Bookseller Reviews
View all
Powerful
It’s mind boggling how much this author can convey in a short novella, and without the plot feeling rushed or compromised.
We meet a young footballer who ... READ MORE
Compelling and visceral read.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy of this book.
*This book may be triggering for some readers.*
It follows 2 footballers on trial f... READ MORE
An emotional story....
Earth is the second novel in Boyne's Element series, however I haven't read Water and feel you don't necessarily need to read it to understand Earth. After... READ MORE
Another superb book from John Boyne
An authors who never disappoints! I read this in 1 day, I literally was glued to it. I felt the same about the first of these Water, in the Earth, Fire, Ai... READ MORE
Synopsis
From million-copy-bestselling author John Boyne, an inescapably gritty story about one young man whose direction in life takes a vastly different turn than what he expected.
It’s the tabloid sensation of the year: two well-known footballers standing in the dock, charged with sexual assault, a series of vile text messages pointing towards their guilt.
As the trial unfolds, Evan Keogh reflects on the events that have led him to this moment. Since leaving his island home, his life has been a lie on many levels. He’s a talented footballer who wanted to be an artist. A gay man in a sport that rejects diversity. A defendant whose knowledge of what took place on that fateful night threatens more than just his freedom or career.
The jury will deliver a verdict but, before they do, Evan must judge for himself whether the man he has become is the man he wanted to be.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Transworld Publishers Ltd
- ISBN: 9780857529831
- Number of pages: 176
- Dimensions: 223 x 142 x 17 mm
- Weight: 288g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
View allA powerful and sometimes harrowing story
Evan didn’t want to be a footballer. Growing up on a small island of the coast of Ireland he wanted to be a painter. His father didn’t agree.
We’ve met Ev... READ MORE
A Modern Morality Tale
Set in the world of professional football, Earth is the second in John Boyne’s linked series of novellas. It’s narrated by Evan who is accused of being an ... READ MORE
really pack a punch
Earth is the second book in John Boyne’s Elements series. Evan Keogh never wanted to be a footballer: that was his father, Charlie’s dream. Now that he fin... READ MORE
John Boyne does it again!!
This is the second part of Irish author John Boyne’s “The Elements” Quartet. The first part “Water” made it into my Top 10 Books of 2023 and had me tearin... READ MORE
Boyne brilliance once again
Two well-known footballers are in the dock, charged with rape, and a series of vile text messages pointing towards their guilt. As the trial unfolds, Evan ... READ MORE
Compelling and Engaging
John Boyne's writing just does something for my brain, I find myself so instantly connecting with the characters that he writes which to me is so key for m... READ MORE
Thought-provoking and incredibly powerful
Earth is the second in the Elements quartet of novellas by John Boyne. Evan Keogh appeared in Water, the first book, as a minor character but here he takes... READ MORE
The next harrowing instalment of the series
4.5
Another harrowing part of John Boyne's Elements series. This time he focuses on Evan Keogh, who left the island the same day as Willow/Vanessa (who ... READ MORE
Another Boyne hit. A story for our times that packs a punch.
John Boyne rarely disappoints and this book, Earth, is another triumph. So much packed into so few pages. And I haven't stopped thinking about it since I ... READ MORE
Excellent
Superb progression through Boyne’s quartet. We meet Evan in the first, Water, and now he is the central character in Earth. A dark, upsetting story of phys... READ MORE
Topical harrowing great read in a small package.
Earth - John Boyne
The second of three this short novel focuses on Evan who we first met in the first book Water. He is now a well-known professional fo... READ MORE
Sheer concise brilliance
The second in the Elements series is not a sequel, but a stand-alone short novel. Evan, the principal character in Earth, did feature in Water which I am n... READ MORE
Beautifully crafted
Just finished reading "Earth," the second novella in John Boyne's Elements series, and I must say, this is another gem following the remarkable "Water." Th... READ MORE
A real treat!
John Boyne’s literary prowse absolutely blows me away. It’s an absolute treat to dive into the pages and totally loose yourself. This book was equally as b... READ MORE
a multilayered story of privilege and power abuse
Earth
by John Boyne
The second instalment in John Boyne's Elemental series, Earth is connected to Water through the Island, which was the setting for t... READ MORE
Sensitive and nuanced
I had really wanted to read the first in this quartet of books, titled Water, but my application did not pan out. I love John Boyne's writing, and hence wa... READ MORE
Short, gritty and utterly engrossing!
This is the second book in John Boynes quartet of novellas. “Earth” follows the story of Evan Keogh, last seen in “Water” leaving his west of Ireland islan... READ MORE
Harrowing and Brilliant
I have never heard of the Elements series. I have no idea what it is, or how the stories are connected but I am going to find them! What a book! Well-writt... READ MORE
Powerful and moving
Evan Keogh is a famous footballer with a life that many would envy. He tried to escape his father’s ambitions for him by running away from the small island... READ MORE
An Engrossing Read
EARTH is the second book in the Element’s quartet by John Boyne. Have already read Water and thoroughly enjoyed it I eagerly agreed to read and review this... READ MORE
Powerful Story
Evan Keogh always wanted to be a painter. He loved abstract art and thought he had something of a gift for it. His father wanted him to become a footballer... READ MORE
Gritty and captivating writing
Earth is the second novella in John Boyne’s Elements quartet. It is the story of Evan Keogh, a well known football player, who is on trial following sexual... READ MORE
Another wonderful novel from John Boyne
Another wonderful novel from John Boyne. I loved the connection to Water, the previous novel in this quartet, where we left Evan leaving the island that he... READ MORE
Brilliant
Another brilliant novel from John Boyne, the words and phrasing always amazes me in how beautiful and emotive they are.
