By John Boyne.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“There are widows. And widowers. And orphans. But there is no word to define a parent who loses a child. The language is missing a noun.”
Upon reaching the island, Vanessa Carvin swiftly adopts a new identity. In the eyes of the locals, she becomes Willow Hale, a reclusive outsider seeking refuge from Dublin's chaos in a quaint cottage—a far cry from the infamous woman evading her troubled history.
Yet, scandals persist like relentless pursuers, and Vanessa faces her pressing questions. If her ex-husband is truly the villain society portrays, to what extent was she complicit in his transgressions?
While fleeing her past may seem like a tempting solution, the decisions made during her marriage cast lingering repercussions. On this secluded island, Vanessa is compelled to examine both her actions and inactions.
Water is only 176 pages long, but what it lacks in size, it makes up for in propulsive pacing and drama, deftly packing a powerful punch. This is a story about exile, shame, and guilt, whilst presenting challenging and uncomfortable moments for you as the reader. It reflects the harsh realities of our contemporary world, with a backstory that resonates with the familiarity of news headlines and where we morally stand with the other people involved who may be innocent.
This is the first part of a quartet that will be released by John Boyne and are all based on the elements. His next book - Earth, is due to be released in April 2024. 🌍💧
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