5★
“I read. I look out the window. I think about the morning when the Gardaí arrived at our front door in Terenure. I tell myself not to think about the morning when the Gardaí arrived at our front door in Terenure. And, in this way, the hours pass and, before I know it, it’s almost lunchtime and I can walk down to the village.”

She’s gone across Ireland from Dublin over to Galway, on the Atlantic Ocean, where she plans to hide out in a rented cottage on one of the many small islands in Galway Bay. This island has only 400 people, and she hopes they aren’t too up to date with the news.

She’s chopped off her hair, changed her name, and is treated politely but with evident curiosity as yet another refugee from the mainland. We don’t know exactly what’s happened, but she speaks of texting her surviving daughter, who keeps blocking and unblocking her.

She walks to one of the two pubs in the village for her lunch, keeping to herself. She has mobile coverage at the cottage, but wifi is only at one pub, which suits her just fine. Maybe she can fly under the radar for a while.

“Later, when I too am alone in my single bed, I wonder whether God is looking over me and, if he is, what punishment he will send my way next. A dead daughter. A husband in jail. My family’s reputation shattered. An entire country convinced that I was complicit in all of it. What more can he do to hurt me?”

She’s not a believer, which is a recurring theme in Boyne’s stories, but she befriends the local priest, because he’s an interesting man to talk to. Ifechi, born in Nigeria, invites Willow to use the church as a place of peace as it’s mostly empty during the day.

“It can be a good place to catch ones thoughts, away from the world. You can talk to God, talk to yourself, or talk to no one at all.”

She wanders in one day drawn to the Stations of the Cross, admiring the art work but then becoming annoyed with what it all represents.

“The whole business of the twelve apostles has always bothered me, the hard-nosed maleness of their clique, the decision from the start to exclude women from their number. Most became saints, I think, but did that prevent them from leering at the women who served their food, or making vulgar remarks about girls they noticed on the streets?”

She goes on to wonder if some of the apostles may have lured girls away or taken women without their permission. She gets angrier and angrier as she looks at the pictures.

“All these men, all these f**king men. Sacred and hallowed and venerated for two thousand years. And yet it was the women, and only the women, who were there for Him at the end when the men betrayed Him, denied Him, ran from Him, pocketed their thirty pieces of silver for traducing him.”

So much for a place of peace. It has done nothing but remind her of the evil she is trying to escape – how much damage is caused by men who consider women as here for their convenience.

“Outside, emerging into the sunlight, I inhale deeply, filling my lungs with air, and feel a sense of relief to have escaped a building that exists solely to comfort the troubled.”

When she is startled awake one night and can’t go back to sleep, she takes herself to the shore and wades in, thinking of the part water has played in her life. Her swimming teacher became her husband. He becomes a well-known coach and community figure, and she takes up social swimming.

Wading into the Bay that night she thinks about Virginia Woolfe, who walked into the water with her pockets full of stones to weigh her down.

“Water has been the undoing of me. It has been the undoing of my family. We swim in the womb. We are composed of it. We drink it. We are drawn to it throughout our lives, more than mountains, deserts, or canyons. But it is terrible. It kills.”

She has been badly shaken by what has happened to her family, but she is still very much an individual and a pretty strong one at that. It’s not all tears and guilt and grim self-recrimination, so I can say I enjoyed reading her story.

John Boyne is a master of the mind. He can put himself in someone else’s shoes, whether it’s a soldier in WW1 or, in All the Broken Places, an 80-year-old woman whose little brother was the protagonist of the The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas. His characters are always real and always memorable. This 54-year-old woman is no exception – he understands her mind, her strengths and her weaknesses.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Random House / Transworld for a copy of #Water for review.

An emotionally charged, intese and enthralling novel that deals with important topics in a very sensitive way.
There's a woman on the ran, choices in the past, a price to pay and a scandal.
It's story in the mind of the MC and it's not always easy and often disturbing.
That said I loved it as the author is a talented storyteller and the story brilliant.
A short novel or a long novella, it was like being punched and I loved it
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This novel is the very definition of small but perfectly formed. The first of a planned quartet, it gives us the story of a woman coming to terms with the life choices she has made, grappling with guilt and complicity.

Vanessa Carvin arrives from mainland Ireland to a remote rented cottage on a small island off the Irish coast, fleeing a media storm following her husband's trial for a heinous crime which is only slowly revealed. She goes under an assumed name and tries to change her appearance in an effort not to be recognised, and keeps herself to herself while she tries to use the headspace to examine her complicity in her husband's crimes and the effect it has all had on her relationship with her younger daughter following the death of her older daughter.

