Earth is the second novella in John Boyne’s Elements Quartet.
Evan Keogh is one of two well-known footballers charged with sexual assault, the story switches between
the trial and the events in Evan’s life that preceded it.
All Evan wanted was to be an artist and to be loved, what he had was an unhappy childhood, betrayals and violence and even when he becomes a successful footballer that also comes at a price.
John Boyne has written a compelling tale that’s extraordinary in its depth exploring themes including homophobia, misuse of social media and the ingrained prejudice against women who accuse men of rape, as Evan questions how his life has got to this point and who is the man he wants to become?
Not always an easy read but an absolutely outstanding one.


Thanks to Penguin Random House UK & NetGalley for an ARC

Another wonderful novel from John Boyne. I loved the connection to Water, the previous novel in this quartet, where we left Evan leaving the island that he refers to in this book. The metaphorical references to the earth gave me a sense of what this meant to Evan, and this imagery was powerful at the end of the book when Evan made the decision that he did.

I found the story sad, disturbing and Evan's hopes, dreams, disappointments and relationships in his life were strongly present. Along with this, there is a page page-turning plot with all the pace of a thriller. I absolutely loved this book and it was a privilege to be an early reader. I can't wait to read Fire and Air.

This is the second in a quartet of novels - Water, Earth, Fire and Air.

Earth is the story of Evan, who left 'the island' during the novel Water. Much of Earth is Evan's first person narrative covering both his initial arrival in London and then his part in a court case in the current timeline. I was hooked after the first two pages! I didn't remember Evan's link to the first novel Water initially. And even when 'the island' is mentioned for the first time, it took me a while to click despite looking out for connections.

I loved this book and am really enjoying the series. There are quite a few reflections on 'earth' - from the smell of the football pitch to the more tenuous link about the pull back to where we come from. All very well delivered, wrapped up in a fast paced storyline with some unexpected twists. I'm very much looking forward to the next instalment.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

More on the theme of people caught up in the sort of sensational situations that the press delight in reporting in so much detail - this time the trial of two young footballing stars for rape. Despite the harrowing nature of this story and many unpleasant characters, the quality of John Boyne’s writing kept me riveted to it and keen to see how it turned out for them all. I particularly enjoyed the link to the first book in this series, Water, and the opportunity to see how Evan gets on in his new life away from the island. Not at all the life he would have chosen for himself. I feared for him throughout, right to the very last page. So looking forward to the next.

The story of Evan, a young footballer, who is on trial for accessory to rape. It is really well written, I immersed myself in the story because the characters are so well described and believable. Maybe its a storyline that you've seen before, but it explores the background, going back decades, so that you understand the complexities that are playing out. Really well written and not glorified at all in my opinion. Water was the first in this quartet of novels, I can't wait for the next two, Fire and Air! Thoroughly recommended.

Having read half of this series, I'm making the bold statement, that I think they could well turn out to be his best work.

Expanding on a character from the previous book, catching us all up with where he's been, what he's done, and where he is at now.
I flew through this book, and turned the last page and just felt a bit sad.
Sad for Evan.

Can not wait for the next book.

TW: Sexual assault, rape

I always appreciate John Boyne’s literary skill. He seems
to be able to turn his hand to any subject matter, and this book covers perhaps one of the most difficult topics yet. I find it hard to give this one a rating. It was an uncomfortable read, sensitively written.

Chuffed to receive a digital copy of this from Penguin Random House, as I read Water and loved it. I’ve since heard the author speak about the concept of writing 4 different stories from protagonists we don’t usually hear from. The first book was the wife of a man convicted of sexual assault and this book is about a rape trial. I did wonder should I read this book in the middle of some schmalzy christmas reads. Not exactly enticing subjects but Boyne’s writing is so evocative, you don’t exactly empathise with the characters but you do get absorbed in the story.

If you are from Ireland, the first few pages will bring you back to the Belfast rape trial involving some high profile rugby players which had wall to wall coverage in Irish press a couple of years ago. This sets up the story and it plays out in a dual timeline, one along with the trial, and the second the backstory for Evan. The two stories collide, and I did not see the collision coming and it really took me aback. It is hard to describe the collision as good, but it is impactful and so clever. Indeed, I found the whole structure of the story clever - giving us things we didn’t know we needed. It is gritty and details are not pleasant.

