I love a book that packs a punch and Earth certainly does that! It's short but it covers a hell of a lot in 200 pages. Emotionally it put me through the wringer as it had me swinging between rage, sympathy and horror but it kept me engrossed from start to finish. It was great to return to some familiar characters from Water and of course the writing was wonderful. It's a fabulous addition to John Boyne's Elements series and sits alongside Water as a book that'll play on my mind for some time.

Ad/ PR copy. Thanks to @netgalley and @transworldbooks.

This novel is the second in John Boyne's ‘elements’ series, and I think I enjoyed this even more than 'Water' [the first, which I loved].

Evan Keogh has followed his Father's dream of becoming a professional footballer. But at what cost comes fame and fortune?

Evan has never actually wanted to be a footballer, despite his obvious talent.

Driven from the Island that he grew up on, after an incident with his so called best friend, he is determined to become an artist on the mainland.

There is no denying that he has talent, but his work is too similar to those he is influenced by, and he has to resort to other means to start making some money.

Unfortunately this doesn't end well for Evan, and he is forced to put his true talent to use and follow his Father's dreams for him, resulting in even more devastating consequences.

Now everyone knows Evans’s name, and not just because he is successful in his profession.

Evan knows he has made mistakes, but is he man enough to fix them before his life comes crashing down on him for good?

Earth is another great instalment in the elements series, and I look forward to reading the next.

It’s taken me a while to process my feelings about this, the second of John Boyne’s Elements Quartet. Like the first novella, Water, it tackles difficult topics. But, where Water was subtle and atmospheric, Earth is the opposite: harsh, gritty and provocative to the point of repellent. It’s a potent, concise piece of writing; further evidence, if ever it were needed, of Boyne’s extraordinary versatility.

Earth is the story of Evan Keogh, who we saw at the end of Water taking flight from the small Irish island where he’d grown up. Evan is now a successful footballer for a London club and stands charged of accessory to a rape allegedly committed by one of his teammates.

Although the trial is the focal point of the narrative, we learn through flashbacks what has brought Evan to this point. His is a miserable story. From a domineering, abusive father to struggles with his sexuality; from pimping out his body to failing at the only career he ever wanted, it’s a tale of loneliness, desperation and disappointment.

Boyne expertly explores themes such as elitism and entitlement and poses searching questions about morality and conscience. Would Evan, having spent his entire life as the pawn of others, ever find the courage to be his own man?

I was intrigued to see how the title of this book would be reflected in the story, and here Boyne did not disappoint, deftly employing earth imagery to mirror Evan’s journey — from the beloved soil of his island roots to the filthy mud of the football pitch; from the sweet scent of home to the foul stench that has permeated his life since.

While much of this story made me in turn angry and sad, the ending is quite beautiful, and all the more satisfying for pitting the brutal bluster of a bullying father against the quiet wisdom of a loving mother.

Earth is without doubt another triumph for Boyne, whose art continues to surprise and delight in equal measure. Frustratingly, we have to wait another six months for Fire, the third novella in this compelling quartet. I, for one, am counting the days.

DNF: While I appreciate how good a writer John Boyne is, the focus and content of this novella was not for me and I had to stop reading it which is a rare thing for me! Many thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to review this ARC but it’s a definite no for me

This is a really captivating story about a young man, a footballer who ends up in court for filming and being accomplice to a rape. It's quite a satisfying story as it completes the tale at the end, doesn't leave us hanging about what happened and how he felt. In that sense it's an old-fashioned story, all from one person's point of view and we really get to know him, flaws and all, in the course of the book. He comes from the island which was a main character of sorts in 'Water' published last year, and the background of that book is significant for this one, showing how the insular and difficult upbringing there would affect someone. I read this very quickly as it captured my attention and is a page-turner, but also of course Boyne is an excellent story-teller and writer.

A very quick read for me mainly because I skimmed through the graffiti sexual details so what is left is just a short book. I’m not sure if I was supposed to feel sorry for Evan but I didn’t I thought he was far too self centred. The issues raised are numerous but not ones I want to engage with particularly so failed to make this any kind of entertaining read. The writing is good but the story wasn’t right for me.

Evan Keogh is a talented footballer with a promising future. That is until he is accused of accessory to rape. Running from his life on an island off the coast of Ireland, Evan initially dreams of being a painter before reality brings him back to his fate as a footballer. However, when his team mate is accused of Robbie raping a woman after a night out, the two men’s lives and careers are in jeopardy.