This is a novel of introspection, faultlessly constructed and psychologically insightful. In 150 pages, John Boyne deconstructs the process of grief, guilt, loss and coming to terms with all three. If this is a taste of what the other three novels will bring, I can't wait.

Despie the heaviness of the story I absolutely loved this book. I was drawn to Vanessa and found her a very compelling character. The island setting is perfect - exposed, isolated and removed. Emotionally it was intense and made a deep impression. For such a slim book it had great depth and the writing was just beautiful.

When Vanessa Carvin escapes to a small island off the coast of Ireland, all she wants to do is reinvent herself as Willow Hale and put the past behind her. But the consequences of her earlier actions and lack of action are not so easily escaped and the past continues to haunt her. I found this a powerful and compelling read, well-crafted and well-paced. The slow reveal is expertly handled and the issue at the heart of the novel is equally sensitively handled. It’s a short book but didn’t need to be any longer. Here less is most definitely more. A small gem of a novel.

As a go to author for me, I was very excited to have the opportunity to read Water by John Boyne. The first book in the new quartet of novels - Water, Earth, Fire and Air. Arriving on a small island off the coast of Ireland, Vanessa Carlton changes both her name and appearance in order to disappear from the scrutiny of society. Taking time to reflect on her life and the choices that she made her story gradually becomes clear in glimpses over the progress of the novel. A short but very powerful story of the choices that we make and how these affect others and one that deals with some very hard issues. A novel of guilt and complicity, love and hate, oppression and the hope of redemption it’s certainly does not disappoint and I can’t wait for the next in the quartet. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity of reading the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

Vanessa Carvin moves to a remote island from Ireland's mainland in an attempt to remove herself from a media circus, and the wrath of strangers that she doesn't know, but who believe that she must have been complicit in crimes committed by her husband.

Her own daughter is amongst those who doesn't believe that her Mother knew nothing of the Father's crimes, which breaks Vanessa's heart. But she knows that she herself must learn to move on from the past, before she can expect others to do the same.

Almost immediately once she arrives on the island, Vanessa changes her name to Willow.

Wanting to appear as someone who is escaping city life, rather than real life.

She has deliberately chosen the most remote cottage on the island.

Not wanting to attract attention from the locals.

But of course she does.

She is an outsider, on a small island with a tight knit community, who have a reputation for running strangers off the island and back to the mainland.

She is careful who she make acquaintances with, and seeks out those like herself who seem to have something to hide.

For we all have secrets.

Although it wasn't made explicit at the start of the novel, I had an idea of what Brendan Carvin had been accused and convicted of, but to have it confirmed was no less shocking.

A short book which had a style that made it easy to read. Although the secrets of the characters were revealed gradually there never seemed to be any surprises. I think most readers would join the dots up fairly quickly but Boyne doesn’t leave you feeling short changed nevertheless.

Water is the first in a planned quartet of novellas named after the four elements and linked by some shared characters and themes. I’ve enjoyed many of John Boyne’s longer novels so I was intrigued to see what he could do with a shorter format.

We begin with Vanessa Carvin arriving on an island off the coast of Ireland where she has rented a cottage in the hope of escaping from her past and starting a new life for herself. The first thing she does when she gets there is cut her hair and change her name to Willow, before settling into a quiet existence, going for walks, attending church and trying not to attract too much attention to herself.

The whole book is narrated by Willow and she reveals her secrets to the reader slowly, when she is ready to do so, but we know from the start that something has gone badly wrong with her marriage to Brendan Carvin, Director of the National Swimming Federation. Where is he now? What happened to their eldest daughter, Emma? Why is Willow estranged from her younger daughter, Rebecca, who refuses to answer her texts and keeps blocking Willow’s number? It takes a while for the truth to emerge but, once it does, it gives Boyne the opportunity to return to the themes he has explored in other books such as A History of Loneliness and All the Broken Places (Father Odran Yates, protagonist of the former, is even referred to once or twice as a friend of Brendan’s, strengthening the tie between the two books). These themes include the questions of whether we can be considered complicit in another person’s crimes just by choosing to look the other way when our instincts tells us something is wrong and whether there is always more we could and should have done.

