I have been a fan of John Boyne for several years now, and have been looking forward to this book, which compiles 4 novellas previously released. It may be my favorite Boyne book. It is masterfully told, compelling, and deeply moving. It reveals the intricate spiderweb of people and relationships, the demonic impact of abuse of all kinds, and the glowing hope we all share that there is some meaning to this life. The manner in which Boyne ties his characters together while weaving their own stories is astonishing. I had the most trouble reading Fire, but the whole book is just one amazing journey. My thanks to the publisher and a Netgalley for making this available.

“The Elements” by John Boyne is a brilliantly written group of four interlinked stories that deal with the devastating topic of sexual abuse and the intergenerational trauma it inflicts on victims and perpetrators. I found the book very disturbing and warn anyone sensitive to this topic that this might not be the right book for you. At times, I almost abandoned the book but I am glad that I didn’t. The novel is important to force people to confront this topic and consider the impact on individuals, families, and society.
Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

John Boyne’s “The Elements” is tough, heart-wrenching, addicting, devastating, and human. A re-release of his Element novellas, now bound together to tell a more whole story, Boyne is writing some of his greatest stories here, though some of the hardest to read as well.

Elements is some dark stuff. Boyne covers sexual assault, molestation, rape, homophobia, and more through the almost 500 page book. It’s not just the acts that are tough to read, but the fallout of each event and the impact it has on the singular character (and their family and community.) But this is where these stories shine - how these characters survive these terrible acts or atone for their terrible deeds. Boyne handles these moments superbly, especially given his monumental work with “The Heart’s Invisible Furies” — I wouldn’t trust these with other authors.

I won’t get too deep into each Element novella, but I will say that while they’re all great, there are a few that are better than others. The first, “Water,” is my favorite, following “Willow” as she travels to an Irish island to escape her past. Here, we meet this island’s interesting and fully realized inhabitants. We’re Willow getting to know them (and hoping to come out of this better, more thoughtful people.) The second novella, “Earth,” follows Evan, who hopes to be an artist, but life takes him in another, darker direction. Earth is also the first time Boyne shows his masterful handiwork interconnecting these stories — it works much better here with the collection compared to the singular release of the novellas.

I do have some gripes, however. “Fire,” the third story, is objectively the hardest to get through and was hard to read. You can’t really root for this person but Boyne does posit the idea of the human - are we the person we are because of nature or nurture. The last novella, “Air,” though good, is admittedly the weakest but it does a great job tying up loose ends from the previous three novellas.

If you’ve read a Boyne novel, you know what you’re getting here. But you also know you’re in for an eye-opening experience that leaves you the reader with lots of thoughts to ponder, and some that will follow you long after you’ve closed the book and have said goodbye to (some) of these wonderful characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt & Company for this ARC.

John Boyle's The Elements is a wonderfully written novel that interweaves four separate stories.
Each story has one or two characters that appear briefly in some of the other stories, but each focus on the life of one character. What the stories have in common besides the intersecting lives involved in each is how the characters highlighted in each of the stories deals - or fails to deal -- with traumas and tragedies in their earlier lives. Several suffered sexual abuse, or were family members who suspected, but did nothing about the abuse. The various ways in which these characters deal with their past trauma or complicity - and how they each deal with these issues in very different ways - is at the heart of the book. Richly descriptive of the worlds in which these characters find themselves and the inner thoughts of the lead characters, it will keep your attention. Recommend it highly!

As a fan of John Boyne’s earlier novels, I was pleased to receive an advance copy of his new novel, The Elements, to be published in September 2025.

Boyne’s newest novel is poignant and sensitively-written - as you’d likely expect if you’ve read any of his previous work - but the structure is rather unexpected from Boyne. Written as a loosely linked series of four novellas, each dealing with the topic of sexual abuse (but from very different perspectives), Boyne ultimately weaves them all together with subtly interconnected characters and events. Although each novella can stand on its own (thanks to the strength of his characters and his incredible storytelling ability), they build on one another to create a powerful whole.

