I'm a fan of John Boyne, but not a fan of short stories., even when they are "connected." Fortunately for me this was connected novellas. With short stories just when you are getting into them, they end. Not so with this book. We have 4 almost exactly 25% length books in a book and connected in such a way that you couldn't wait to see who would be next and where the story would go.

Interesting characters, great writing, good storytelling with a creative take on the connected story novel.

I struggled a bit with the 3rd section, Fire. It wasn't all that credible to me, and I do know it was the whole point of the section but I couldn't really reconcile it. Regardless, it didn't diminish my satisfaction with the book overall.

I tore through this. I read it in 3-sittings which has not happened with a 500-page book since the advent of social media. Readers have a lot to look forward too here.

The Elements by John Boyne is a quartet of stories named for the four elements: Water, Earth, Fire, Air. In the UK, these novellas were published as individual books and that is how I stumbled upon them. I am fortunate enough to have been given the ARC by NetGalley for the US Version containing all four stories as "The Elements", to be published in September 2025.

In summary, this is a book containing interconnected stories related to trauma that humans inflict on one another. However, I would not call this "trauma lit". While the plot and interwoven themes are important to the forward-motion of this novel, what stands out to me primarily is the genius of Boyne's writing. No matter the topic or circumstance he writes in such a way that I can not look away; can not put the book down. From the setting descriptions to the story, told primarily through dialogue, the reader feels as if INSIDE the communities being examined. The four stories in this novel are told from different characters' perspectives, each of whom has played a role in a trauma from perpetrator to victim. The traumas vary, but are all inflicted by another person with lasting consequences. One of the stories in particular gets extremely dark and disturbing. And yet, with Boyne's masterful story telling, the reader, tempted to put down the book, carries on. These character driven stories made me reflect deeply on the human condition and how we treat one another, the role of community, and the beauty of connection. The brilliantly interconnected characters, the settings, the dialogue and the multiple storylines (even the disturbing bits) are impossibly perfect. My personal favorites were Water and Air. I know this novel will stay with me for years. One of the best I've read.

Note: not that it matters, but I am not a fan of the US cover art. The UK books more closely convey the richness of the stories to me!

John Boyne delivers yet another emotionally astute and quietly devastating novel in The Elements. Known for his ability to delve into the moral complexities of human behavior, the book is composed of four deeply introspective novellas, "Water," "Earth," "Fire," and "Air," with each providing haunting, confronting, and moving investigations into sexual abuse and its consequences from different viewpoints. Each of the novellas is from a different perspective - the enabler, accomplice, a perpetrator, and a victim. The lives of the characters intersect across stories in intriguing ways. By linking the novellas and characters, the author shows us how the cycle of abuse can cause people to shift from one role to another.

Boyne’s prose is as elegant and restrained as ever. He doesn’t overwrite emotions—he trusts the reader to feel what’s not being said, which is exactly what makes this novel so moving. The book is steeped in melancholy because of Boyne's unflinchingly honest writing, but there are also flickers of hope and grace that make the stories feel like redemption may be a possibility.

What I appreciated most is Boyne’s refusal to offer neat resolutions. Many of the relationships in The Elements, between parents and children, between teammates, and even between physicians and those who should trust them, are fractured in ways that feel painfully real. There’s an authenticity in the way Boyne portrays long-term consequences of personal failings and the difficulty along with the hardship of forgiveness.

If you’re already a Boyne fan, The Elements will feel like a natural continuation of his thematic explorations. If you’re new to his work, it’s a beautifully self-contained introduction to his sharp insight into flawed humanity. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy introspective fiction, literary family dramas, and stories about reconciliations that don’t come easy. It was hard to read because of the subject matter, but because it was written by John Boyne, it was even harder to put down.

Thank you to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley. This book will be published on September 9, 2025.

John Boyne’s The Elements is a masterfully composed, thematically rich novel that cements his reputation as one of the most versatile and ambitious storytellers working today. Structured around the classical elements of water, earth, fire, and air, this quartet of interconnected narratives spans continents, eras, and lives—yet is anchored by a single point of connection: a remote island off the Irish coast.

