The Elements

A Novel

De: John Boyne

Narrado por: Anna Friel, Colin Morgan, Dane Whyte O’Hara, Niamh Cusack

From bestselling author John Boyne, a gripping and profound exploration of guilt, blame, trauma, and the human capacity for redemption. This program features multicast narration.

In The Elements, acclaimed Irish novelist John Boyne has created 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.

Boyne’s most ambitious work yet, The Elements is both an engrossing drama and a moving investigation of why and how we allow crime to occur. With masterful, spellbinding prose, he navigates this complex subject with extraordinary empathy and unflinching honesty. The story resonates on a deeply emotional level, challenging readers to confront their own conceptions of guilt and innocence at every step. Amid the wildly engrossing storytelling, the book ultimately asks: What would you do when faced with the unthinkable?

"[Niamh Cusack] capture[s] the heartbreak, fury and underlying defensiveness of a woman whose life has been upended by the actions of a man" —The Guardian on Water

A Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company

How the elements of the Earth are in fact, the same elements in our lives who make us who we are.

So much of the story it was very disturbing. But I couldn’t put it down. I listened to the Audible, and the narrator was perfect. It was so interesting. The way all of the lives became intertwined. The ending was amazing. I do believe that anyone who reads or listens to this book to this story will in fact think about it for a long long time. It just affects you that way.

Story line

I listened to this book and the readers were wonderful. I loved how the stories were connected. It was so interesting

As soon as I finished I started to reread. Phenomenal

Initially I read two books separately. Highly recommend reading as one it is profound. So much so that now I have the story line I am “rereading”. Oops I listened on audible. Excellent narrators.

Linger

The elements of this book will linger in my mind for a long time to come

Unsettling but Powerful

I listened to The Elements quartet and found the writing powerful and unsettling. John Boyne’s style kept me engaged throughout, and the stories left a lasting impression.

That said, I was disappointed with the narration. Each narrator’s attempt at an Irish accent felt stereotypical and limited, which at times pulled me out of the story. The books themselves are excellent, but the performances did not do them justice.

Captivating

This story was beautifully woven together and each character story was a great stand alone. I was sorry when I finished it. I wanted more lol.

kept me on the edge of my seat!

Best book in a very long time, much enjoyed , wish i could read it again as a new book, all new to me again. will definitely suggest to others. im from Ireland, so much appreciated the island description also.

Captivating

The story was powerful and the narration fantastic! It was captivating. I could not put the book down.

Well crafted tale!

This is a well crafted tale of the domino effect emotional trauma on people and those with whom they interact and/or have relationships. This well written, realistic fiction carefully and realistically intersects several people who are carrying trauma into their personal relationships and struggling to find fulfillment. John Boyne is an amazing author!

I can't recommend it enough

Get ready for a he'll of a ride. Title says it all. It contains all of the elements. Find out why.