This is the story of many interlocking characters and storylines telling the tale of abuse from many different viewpoints. I don't want to give too much away here, but this is a John Boyne book so you're in good hands! The story takes us from remote islands of escape and recluse in Ireland, to courtrooms and soccer pitches in London, to hospitals and apartments and to the beaches of Sydney...and somehow, in the way that only Boyne can, everything comes together. The way that he sets up plot and develops characters lent itself perfectly to such heavy topics, and it all came together so perfectly in the end. I highly recommend this book, and while I liked some segments better than others (trigger warnings galore for rape and abuse!) the ending made all the hard moments so worth it. He's done it again, and I'll read anything that he writes!

Wow. John Boyne takes us on a JOURNEY through the enabler, the accomplice, the perpetrator, and the victim. He explores guilt, blame, and the longtime effects of trauma. Water starts us off with a bang. I cried at the end. Earth made me a little angry, Fire made me VERY angry, and Air healed all those things and left me with chills. Read this.

This was a very difficult read in many ways in regards to subject matter, but also incredibly honest and ambitious in regards to examining trauma and the human spirit. Boyne creates 4 separate stories representing the elements (water, earth, fire, air) and in each story, the narrator is involved in a horrific crime in a particular role (enabler, accomplice, perpetrator, victim). These crimes are all sexual in nature, and include assault, rape, grooming and pedophilia, etc..... so readers should be aware before embarking on this story. It's both dark and clever in regards to how Boyne weaves together the 4 stories with their characters' roles and how they all connected throughout the years, though many of the characters are unlikeable. But Boyne doesn't shy away from this; in fact, he uses this to explore why cycles of abuse occur and how children deal with this as they grow into adulthood, and embark on relationships of their own. I am grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book!