Boyne inhabits each first-person narrator with remarkable dexterity, lending authenticity and empathy to characters of varying backgrounds, genders, and identities. The prose is elegant and restrained, the kind that draws attention not to itself but to the emotional resonance of its subjects. Through precise language and a deft command of pacing, Boyne allows each voice to emerge fully formed, every chapter a distinct and compelling lens on trauma, identity, and redemption.

Flashbacks and foreshadowing are seamlessly interwoven, with each revelation deepening the reader’s understanding of both character and theme. The novel is unafraid to grapple with heavy issues—abuse, loss, displacement, self-delusion—but does so with subtlety and grace, never succumbing to melodrama or didacticism.

What is most impressive, perhaps, is Boyne’s ability to combine literary depth with the propulsion of a taut psychological thriller. The Elements is both a profoundly philosophical meditation on human frailty and a compulsively readable novel.

In its scale, ambition, and emotional acuity, Boyne’s work recalls that of David Mitchell—another writer unafraid to straddle the metaphysical and the intimate. A remarkable achievement.

When John Boyne takes you for a ride, buckle up! I am glad I was able to read all four novellas in one go, as it made the reading experience better for me.

Be ready, you will not feel joy reading this, but the stories are told in such a way that it will be hard to put down (I did have to take a break between Fire and Air to catch my breath, though).

Read this and be ready to question your biases!

Wow! How have I not read any of John Boyne’s novels before now? I am an instant convert.

The Elements, Water, Earth, Fire, and Air, is a book of four intertwined novellas. The novellas follow characters that are equally worthy of pity and hatred. There is Vanessa, the mother who moves to an isolated island to outrun the media after her husband is convicted of a terrible crime; Evan who is accused of taking part in an assault, while being blackmailed with with some salacious past choices; Freya, a burn surgeon who holds a terrible secret; and Aaron trying to balance being a good father with coming to terms with past trauma.

I loved the way the author weaves the stories together. It was brilliant how he made the stories interrelated, though not in the ways you expect. Each of the stories COULD be read separately, but the ways he ties them to the previous stories gives it great background. There were times I audibly gasped as I was reading because of the ties back to the other sections of the book.

These are not lovable characters. They all have pasts that in some sense cause them to make terrible choices or alter their lives because of one decision. In many ways, this book is about the characters trying to justify the choices and to recover from the consequences of those choices. It was brilliantly done.

As a warning, this book deals with some really heavy subjects - pedophilia, incest, sexual assault, prostitution, child abuse. But while the characters are grappling with these issues, the book is also about parental love, friendship, coming of age, forgiveness, and ultimately coming to terms with the past.

I loved this book so much. It’s already on my list for favorite 2025 reads. 5⭐️s from me!

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan Publishing for an advanced copy of the book. It is scheduled to be published on September 9, 2025.

Every once in a while, a book comes along that reshapes how you see people — and maybe even yourself. The Elements is that book.

The Elements was first released in Boyne’s native Ireland, section by section — and what a journey it is. Comprised of four elemental parts, the novel unfolds as a powerful saga, each piece intricately connected, each voice adding new depth to a shared thematic core: shame, silence, and survival in the wake of scandal.

We begin with a mother on the run, grieving the life she once had and hiding from the tabloids. From there, we meet a closeted soccer star living in the shadow of denial, a haunted surgeon whose trauma is just beneath the surface, and a father trying to bridge the growing chasm between himself, his ex-wife, and the son they both failed in different ways.

Boyne’s writing is fearless. Each character is drawn with such aching precision, you’ll feel as if you know them more intimately than some people in your real life. And yet, despite all the pain and reckoning these stories hold, there’s also an undeniable thread of hope.

I believe this book will change you.

Don’t hesitate. Read it. Let it sit with you. Let it move you.

#JohnBoyne #TheElements #HenryHolt #HenryHoltAndCompany #Bookstagram #LiteraryFiction #ReadThisNow

With The Elements, John Boyne delivers another masterfully crafted story, rich with complexity and nuance—just like life itself.

Told in four separate yet interconnected narratives, The Elements explores what the publisher describes as four perspectives of abuse: enabler, accomplice, perpetrator, and victim. But beneath the surface, these characters—and their counterparts—illustrate the intricate nature of the abuse cycle and how easily one can shift from one role to another.