As we reach the end of the book, there is a shocking chapter, where I was taken aback for the second time. Again, I had no inkling it was going there, but reflecting back, it kind of makes sense.

The ending/prologue wraps up appropriately and the reader is left satisfied. I would love to read a book that tells the next twenty years of the protagonists life.

The book is published in May 2024 and is currently available on @netgalley

What a pleasure I have in store as I now have a new author to savour and explore his back list. This was a beautifully written account of a young footballer and his tail along with a team mate for rape. He yearns to be an artist and find peace of mind as he has escaped from a horrid home background and a domineering father - a failed footballer himself trying to live his life vicariously through the abilities of his son.

The writing is sensational and there is a wistfulness on every page. Boyne follows Ross Raisin in exploring the fate of the gay footballer with sensitivity and this book is a total delight from start to finish.

This book tells the story of Evan, a professional footballer at an unnamed club in England, who along with one of his team-mates, is on trial for a sex crime. The story features two timelines - one focussing on the trial and the other on the young man's journey from his home on an untamed island off the coast to Ireland to signing for a professional football club, as the story progresses Evan has to make a decision about the kind of man he really wants to be. I loved this book, it is so well written and you are torn between feeling sympathy for Evan and loathing the person that he has become.

I literally cannot praise this author enough - his books are wonderful!
What a life poor Evan had, not quite good enough to pursue his career as an artist, forced to move to England from his small Irish island. After some horrific experiences trying to earn enough to live on, he realises he has to utilise his one talent- football. He doesn't even enjoy the game, but he uses it as a means to an end, becoming embroiled in the misogynistic, toxic atmosphere of Premier League football.
The court scenes are amazing, and painful to read at times. I recommend all books by this author, especially one of my favourites of all time, The Heart's Invisible Furies.

This is simply amazing!

If this isn't on your radar then it needs to be!

Once again Boyne has created a truly magnificent short story that packs a punch.

Whilst the main story follows rape and an accessory to rape trial with alternating chapters of the court scenes and the events leading up to it, the heart of the story is the cycle of the earth, our home and our past/roots...

The island Evan grew up on and escaped from. The earth beneath him whilst he was humiliated by who he thought was a friend. The grass he plays football on. The earth which hides his secrets, and the reminder of how at different parts of his life the earth has stifled him and restrained him.

Again, seclusion (he is an outsider in the life he never wanted to live) and loneliness (even though he is surrounded by people he is never truly himself) are prevalent themes throughout alongside what it means to be loved and to love.

The way Boyne writes and creates a sentence is beautiful. There’s such power in so little words and the pacing is great. I found myself reading the entire book in 24 hours and only putting it down to walk the dog or eat.

I loved WATER, but I can honestly say I loved this even more. One of my favourite reads of the year!
I cannot wait to see where he takes Freya's story in FIRE.

Thank you to Random House UK, Doubleday, Transworld publishers for an early ARC.

A little disappointing this time. Earth was good but not as good as Water.
I think for me the problem was that I did not like the rape story line, stereotypically involving famous footballers. It made me cringe. Probably my bad as older female.

Boyne writes really well .The main character is well drawn and complex though. I feared for him by the end.
I would recommend as this seems to be part of a series. Short read.

I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers.

Second amazing novel from John Boyne's Elements Quartet. Evan, a promising and rich young footballer, is on trial for accessory to rape. Boyne touches on family relations, misogynistic culture, social media and much more. Is Evan innocent, guilty, or a product of his childhood, does he deserve our sympathy? Great read.