I love the concept of this set of... READ MORE
Dilemma to live a lie or rip a rape allegation to pieces and clear a bad conscience
A youth struggling on several fronts: abusive father, strong desire to become an artist but recognising he has no talent compounded by the dilemma of being... READ MORE
Fantastic
This is the second novella in John Boyne’s series of the four elements.
It is narrated by Evan Keogh who we briefly met in the first novella. It can be re... READ MORE
Great read
Second amazing novel from John Boyne's Elements Quartet. Evan, a promising and rich young footballer, is on trial for accessory to rape. Boyne touches on f... READ MORE
Pack a punch
Earth is the second book in the Element series by John Boyne. But is not a continuation from Water. It is different story from the previous one.
Evan Keog... READ MORE
unflinching but beautifully written
I really loved "Water" and this is a worthy second element. An unflinching story about a young man's life taking him in unexpected and unwanted directions,... READ MORE
Another masterpiece
Earth is the second of a planned quartet of element themed novellas by John Boyne. It is not a direct sequel to the first, Water, but focuses on Evan, last... READ MORE
Earth.
This is a story about a young man at odds with the world and the people who live in the small island he grew up on.
When he travels to London to look for ... READ MORE
An Impactful, powerful read
This is the second book in John Boynes quartet of novellas. “Earth” follows the story of Evan Keogh, last seen in “Water” leaving his west of Ireland isl... READ MORE
Brilliant, dark and shocking
Evan Keogh is a talented footballer with a promising future. That is until he is accused of accessory to rape. Running from his life on an island off the c... READ MORE
Powerful and emotional journey.
Evan Keogh never wanted to be a professional footballer, he had no interest in the game, even though he had a great talent for it, no, he loved painting - ... READ MORE
John Boyne has excelled himself in this novel
John Boyne has excelled himself in this novel
Evan Keogh, a gifted footballer, reluctantly films a fellow footballer, Robbie, whom he (secretly) loves, ... READ MORE
Metaphorical and beautiful
John Boyne's writing just does something for my brain, I find myself so instantly connecting with the characters that he writes which to me is so key for m... READ MORE
LOVED IT!!
Thank you to the publishers for this review copy of Earth - I absolutely loved it!
This quartet of books is shaping up to be something very special, I als... READ MORE
A moving and impactful story of hope and redemption
Earth is the second in a series of four individual stories with different narrators, which will comprise a literary quartet of Water, Fire, Earth and Air w... READ MORE
Earth
This is book two of the "Elements" tetralogy, Water being the first. Don't worry if you haven't already read that book as it is more a quartet of linked bo... READ MORE
Outstanding
An absolutely spell-binding read albeit somewhat difficult at times due to the subject matter. Evan's life is so sad, he's so desperate for someone to lov... READ MORE
Beautifully written
#Earth is book #2 in the elements series and it didn’t disappoint. Can be read as a standalone too.
Earth is the gripping story of Evan Keogh, a famous ... READ MORE
Stunning
5* Wow. Earth is the second in John Boyne’s ‘elements quartet’, which started with the equally brilliant and 5* Water. Each book stands alone but there is... READ MORE
Superb- challenging - is everything what it seems ?
Earth is the second in John Boyne's Elements Quartet- following hot on the heels of the superb 'Water'.
This is the story of Evan - a young man striving... READ MORE
Brilliant
It’s the tabloid sensation of the year: two well-known footballers standing in the dock, charged with sexual assault, a series of vile text messages pointi... READ MORE
A fine novel
Evan Keogh is a professional footballer, his life upturned by a rape allegation against another player and in which he is implicates. Evan Keogh is a youn... READ MORE
Truly remarkable writing
This second book in the Elements quartet, takes up Evan Keogh’s story, who we saw leave the island in the first book, Water. Searching for escape and for t... READ MORE
Another page-turner from John Boyne
The main protagonist in Earth, John Boyne’s second novella in his Elements quartet, is Evan Keogh, last seen in the prequel, Water, leaving his island home... READ MORE
Clever
Sometimes a shorter book is exactly what is needed, so I have very much appreciated John Boyne’s latest novellas. Earth is the second of four planned, stan... READ MORE
An Extraordinary Compelling Tale
Earth is the second novella in John Boyne’s Elements Quartet.
Evan Keogh is one of two well-known footballers charged with sexual assault.
The story swit... READ MORE
A haunting short read
Earth by John Boyne
I give this book 5 stars.
The long awaited 2nd book in the quarter based on the elements and just as brilliant as the first.
The m... READ MORE
A football star on trial
Evan Keogh is Irish, gay and a successful football player. He lives in a smart London apartment. He and his team-mate Evan have been accused of a serious c... READ MORE
Powerful & propulsive
Earth is the second in Boyne’s interlinked quartet of ‘The Elements’, and like the first book, Water, it’s under 200 pages long. But what it lacks in size,... READ MORE
Another excellent novella in the second of this element series
John Boyne delivers another excellent novella in the second of his series of elemental titles.
It’s a gripping story centred around a trial, where footba... READ MORE
Short but powerful
Evan Keogh should have the world at his feet, a talented footballer who has represented his country. However, Even has spent his time running away. Away ... READ MORE
Powerful and emotional read.
Evan Keogh never wanted to be a professional footballer, he had no interest in the game, even though he had a great talent for it, no, he loved painting - ... READ MORE
Harrowing yet beautifully written
When two high-profile footballers go on trial for sexual assault, a media frenzy ensues. In the dock are Evan Keogh and Robbie Wolverton. Evan reflects on ... READ MORE
Heavy
Two well-known football stars are on trial for sexual assault. As the trial unfolds, Evan Keough looks back on the events that have led up to this moment a... READ MORE
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