I love John Boyne’s work and Earth is no exception. Having an advanced proof, I was initially surprised by the length. However, the concise number of pages does not impact the complexity of the plot or the nature of the characters. Switching between the trial and Evan’s past, it is brilliantly written and discusses some dark and shocking themes.

A bold second part of a planned quartet of books, Earth tells the story of a second division footballer about to appear in court for a crime he may have commited with a friend. We read about his history, what caused him to leave the island before and how his story links to the earth he loves to paint and use in his art.
I really enjoyed this and thought it was bold in the choice of crime. It felt like many a court case we might see in the news, and it had an expected but disappointing outcome. These novellas are great for getting at the heart of a character and I'm interested to see how the next is linked to the first two. Great writing as always.

A very topical tale about the trial of two footballers accused of sexual assault and their behaviour surrounding it, including vile messages within a chat group. While one of the young men is at the court, he reflects on the events of his life that shaped him.

The title refers to the actual earth of his rural upbringing on a farm, how dirt is grounding and yet also soiling. Dreams, ambitions, secrets and truth are buried under the earth. A story about privilege, choices, accountability and shame, told in the first person and vividly displaying the cruelty of exploitation. It looks at how people sacrifice their own nature and ambitions to conform to things that are expected of them. At times a difficult read, uncompromising but beautifully written.

Tragic, intense and very real, a thoughtful book that reflects on our society today. Glad that it has a definite ending too. Recommended.

When we meet Evan he is about to face trial for sexual assault. He is a professional football player although he never wanted to be one. He wanted to be a painter but he lacked the talent. Instead, he had a talent for football and so finally he gave in and joint a club. But how did he end up in front of a court?



This is a sad and harrowing story about a young man finding his place in life. It is a short book but it is powerful and packed with difficult topics. This is the second book in Boyne’s elements series. Although “Earth” is not as impressive as “Water” it is still an engaging read. If you love Boyne’s books and especially “Water” you will enjoy this one as well. I am looking forward to “Fire”.

John Boyne is really in a different league when it comes to storytelling. He is an exceptionally talented writer and hooked me in from first page. I have read Water and while it was a difficult story it was still amazing. I was dying to read Earth and I couldn’t put it down. Yes it contains another character who is hard to like but by God this is a character who gets under your skin.

Evan is from one of Ireland’s islands. I have a small obsession with the islands so this was fascinating for me! Evan would like to be an artist but doesn’t have the talent, his talent is in football but sadly he has no interest in it. His chequered path to football fame and fortune was jaw dropping. Evan does not illicit sympathy from the reader… and yet he does. Does that make sense?!

I do not possess John Boyne’s eloquence but all I can say is, read this. Read it and enjoy it.

I adore John Boyne - he really makes me fall in love with his characters - likeable or not. Boyne has a way of telling a story without any wasted words. There's no waffle, yet he can create a world so immersive. One of my favourite writers.

I really enjoyed Boyne's 'Water' (the first in the elements short story collection) and so was super excited for this book. I somehow thought it would follow on or at least have a cross over character. Maybe we'll find they are linked later in the series - or maybe they are just completely separate.

This book has a plot that is frequently in the news - so immediately feels very real. Footballers on trial for sexual assault/rape.
I really enjoyed the format of the book, going back and forth in time as well as digging deeper into the protagonists life. It also has an excellent moment at the end (like in all of Boynes books) just when you think it's finished and all tied up, there's an extra something that makes you rethink everything you have just read.

The second book in the Elements quartet is even better than the first.

John Boyne has a talent for taking a tough subject and making it readable. The gravity of the situations his characters are in aren't belittled but there are moments of lightness in his dark humour that the reader needs.

An easy recommendation!

Thank you Penguin Random House for an advanced copy.

This is the second book in John Boynes quartet of novellas. “Earth” follows the story of Evan Keogh, last seen in “Water” leaving his west of Ireland island home, bound for London. Evans passion is abstract art, and he longs to be a professional artist. After multiple rejections of his work however, by several London galleries, he’s faced with a very different career change, as a professional footballer, at which he’s a natural. The novella opens with Evan readying himself for a trial where he and his friend and team-mate Robbie, have both been accused of sexual assault by a young student. It’s tabloid gold and there’s only one story in town.

