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| Source: NetGalley.com |
Publisher: Random House
Publication date: March 31, 2015
Category: Fiction
Source: I received this galley from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
When you read an enjoyable book, the author tends to stick in your mind. So when I saw Sara Gruen had a title available on NetGalley, I jumped on board with only a quick glance at the summary. If Gruen's name isn't ringing a bell, think Water for Elephants, which was a hit novel in 2006, followed by the movie in 2011. I enjoyed both the book and movie for the unique setting of a 1930s traveling circus. Likewise, At the Water's Edge has a WWII setting with which I was not as familiar. Usually WWII books I've read are set in America, London, or a German concentration camp. I couldn't pass up a different setting in one of the most written about pieces of history.
Set in the Scottish Highlands during WWII, At the Water's Edge focuses on Maddie Hyde, her high society husband Ellis, and their mutual friend Hank. Unable to serve due to minor physical impairments (flat feet and colorblindness), the men take up the idea of finding the Loch Ness Monster to escape their self-disgracing behaviors and replace the honor fighting on the front would have provided.
As Maddie travels from America to the Scottish Highlands, her life changes every step of the way. Living in a small country inn of a war torn area, Maddie is faced with hardships she is not used to. Her own little world broadens a little at a time until she is left with revelations of secrets and lies, showcasing the obvious wreck her life is and will become; opening her to the beauty of what life can be if she has the courage to go for it.
There is also a romantic element to At the Water's Edge, but I liked it. I found myself cheering on the various characters who found themselves in love or looking for it...hoping all would turn out in the end.
So thumbs up Sara Gruen, I enjoyed your new novel! And readers, which authors draw you to their new books just because of who they are?
Glad to hear you liked it. I've been nervous to start it because I heard it fell short of her previous book, not that I read Water for Elephants. I just wasn't feeling excited anymore. Now I am :)
ReplyDeleteI liked Water for Elephants better, but it might've been the more unique setting that made it better. This one was still a good story. Maybe read this one first and then Water for Elephants?!
DeleteI liked Water for Elephants, so I've been wanting to read this one too. I like the premise, very unique!
ReplyDeleteI liked that it wasn't giving the same old WWII setting. Opened my eyes to more of what people experienced during that time.
DeleteJust the description makes me think that this would be a great movie... lots of cool visuals! Glad you liked it.
ReplyDeleteI agree - it would be a good movie! The war setting and idea of finding yourself as a parallel theme.
DeleteI loved Water for Elephants, so this has been on my list since I heard about it about a month ago. I'm looking forward to it.
ReplyDeleteCool! I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteI tend to avoid WWII novels now because I’ve just read so, so many but the change in scenery is intriguing, so I may have to break my rule.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. After writing this, I found two more titles boasting WWII in London, as I mention here. Change of scenery is nice, but this story also mainly uses the war as a way to set up the plot. Not a whole lot of war to it otherwise.
DeleteOh this sounds like one I would read. Subtle romance, WWII....
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's still available on Netgalley
Archive date is set for May 26th, so you should be able to still request it.
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