In “Water,” a woman retreats to a remote island after a public scandal. She leaves behind a husband now in prison and a daughter who has died by suicide, drowning herself. Her surviving daughter reaches out only sporadically, leaving her uncertain if there’s any family left to hold onto.

“Earth” follows a famous soccer player and his teammate, both on trial for not only rape, but recording the attack. Are they guilty of the crime or are they targets of an opportunistic fan?

In “Fire,” a pediatric burn specialist dedicates her career to healing. Yet, in the shadows, her own demons drive her to inflict harm, creating new victims instead of saving them.

Finally, in “Air,” a father and son journey from Australia to Ireland. The father, still grappling with the trauma of his past, struggles to protect his son from the evils he once endured—all while trying to heal himself.

These four narratives intertwine through shared characters, but more importantly, they examine similar themes from different perspectives. What choices does one have after experiencing abuse? How does trauma shape feelings of guilt and complicity? And what role does community play in enabling, ignoring, or overcoming these cycles?

I’m a huge fan of John Boyne, and The Elements exceeded my expectations – which are pretty high considering how I felt about A Ladder to the Sky and A History of Loneliness.

Boyne’s characters are unforgettable. I admire his unflinching honesty in portraying the darkest corners of the human soul, always searching for a glimmer of humanity. Sometimes he finds it, sometimes he doesn’t—but either way, his stories spark conversation and reflection. And that, to me, is the mark of a truly great book.

Verdict: My highest recommendation. Book clubs will have plenty to discuss with this one.

Thank you NetGalley! A complex book divided by the elements and a certain character’s story. Water. A woman self exiles to a small island to escape yes but also to find herself. Earth. A young footballer finds life on his own difficult and enters into circumstances he didn’t anticipate. Fire. A surgeon who works on the burn unit has hid her past but it’s her lifestyle that is the most repulsive. Air. A loving father and his teenage son consider the absence of his ex-wife. Each element’s character deal with the intense emotions of love or lack there of and the secrets that drive some to depravity. Intricately weaved the book delves into the psyches of the deprived and the vulnerability of the exploited and reaches for compassion and understanding for the survivors as it comes full circle. Hard to read but harder to put down.

The Elements is a stunning novel that tells the story of four people whose stories are all connected. John Boyne masterfully pulls the reader into the story even though the subject matter is, at times, difficult to read, but oh, is it worth it in the end. The best book I've read this year. Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed reading this book! I love the way these people's lives went on a rollercoaster of change. I think the themes of grief, trauma, redemption, and growth were great. I liked the writing style of this book as well. It was a great read

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

John Boyne is one of my favorite novelists and this book is one I will be putting into many people’s hands. Four sections interconnect into a well paced, compelling plot with believable and well developed characters. I love that it starts and ends in one of my favorite places on this earth; the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland. Boyne’s depiction of island life is insightful and it honestly is a wonderful place to heal and put everything in perspective. It’s also the closest part of Ireland to the US and one of the characters does end up here. As well as a fundamentally great story, we get to consider several heavy topics, most prevalent is the issue of the sexual abuse of a minor and its long lasting effects on the individual, the family and the community. Don’t let this deter you from reading this book, however. Boyne has a light touch and there is no judging or extraneous commentary. Instead we get to feel, empathize and maybe even understand the actions of unlikeable characters. Ultimately, I think this book shows how resilient people are despite the horrible things that we do to each other. There is a sense of hope, especially at the end. It’s not a happy ending but it’s uplifting. Thanks to the author and to Net Galley and the publisher Henry Holt for this preview copy. John Boyne continues to amaze me.

I enjoy reading John Boyne’s books. His latest, The Elements, was a phenomenal read. Pick this one up this fall.

This is for me a very difficult review to write without revealing too much. It is four interconnected novellas so packed they read like four interconnected novels-each titled by a different element-water, fire, earth and air- and each element essential to its corresponding novella. He tackles tough subjects-but the predominant one is sexual abuse and its resultant long term ramificationss. There are twists and surprising turns to spice things up, and the writing is deep compelling thoughtful and at times disturbing. A great read by a great writer.