This novella is the follow-up to John Boyne's recent book, Water, although can certainly be read and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of whether they have read the earlier book (which I'd also recommend) or not.
Without wishing to give too much away, the story revolves around a scandal within the world of professional football and the trial that follows. A soccer player has been accused of rape, while one of his teammates has apparently recorded the whole thing on his phone. Both men now stand accused.
But are they truly guilty? What exactly happened that night?
Boyne keeps the reader guessing almost right up to the very end. As in Water, the issue of social media rears its ugly head.. Then there is the unnamed remote island off the coast of the Irish Republic. In Water, the island served as a welcome place to escape a major scandal erupting on the mainland. In Earth, it is the island itself which the main character is determined to escape from.
In short, this is a compelling read which leaves the reader wondering what the prolific Boyne will produce next.

Earth is the second book of Boyne's new series following on from Water however this is not a continuation of the previous story. Instead Boyne the same theme runs through these novels, sexual offending, social media, society, shame.

In Earth, we follow the story of two young footballers as they stand trial for rape and accessory to rape. The protagonist, Evan, is the one of trial for accessory to rape as he stands accused of filming his teammate's crime.

We are told the story through alternating chapters of the trial but also Evan's life growing up and trying to escape his childhood.

As you can imagine, the book is brutal in parts, the courtroom scenes horrific as is the life of Evan as a young man. The themes of privilege of young men, misogynistic culture, social media are all played out as we find the outcome and consequences of the jury's verdict.

Like Water, this is a short novel but it packs a punch that very few authors out there could do in twice as long a book. I genuinely don't know how Boyne does it time after time but he is my all time favourite author. I would read anything he writes.

Massive thanks to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld Publishers, Doubleday for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Earth is the second in John Boyne's Elements Quartet- following hot on the heels of the superb 'Water'.

This is the story of Evan - a young man striving to escape the world of his past and find his own freedom and identity ; but it's not that simple and the actions of one night and his presumed complicity in a sexual act leads to a downward spiralling of life.

Evan is a well-known professional footballer and gay and is accused of filming of the events of a sexual assault committed by a fellow player. The book is focussed around the court case and Evan's reflections back upon his past and the decisions he takes to move forward and survive..

This is a story about the need and desire to be loved and love and how the past can surprise/stifle/suffocate that instinct and feeling. The earth from which we come - our family - our roots- our home - builds that base and Evan's childhood and hidden sexuality has resulted in limited paternal loveland aggression and that natural instinct of being able to love is pushed deep within the earth.

Evan has a gift as a footballer but does not want to use it to the anger and chagrin of his father. When he' escapes' the island from where his family lives he wants to follow his dream to be an artist - but as the story proceeds his life takes a different and ultimately darker path.

The court case and details of Evan's life pull you in a multitude of directions- sympathy, empathy, moments of definite discomfort and a deepening feeling and sense of certainty that Evan is a victim of the life he has lived- but is he innocent of the crime that he is accused of?

John Boyne again challenges us as a reader to reflect upon the 'modern world' and lifestyle choices - the desire of many for fame, money , greed, control and their subsequent outcomes and the ever growing detachment felt by many that is disconnecting people from one another in so many ways. This is a book you will want to talk about and reflect upon- the denouement was certainly powerful-and no spoiler -again revealed how within the earth we can hide our darkest secrets.

This is a one seat read that will not allow you to breathe until the end
Highly recommended - a challenging and deeply thought provoking read

It's a slim book which I digested in one session, but what a seismic story. Like the first story in the trio, Water, social media figures large. This time two professional footballers are pilloried as they wait for their trial on sex offences involving a 19 year old girl.
John Boyne paints a picture of a cabal of young men, pampered, rich and hunting in packs for women. The women are crudely ranked and discussed on WhatsApp. Sometimes they are videoed,. The assumption is usually that they are lying when cases get to court, which is rare in itself. And we seem to think it's entirely normal.
The story is told from the perspective of Evan Keogh, one of the two young men. He fled an Irish island and became a footballer reluctantly became he wasn't original enough to be an artist. He had to prostitute himself for money and had traumatic experiences. He is now highly paid in a sport that rejects diversity (he's gay). He is under the thrall of straight team mate Robbie.
Regarded as effete by his father (who actually wouldn't know the word), Keogh is forced to look at his life so far and see if he is the man he wanted to be.
A sobering tale for our times. I couldn't stop reading.