Water is the title of the book, but that element is also worked into the novel in a variety of different ways. Not only is Willow’s husband a swimming coach, but the sea has a role to play in the fate of one of the other characters and Willow’s own name refers to a tree that grows by water. And of course, the island itself is surrounded by water, both physically and metaphorically separating Willow from her old life in Dublin. For such a short book (176 pages in the hardback edition) it’s a very powerful one. It deals with some difficult and uncomfortable topics but, as I’ve come to expect from Boyne, there are also some humorous moments to lighten the mood. I can’t wait to see how he tackles the other three elements; I’m already looking forward to the second book in the series, Earth, which is due in May 2024.

What another remarkable piece of writing from the genius that is John Boyne. A novella so rich in scope and depth, it belies the slimness of its form. How Boyne manages to convey so much in so few pages is the stuff of alchemy.

Water is the story of Vanessa Carvin, a middle-aged woman, who arrives under an assumed name on a tiny island off the Irish coast. Her husband is in prison after committing monstrous crimes, in which she may or may not have been complicit. The tragic fallout has shattered her world. Before she can move on, she must consider her culpability, work through her guilt and grief, and find a path to redemption.

For me, it is Boyne’s masterful characterisation of Vanessa — known to the locals as Willow Hale — that is the standout feature of this novella. He reveals her layer by layer in the lightest of strokes, evoking sympathy and understanding for her plight. Her acts of penance — shaving off her hair, eschewing every luxury — are softly stated, her flashes of acerbic wit a quiet delight. Even the shocking events that have brought her to this place are unveiled slowly and subtly, devoid of the sensationalism that would rob them of their authenticity.

In fact, everything about Boyne’s writing here is sparse and nuanced, but weighted heavily with import; a deeply visceral experience that holds you, immersed, from start to finish. His use of water imagery alone is utterly spellbinding; its curious dichotomy as an element both dangerous and cleansing a compelling leitmotif.

I finished this with the sense that I’d read something hugely significant. And how wonderful that we have three further books to come in what I’m sure will be a highly praised literary quartet.

I loved the idea of four novellas, titled The Elements, written by John Boyne and was excited to get the opportunity to read the first, Water, in exchange for a fair and honest review. (Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley.)
John Boyne’s usual sensitivity, gentle but accurate observations and unflinching reality were present in Water. He does not avoid difficult subjects, but ensures his characters are multi-dimensional and complex, which ensures they are believable and relatable.
Boyne writes from a woman’s perspective so well. If I didn’t know, I would have guessed that the author was a woman. Willow (aka Vanessa) was not always easy to like, but it made her all the more interesting. I definitely invested in her and her story. The novella spends a year in her company, but includes her memories, which slowly reveal why she is living an isolated life on a small island, pretending she is someone new.
I 100% recommend this quick but meaningful book. It is going to stay with me. I am very much looking forward to reading the next three elements.

This is a powerful small book that deals with some hard-hitting themes in its 160 pages. Trust, betrayal, marriage, politics, elite sport, misogyny, the media, the Catholic church and men who prey on others all play in their role in this hard-hitting novella.

A woman arrives on an island off the Galway coast to. She changes her name and cuts her hair and rents a barely furnished cottage without internet or television. She is hiding from the world, nursing her profound grief and licking her wounds. We learn that her eldest daughter has died and her husband has been convicted of a horrendous crime. Social media has had its say and judged her, the woman behind the man, guilty of knowing what he was doing (how could she not?). Now she is forced to examine her own complicity – did she knowingly turn a blind eye because she didn’t want to see?

Gradually over the course of a year, she learns how to live with herself again and reconnect with her remaining hurt and angry daughter. The islanders are a taciturn bunch who keep to themselves but she discovers others she can trust and her discussions with the young priest help, even though she is not religious. Told with a touch of wry humour, sensitivity and empathy for women who often unfairly bear the blame for men behaving badly, this is another brilliant, perfectly formed piece of writing from this very talented writer.

Water tells the story of Vanessa Carvin who has escaped her past on mainland Ireland to live in a cottage on an island. We know something bad happened with her husband and one of her daughters. We also know she is estranged from another daughter and the first thing she has done on the island is change her name to Willow. Some become suspicious of her behaviour, but she uses the time to come to terms with what has happened. If her husband committed these crimes, she must decide how complicit she is in his actions.

I really enjoyed this short, snappy exploration of a character as we slowly find out what has happened in her past. I love the metaphor of the water here too, and we, the reader, are to be the judge of her behaviour. I didn't particularly warm to Vanessa as a character but I really felt for her daughters and I felt that was fascinating to read.

Another great read by Boyne and I will be looking out for the rest of the quartet.