John Boyne is a master at his craft! The Elements is a masterpiece. I have been reading each of the Novellas as they were published, each one was exceptional as a stand alone. But here, you have all four: Water, Earth, Fire and Air all together in one brilliant novel. What sets Boyne apart from other authors is that he is willing to tackle tough subject matter. In each section, we are witness to some atrocity ( this may not be for everyone) that is committed against children. It can be difficult to read, but read it we must. Additionally, what I found to be captivating is how Boyne is able to weave his characters through all four of the stories. The way that he structures his novels and ideas is one of the reasons that I enjoy everything he writes.

Thank you to Net Galley for the gifted ARC of The Elements

My sincere and heartfelt thanks to the author and Henry Holt & Company for providing me with an ARC of this magnificent book through Netgalley, in exchange for this honest and enthusiastic review.

Boyne's latest is a truly astonishing, though at times, difficult read. Four novellas, each with a different narrator, but all weaving together to tell a compelling story of abuse, culpability, complacency and ultimately, redemption. Amongst its many strengths are fully developed characters, accomplished prose, and some really shocking and unexpected twist and surprises.

One thing I particularly admired is that each narrator had their own style of speech and disclosure; so often when you have multiple narration, it all tends to sound exactly the same - so kudos to Boyne for not falling into that trap. Also, two of the narrators (all of whom, to some extent, are unreliable), are female - male authors rarely even attempt to cross the gender divide in their MCs, and few are able to create such complex women as Vanessa/Willow and Freya.

The books DO need to be read in order, and as I composed individual reviews for each, I will link to them below, if anyone is interested further:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Beautifully written. I loved how each part was a separate story that connected to the others. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys fiction.

This book was a full circle masterpiece for me. It is four novellas in one Water, Earth, Fire and Air. It starts on an island, a woman reinvents herself to escape her broken life following the arrest of her husband. The next piece follows the dark story of a young man who escapes the island and the controversy he faces which includes a rape trial. Then we glimpse a juror, who is also a burn doctor. The psychological damage - both endured and wielded. The final story ends with the doctor’s resident and his piece of the puzzle. The entire book all comes together beautifully. I wrote out the characters to visualize the connections and fully understand and appreciate the depth of the interwoven stories. It is indeed a circle, I found that very satisfying.

The stories can be hard to read as they each have elements of sexual abuse and victimization. It is heavy but also, in my opinion, accurately depicts how humans are impacted by abuse, the decisions they may make, how abuse is sometimes generational, the damage goes on. A well written and realistic example of the ripple effect of sexual abuse.

Another incredible book by John Boyne.

"None of us are innocent and none of us are guilty, and we all have to live with what we've done for the rest of our lives, and the only way through this terrible thing, if we are to survive it at all, is to be kind to each other and to love one another."

This idea sits at the heart of The Elements -- an incredible and breathtaking epic that grapples with the weight of our choices, the blurry lines between guilt and innocence, and the ways we justify the things we do. Boyne dissects themes like complicity, culpability, and the human capacity for both profound evil and true redemption with surgical precision, crafting four narratives that are as thought-provoking as they are immersive.

The novel follows four lives -- the mother trying to outrun her demons, the criminally-accused soccer star with a deeply complicated past, a surgeon with the most insane background story that I can't even describe here because it would ruin the story, and a father on a life-changing journey. Their fates intertwine in ways that are inevitable, but never predictable. Boyne is a master at peeling back layers of his characters, showing how even the worst decisions can be rationalized, how morality and culpability is never as black and white as we'd like it to be.

I was totally gripped -- I tore through the whole 500 pages in a single day. Boyne's writing is sharp, empathetic, balancing gut-punch storytelling with moments of quiet, devastating insight. If there's one gripe I have with the book, it was the way certain plot threads were left hanging. I understand the appeal of some artistic ambiguity, but after becoming so invested, I wanted a little more resolution.

Still, The Elements is gripping and ambitious, and it will certainly be talked about as one of the best novels of the year.

Thank you for this ARC! I loved this book. It was sad and tragic and hard to read at times, but the stories were beautifully told. I loved seeing how the different characters were woven through the stories. There are many content warnings for this book, but if you enjoyed The Hearts Invisible Furies, I think you would really like this book. Excellent writing, well-developed characters and a plot that will keep you at the edge of your seat. FIVE STARS!