the story of someone who is a very minor character, a juror, in this book

From my reading of Water and Earth, the themes seem to be – as they often are with Boyne – trauma, personal transgressive falls, either by denial or evasion of a deliberate choice of deep transgression made by another, or some more active choice towards transgression made by the central character. And then, Boyne being the compassionate writer he is, the possibility of redemption by actively making difficult choices to make amends.

Evan is an extremely damaged young man, one who has made dreadful choices. There are some genuinely surprising twists in this one which are absolutely shocks, but, when found, make brilliant sense.

I stay in awe of Boyne’s beautiful writing, his depth of characterisation, and his clear compassion.

Earth John Boyne

This book is the second book in The Element Series. I think when the final book is released, I might reread the first 3 to refresh my memory and tie them altogether.

In fairness, if John releases a book, then I will be reading it. I loved Water, so was very much looking forward to this book.
I'm not even sure where to start with this one, but I know I will be thinking about it for a long time.
Two well known footballers are on trial for sexual assault, so perhaps consider this as a trigger warning. This book drew me in even quicker than Water, I read it in one sitting.

Now the wait begins for books 3 and 4.

Earth is a standalone book in a series of elemental titles by John Boyne.

Evan is a professional footballer - who has no interest in football. He is merely playing the game for other means that become clear as the story progresses.

I devoured this book. I lost count of the number of times I thought just one more chapter and ended up reading into the early hours as I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend. Another brilliant book by John.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review,

I love this author and everything he's written, and this was no exception. A short, thought provoking book, atmospheric, great characters and such a sense of place. He writes about women so brilliantly too and this character really resonated. Loved it

It’s the tabloid sensation of the year: two well-known footballers standing in the dock, charged with sexual assault, a series of vile text messages pointing towards their guilt.

This is another wonderfully written book by John Boyne. The descriptions are superb and the characters come to life on the page. This is quite a topical and modern book about a modern and topical subject. He never fails to entertain.

John Boyne's writing just does something for my brain, I find myself so instantly connecting with the characters that he writes which to me is so key for me to have a good reading experience. I don’t generally go for short stories for this exact reason but after really enjoying Water it made me excited to get stuck into this one when the publisher reached out.

I really enjoyed Evan's character, I thought he felt so real, so flawed and complex on one hand, yet so vulnerable and living life for the first time on the other. His story just had me rooting for him and his growth despite him not always making the best decisions, I think I just wanted him to learn from his mistakes, to find some of the beauty and joy in both life and connections to other people.

The metaphors that weave this story together are just wonderful, I loved them in Water and I loved it even more in Earth- these short stories are unputdownable. The ending was so satisfying and I just felt so satisfied. Please John Boyne if you ever read this, write follow up books for all of these short stories exploring the characters lives because I'd love to know more about where they go next.

A big thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evan Keogh is a professional footballer, his life upturned by a rape allegation against another player and in which he is implicates. Evan Keogh is a young man from the island, a wannabe painter, newly in the big city, thrust into sex work to survive. To accept Earth, the new novella from John Boyne, is to accept that both these stories are that of the same man. There threatens to be a connection which would dramatically link them, but it comes off with a whimper, and not the bang that I expected.

If the above makes it sound like I disliked this novella, that is not the case. There was a lot to admire. If you've read and liked Boyne before, this will be right up your street. The writing is great, it moves along at quite a clip, the dialogue is rich and sharp. It has a little bit of a sting in the tail which might cause you to reconsider what has come before. It helps that Evan is a very likeable man.

I have not read the first novella in this series - in which I believe Evan appears briefly - so do not think you need to read that book first. You can dive straight into this and not worry.

Overall another fine novel from John Boyne. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the ARC.