All the Elements Four in One

One of the books that I have recommended regularly over past years is The Hearts Invisible Furies by John Boyne – it is a story that stayed with me long after the last page was read and now John Boyne has done it again with his latest novel The Elements. It is in fact four shorter novels which were released at six monthly intervals and then produced together in one beautiful volume. They are entitled Water, Earth, Fire, Air and each is a story of its own, with its own flavour, location and emphasis– although as you may have expected – there are crossovers between characters and overlapping stories too complex to do them real justice here– from a mother running from the past, a young footballing star on trial, a surgeon with a secret life and a father and son on a journey together that will change everything. There are themes of coercion, abuse, control, as well as restoration, justice and redemption.

Each story can certainly be read on its own– but the magic is in the fitting together of a much bigger picture by the reader. The books can also be read out of the order in which they were written and the reader will still experience the mind blowing job of fitting together each element and I predict that the temptation to read them all again will be irresistible!

I am envious of those of you who will be reading this for the first time – relish the experience and marvel at the brilliance of the author! Oh, and tell your friends! A personal recommendation is the best way to share a good book.
 
We have recently had the pleasure of interviewing John Boyne for our Bookcited! podcast– the episode will be released over the Summer so keep an eye out for it along with over 100 other episodes of interviews with authors and other book chat. Happy Reading 😊

Borrow these titles from the Catalogue:
 
The Elements / John Boyne
Water
Earth
Fire by John Boyne
Air by John Boyne 
Air by John Boyne - eBook format