Water, by John Boyne
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A woman arrives on a small island off the coast of Ireland where she immediately changes her name and appearance. This short but addictive book reveals her demons gradually, helping us understand why she is in so much internal turmoil.

I almost read it in one sitting, completely hooked. I loved the moody, turbulent setting of the island, and the cast of intriguing, troubled locals. Vanessa’s story, as it was slowly revealed, was shocking and captivating.

John Boyne is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. This is a must-read recommendation from me!

Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this fabulous book in return for an honest review.

Water is evidently the first of four novellas by John Boyne. In it we find Vanessa who has moved to a small Irish island cutting all ties with her old life. Shaving her hair, changing her name to Willow and avoiding the outside world. Slowly we discover what it is that Willow is hiding from and how she slowly comes to terms with how the devastating actions of others have impacted her life. Water is a small book but it deals with big topics such as child abuse, incest and suicide, to name but a few. Boyne writes from a woman's point of view beautifully and this book touched me and brought me near tears several times. I'm happy to recommend it and look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

Water by John Boyne
I give this book 5 stars

The first thing Vanessa Carvin does when she arrives on the island is change her name.But scandals follow like hunting dogs.
Escaping her old life might seem like a good idea but the choices she made have consequences. Here, on the island, Vanessa must reflect on what she did - and did not do.

This is the first in a interlinked novel quartet named after the elements……Water,Earth,Fire and Air.
This powerful prose doesn’t feel like a novella and left it’s mark on me.The author takes us on a sweeping journey of self discovery encompassing guilt,grief,family,religion and subtle humour all of which are perfectly balanced throughout the storyline .As always with John Boyne it’s crafted exquisitely and the serious subject matters are executed with emotional impact.I loved how Water has its part to play!
An incredible and intense read …… I could not put this one down for the life of me,and I’m excited for what’s to come next in Earth.
With thanks to Netgalley,John Boyne and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for my chance to read and review this book.

A woman arrives on a small island off the coast of Ireland, where she immediately changes her name and takes steps to ensure her appearance is radically altered too. She’s obviously in hiding, but from what or from whom?

The answers to these questions are not provided quickly. At least not overtly, but it’s not difficult to join up the dots. So this is not a mystery novel, it’s short tale about things that can happen to individuals and to families that profoundly change everything. And in the aftermath of these events how it might strike some of them that they may in some way be responsible – or at least partly responsible – for bringing this catastrophe upon themselves.

The meat of this story is how the woman – now called Willow – wrestles with how events had played out and how she copes with the mental torture this evokes. There’s a little more to the story, mainly in terms of the few people she engages with whilst on the island, and this weaves comfortably enough into the narrative.

It’s a disturbing story of betrayal and of serious damage done, but also of renewal too. Not a comfortable read, but it is a short one. Another brilliant piece of writing from an author who never ceases to surprise me.

Wow! I’ve simply not been able to put this book down, so compelling is the narrative.
The novel begins with Vanessa Carvin arriving on an island off Galway, cutting off her hair and changing her name. What is she running away from? Why does she want to hide? And so begins Willow’s exploration into her past life and her actions and what impact or responsibility she had on any of the events that led up to her escaping to the island. This is a story full of raw emotions that deals with some hard hitting themes. As Willow slowly recounts her life, the tragedy she suffered and then the scandal that ensued, she searches for her truth and role in the events and her answers to the kinds of questions anyone could ask in hindsight,
A wonderful novella from John Boyne that I shall be recommending widely and I look forward to reading the rest of this series
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for a review.

An unusual step for John Boyne - a short novel written completely in the voice of a female main character that at first I found rather forced but the further on I read, the more confident the voice became.

Vanessa Carvin is running away and when she arrives on a small Irish island she attempts to conceal her identity by using a different name, Willow Hale. She strips her life to the bare minimum in order to survive and heal from her past.

An intriguing character based story. It will be interesting to see how the future novellas in the series pan out.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK/Transworld/Doubleday for the opportunity to read and review
Water.

I really enjoyed this book.
A short story but one I couldn’t put down, right from the start I was hooked.
It’s about a woman who arrives on a small Irish island. The first thing she does is change her name.
The authors writing is beautifully descriptive with strong, real believable characters and engaging, thought provoking storyline.
A sensitive and emotional read. Highly recommend.
I look forward to the next book in this elemental series @JohnBoyne.
Thanks to #NetGallery @RandomHouseUK @TransworldPublishers for an arc of #Water in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own.
Book publishes 2nd November 2023.