The book flips over and back, describing how Evan, a young gay man, has arrived at this stage in his life. It’s a sad, at times harrowing story of abuse of power, privilege and sexual violence, as Evan struggles to find happiness and assert his true self. I really enjoyed this short, impactful read. If you enjoyed “Water”, you’ll love this follow-up, which interestingly, can be read as a standalone book. I can’t wait for book 3! Many thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouseuk for the advance copy in return for my honest review.

Absolutely fabulous. I bought Water first as my daughter said they need to be read in order. Oh wow. This is a highly talented and highly recommended author. I’ve just bought another book by him. The way this writer develops characters is something special. You’ll never forget them. Look forward to the next two which will make up the series!

Evan Keogh should have the world at his feet, a talented footballer who has represented his country. However, Even has spent his time running away. Away from an aggressive father, a small island that he's grown to hate, from his sexuality and from his past. Now Evan is in the dock, accused of being an accessory to rape, a pariah and a closeted gay man in an intolerant sport.
This is a masterful book. Boyne takes the idea of a tabloid sensation story, a footballer accused of rape and develops it in ways that drag the reader in. Evan is a sympathetic lead character, manipulated and tied into a story not of his making, mediocre at what he loves, talented at what he doesn't. It's superficially a story of prejudice but becomes so much more.

This is a very prescient novel exploring an accusation of rape against too top footballers. It's told mainly from the perspective of one of the two men who watched the alleged rape and also filmed it on his phone. That phone is now missing and both men are on trial. The way this story is explored was really gripping and it makes you think about consent and how different parties view consent - it's scary. I felt for the woman and how she was treated. The story gradually unfolds until you find out the truth and even though I could sense where the novel was going it's still somehow shocking. This is a story that will stay with me and I recommend it.

Rating - 4.5 stars rounded off to 5

Happy to be reviewing this exquisite, deeply affecting novella by #JohnBoyne on #EarthDay 🌏!

Thanks NetGalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers | Doubleday, for the opportunity/invite to read this.

Synopsis -

Popular and highly talented footballers, Evan Keogh and his friend Robbie Wolverton are charged with sexual assault. While the trial is ongoing, the events of Evan’s life that led to this point start unravelling. He has always wanted to be an artist, but thanks to innate football skills, his career has been chosen for him. Right from the time he leaves his little island near Galway, Evan has been forced to do unspeakable things to survive. Now, with his freedom and career at stake, Evan has a choice. Will he do the right thing?

Review -

Just in 168 pages, there’s just so much to unpack and examine with Evan’s life. His narrative alternates between the present – where he is under trial and his past – leaving home, trying his hand as an artist and becoming a football player. There are also some significant flashbacks from his life on the island.

It was very discomfiting to watch Evan go through what he did after he leaves his island. I flinched, sympathized and felt my heart break for this young man who was forced to use his body and sexuality to get by. Beware of trigger warnings.

Boyne masterfully interlinks every phase of Evan’s life to the next and throws several curveballs at us, which were impossible to see coming. Sometimes, I had to stop reading, close my eyes, exhale deeply and digest it all. The court room scenes were especially riveting.

While Evan yearned for his hands to have artistic talent, it’s his feet that are actually gifted. Rooted firmly in the earth, they have carried him from the depths of unimaginable, inhumane exploitation and humiliation to his current glory, fame and opulence. Despite his sins, the same earth, has now given him an opportunity for absolution.

In “Earth”, Boyne explores the grey areas in our morality, redemption and the human capacity to make righteous decisions, with his usual stroke of masterful writing.

Highly recommend! I am already looking forward to the next quartet in this brilliant element series.

Evan Keogh never wanted to be a professional footballer, he had no interest in the game, even though he had a great talent for it, no, he loved painting - abstract art was his passion, however, after showing his paintings to various galleries and being told he wasn’t good enough, he finally accepted the truth - art was not going to be a part of his future, but his God given talent for football was!

Right now though, he’s about to face trial alongside his teammate Robbie, on a charge of sexual assault, and we follow the trial and Evan’s life up to that point, as he reflects on events that led him to where he is now.

This is a powerful, sad, harrowing and emotional journey, with a headline that could have been ripped straight from the news headlines. Each character plays their role to perfection, flaws and all, which of course John Boyne excels at.

John Boyne has a way of writing that captures you in no matter what he writes.
I wasn't aware this book was part of a series, very short story but captivating nonetheless.