The Elements - by John Boyne

About the Book

"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."--

Book Synopsis

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

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?

Review Quotes

"John Boyne's new novel exhaustively explores crime and its aftershocks with a deep sense of empathy.... The Elements earns its billing as an epic.... Among Boyne's gifts is a knack for infusing real-life debates into his fictional world.... Impactful and provocative."
--The New York Times

"One of the most assured novelists of his generation."
--The Guardian

"John Boyne brings a completely fresh eye to the most important stories. He is one of the great craftsmen in contemporary literature."
--Colum McCann

"Among the world's greatest storytellers."
--Donal Ryan

"John Boyne is a maestro of historical fiction. You can't prepare yourself for the magnitude and emotional impact of this powerful novel."
--John Irving on All the Broken Places

"An exceptional, layered, and compelling story . . . This book moves like a freight train, with force and consequence for the reader."
--Amy Bloom on All the Broken Places

About the Author

John Boyne is the author of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, which has been adapted for film, theater, ballet, and opera. His many international bestsellers include The Heart's Invisible Furies, which was a Book of the Month Club Book of the Year, and A Ladder to the Sky. His work is published in 60 languages. He lives in Dublin.