The Elements is an engrossing novel that deals with complex emotional issues: guilt, innocence, shame, complicity, and the resulting heartache of broken lives. It’s a novel that will probably make you squirm a little bit (and one that should come with a trigger warning), but it will, perhaps, also bring fresh perspectives and understanding to the complex emotions underlying this insidious reality for all too many.

Thank you to Henry Holt & Company and NetGalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on September 9, 2025.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5.

The Elements by John Boyne is a collection of four novellas that create a full story.
In Water, Vanessa’s life is shattered when a national news story breaks her family apart and she retreats to a tiny island off Galway. She spends a year on the island, recovering, growing and becoming herself again.
In Earth, Evan Keough, who grew up on that tiny island, is a nineteen year old football star in London. He is on trial for being an accessory to rape. We learn why he left the island, what his life became and what happens with that trial.
In Fire, we follow Freya, a burn specialist doctor who was the foreman of Evan’s trial two years prior. We learn that people aren’t always what they seem and contemplate the idea of nature versus nurture.
In Air, the most poignant of the four, Aaron, who learned for a time under Freya at the burn unit, is now a child psychologist. He has a teenaged son of his own and the majority of this story is his relationship with him. They end up on the same island where Vanessa started, as if it truly is a place of healing.
This collection of stories was incredible. The writing was phenomenal, the way each character connected to another from story to story and the deep themes of childhood trauma and trust, love and self doubt, and healing were thought provoking and meaningful.
Fire is probably the hardest one of the four to read, and could be a turn off for some, but I appreciated the fact that Boyne made sure not to use typical stereotypes and I got so much out of that one. If you have enjoyed previous novels by John Boyne or like a book that is set over decades with multiple plots that seamlessly intertwine at the end, you will enjoy this.
Overall this was a beautiful collection and I am very thankful to Net Galley and Henry Holt Company for my ARC.

Horrid Bit of Irrational Fiction
John Boyne, The Elements: A Novel (New York: Henry Holt and Company, September 9, 2025). EBook: $29.99. 496 pp; Literary Fiction. ISBN: 978-1-250410-36-8.
*
An “exploration of guilt, blame, trauma, and the human capacity for redemption… An epic saga that weaves together four interconnected narratives, each representing a different perspective on crime: the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim. The narrative follows a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son. Each is somehow connected to the next, and as the story unfolds, their lives intersect in unimaginable ways. Both an engrossing drama and a moving investigation of why and how we allow crime to occur… Challenging readers to confront their own conceptions of guilt and innocence at every step… The book ultimately asks: What would you do when faced with the unthinkable?”
I do not understand what this story is about from this blurb. It is all over the place. What is the “past” the mother is running from? What trial would a soccer star face? Why would it be relevant to mention that a random surgeon has childhood trauma? What does a father have to do with a transformation his son is going through? Why would these be connected? Is the soccer start the son who is transforming? It is indeed “unimaginable” how they would connect. But this is not a good thing. “We allow crime to occur”? Why would “we” be responsible from stopping crime from generally occurring? I’m pretty sure all readers have the same “conceptions of guilt”… That’s what the law says is criminal or not… And so, this book asks if readers would do crime? I forget why I requested this novel. I think I was trying to figure out the type of novels Henry Holt (a major publisher) is currently interested in. If this is it… I don’t think any literary author can manage to fit their interests.
The first chapter opens with a character changing her name, while complaining the original was her “birthright”, and noting she only did it because she is guilty of being “complicit in a crime”. Then, she says she changed it again “a few minutes later”. She goes into the explanation for the new name, without clarifying if she has made yet another fake ID, or just how or why she keeps spending thousands, or however much on these name-changes. Then, she worries about her blonde hair, whiling shaving it off. There’s a mention of being in somebody else’s cottage… Or maybe it’s the character’s, and they are just checking it out right after arriving. A paragraph is spent on empty chatter about drinking some water.
I cannot continue review this novel. It is just unreadable. I do not recommend others try. For example, the first mention of “trauma” (anticipated in the blurb), appears some pages in when a female character is refusing foods and is screaming with “earth-shattering sounds”. It is not this child that is traumatized, but rather the narrator who is traumatized by the child’s starvation, and extreme distress: “this nightly ritual soon became so traumatic that I assigned the job to Brendan, refusing to have anything more to do with it.” What on earth? There is a baby in distress. The mother cannot figure out a strategy to pacify or feed it. And is complaining that she is traumatized because the baby is at fault for causing a raucous. This abandonment of a child by a mother who hates screaming is hardly emotionally insightful. Unless maybe this is why women go through post-partem depression. The baby just drives them “mad” by being exceedingly needy, and taking attention from what the mothers need? This is not good writing. Keep away.
Pennsylvania Literary Journal: Spring 2025 issue: https://anaphoraliterary.com/journals/plj/plj-excerpts/book-reviews-spring-2025

Wow—The Elements completely blew me away. I’ve read and loved John Boyne’s past work, but this might be his most powerful novel yet. It follows four characters whose lives are deeply affected by one man’s actions, each from a totally different angle: a mother haunted by guilt, a rising soccer star whose secrets are about to come out, a surgeon trying to keep the past buried, and a father taking a road trip with his son that changes everything. The way their stories connect is subtle at first, but when it all clicks—wow. I couldn’t put it down.

What I loved most is how real and human these characters felt. None of them are perfect, but Boyne writes them with so much empathy that you can't help but care. The themes—guilt, complicity, redemption—are heavy, but the pacing is great and the writing is beautiful without being overly complicated. If you enjoy novels that explore messy relationships, tough questions, and emotional depth, I highly recommend this one. It’s the kind of book that sticks with you.

John Boyne is one of my favorite authors, and he just keeps getting better and better. The Elements is everything I want in a book - it's a page-turner with fascinating characters, meaty with plenty to think about, and crafted so skillfully that I don't know how he manages to do it. In short, read it! The book tells four intertwined stories represented by the four elements and each relates to healing from unthinkable experiences. It's a wonderful book - I highly recommend!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of The Elements by John Boyne.

I LOVE Boyne, he has not disappointed me once.

This book gets five stars, but I want to be clear, that doesn't mean that I think everyone should read it. It's got hard stuff in it, like, REALLY hard stuff. Every chapter, every new story has been plagued with some sort of abuse. And that's his point, he's demonstrating how the sludge of abuse and harm has far-reaching consequences and victimizes people who aren't even close to the epicenter of that specific harm. The writing style is genius and unique and SO captivating, even with the difficult content.

Having been a fan of John Boyne for years, I was beyond thrilled to receive an early edition of his latest. As in his other books, he approaches his subject with depth and humanity and not a little humor, but overall with a seriousness that the subject demands. Four interlocked novellas with four distinct protagonists present a history of sexual abuse with an unconventional slant. Yes, there is the familiar situation of an older man preying on young women, but also the woman who rapes teenage boys as a distorted method of revenge. What Boyne has managed to provide are reasons without doling out sympathy, and the reader is more aware of the long terms effects of these crimes on not just the victims, but also those associated with them. I cannot recommend this book highly enough with the caveat that it is powerful and pulls no punches.

Water, Earth, Fire, Air weaves together four distinct stories, each tied to one of the titular elements. These narratives are intricately interwoven in unexpected ways. The novel delves into the painful realities of sexual assault and the overwhelming guilt that accompanies it, all through the perspectives of four different characters. It’s raw, challenging, and difficult to read at times, but undeniably powerful.

I particularly appreciated how the book explores gender roles in the context of sexual assault. It also examines the various roles people play in these situations — the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim — and challenges how each of these roles is defined and understood.

I definitely recommend this one! Especially for fans of Oprah's Book Club selections!

“The Elements” by John Boyne is a devastating and brilliantly written group of four novellas that deal with the brutal topic of sexual abuse. As a warning for anyone sensitive to this issue these characters and stories may not be for you. That being said, it’s hard to put this book down. These four stories are interconnected and the theme of generational trauma inflicted upon perpetrator to victim so compelling that it forces the reader to focus on how we treat each other and the role of community and its inability to take action.
This novel is important as it forces you to think about the subject matter. I commend the author for always tackling these difficult subjects with such spectacular writing and insight.

Thank you NetGalley and Henry Holt & Co. for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

WATER. When Vanessa Carvin arrives on a remote island off of Ireland, the first thing she does is change her name to Willow Hale. A new start in her self exile, a way of escaping her life and the viscous gossip that has tormented her for the past year. Her husband (ex) is in prison, her eldest daughter has passed away and her youngest will not send more than a one word text message. The question of guilt lies heavy on her heart, self punishment - her solution. FIRE. Freya is a well known surgeon who specializes in burns. She is a role model and mentor with a dark buried past. Raised on her own due to a dangerously negligent mother and barely there grandmother - Freya has had to fend for herself as far back as she can remember. When the reader learns the chilling truth of her bizarre and dangerous behavior outside of work it is hard to comprehend how Freya became this way. EARTH. Features two famous footballers caught up in sexual assault charges. They are good looking, popular and surrounded by boys will be boys attitudes. Since Evan left the small Irish island he grew up on he has excelled to attain the dreams of his father while secretly and quietly hiding his sexuality and lifelong desire to be a painter. In a short span of time this story manages to cover difficult topics and ethical dilemmas. How far would you go to save yourself? AIR. Aaron is on a long flight with his 15 year old son Emmett. After all these years living in Sidney, Australia, he is heading back to where it all began. No-one is expecting them, in fact Rebecca will be quite shocked to see them. But it is important for his son and somehow Aaron just knows it is the right thing to do. As they fly across the world he slowly reveals his painful past, and can finally imagine a new future. Four novellas. All FIVE stars!!! DO NOT MISS THIS!!!!!

This is in Boyne’s classic style. It deals with some light themes, some very dark themes, with humanity and humor.

I’m a Boyne fan. There’s a smooth capability to his storytelling that’s usually seductive and often gripping. Those skills are visible here, but hitched to a rather histrionic loop of narrative that visits sexual abuse in a manner that’s often seems way over the top. The villains are so villainous that there’s more than a touch of melodrama to the proceedings. And that undermines the integrity of tackling such a grave subject - child sexual abuse, and lifelong trauma.
Also, the format, of connected lives and stories is a tad too neat and tidy. The plot machinery is too close to the surface. And the book is VERY long.
Having said all that, I did read it all, so that says something. But it’s not his best work.

This is a heavy, introspective novel that looks at guilt, trauma, and the long-term impact of the roles people play in each other’s lives. The story unfolds through multiple perspectives, and each one adds a layer of complexity that makes you reflect on what it really means to take responsibility—or avoid it. It’s not an easy read emotionally, but the writing is strong and the characters feel painfully real. It stays with you even after you finished the book. I definitely recommend it.

The four storylines intertwined worked well. This isn't usually my favorite kind of story structure, but if anyone is capable, it is John Boyne. I also liked that all four perspectives felt like different people--not any easy feat to accomplish. I loved The Heart's Invisible Furies, it was one of my favorite books of all time. I was very excited to read this one and it didn't disappoint whatsoever. Sexual abuse is always a very difficult topic for me to read, but it is extremely necessary that we talk about it.

I have been wanting to read Boyne's novels since I first found out about them. They were published in England individually over the last few years but never made it here to the US. Now that I've read it, I think having them published all together is actually so much more powerful than reading them one by one, a year apart.

This was an incredibly powerful read. Boyne's ability to create three-dimensional characters is incredible. In 170 or so pages, the reader gets to know the characters so deeply well that it can evoke all sorts of emotions. I loved how there's always a tie-in from story to story, I loved how the lens changes with each story and you're experiencing a totally different perspective and you feel frustration, sorrow, anger, despair and so much more for each character at different times. I love how much these stories stretch your mind and show you that people are complex, stories are complex, we are all flawed in ways big and small.

It makes you think about your own boundaries with what's forgivable and what's not. About grief and it's lasting impact. About trauma and it's ability to stain all that comes after it. About forgiveness. And I love that the last story brings everything back full cycle.

Boyne is an incredibly talented author. These are hard stories to read, all of them. And they are also really really powerful.

with gratitude to netgalley and Henry Holt and Co. for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

This is not an easy book to read. There is a lot of trauma regarding sexual abuse. The book is divided into 4 parts that are loosely connected.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy.