NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this thrilling new novel from the author of Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen again demonstrates her talent for creating spellbinding period pieces. At the Water’s Edge is a gripping and poignant love story about a privileged young woman’s awakening as she experiences the devastation of World War II in a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands.After disgracing … Highlands.
After disgracing themselves at a high society New Year’s Eve party in Philadelphia in 1944, Madeline Hyde and her husband, Ellis, are cut off financially by his father, a former army colonel who is already ashamed of his son’s inability to serve in the war. When Ellis and his best friend, Hank, decide that the only way to regain the Colonel’s favor is to succeed where the Colonel very publicly failed—by hunting down the famous Loch Ness monster—Maddie reluctantly follows them across the Atlantic, leaving her sheltered world behind.
The trio find themselves in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, where the locals have nothing but contempt for the privileged interlopers. Maddie is left on her own at the isolated inn, where food is rationed, fuel is scarce, and a knock from the postman can bring tragic news. Yet she finds herself falling in love with the stark beauty and subtle magic of the Scottish countryside. Gradually she comes to know the villagers, and the friendships she forms with two young women open her up to a larger world than she knew existed. Maddie begins to see that nothing is as it first appears: the values she holds dear prove unsustainable, and monsters lurk where they are least expected.
As she embraces a fuller sense of who she might be, Maddie becomes aware not only of the dark forces around her, but of life’s beauty and surprising possibilities.
Praise for At the Water’s Edge
“Breathtaking . . . a daring story of adventure, friendship, and love in the shadow of WWII.”—Harper’s Bazaar
“A gripping, compelling story . . . Gruen’s characters are vividly drawn and her scenes are perfectly paced.”—The Boston Globe
“A page-turner of a novel that rollicks along with crisp historical detail.”—Fort Worth Star-Telegram
“Powerfully evocative.”—USA Today
“Gruen is a master at the period piece—and [this] novel is just another stunning example of that craft.”—Glamour
more
Slow start but gets better and ends unexpectedly.
A very easy read. Enjoyed the book from start to finish.
Where the story begins and ends: the Loch 1945 Scotland’s Loch Ness is visited by Americans Maddie, Ellis, and Hank, Hank for the adventure and friendship, Ellis for validation, and Maddie for escape. Ellis’s father was the man who, in the 1920s created the faked pictures in a failed attempt to prove that Nessie really existed. Ellis wants to …
Great book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Odd plot but totally entertaining. I also enjoyed the clever dialogue from interesting characters. Backdrop is World War 2
Loved the book. Well worth getting to know the characters.
At first I didn’t love it. I am so glad that I stuck with it! The story is interesting. I have read a lot of WWII books but nothing from this perspective. I really liked the story and it kept me interested. Love the writing style.
Slow in the beginning, but went back to it and tried again and was able to see the interesting story line unfold.
The lochness monster has always intrigued me, and I couldn’t resist a book about the adventure of three people in search of it. The story could have used a little punch, but what held my curiosity, was the prelude and how it would tie into the story.
Beautiful writing about a time and place and occasion few of us know much about. What happens when one runs away to join the circus?
A light read
I found this to be a very disappointing read. Almost quit half way through. The three American characters are vapid and uninteresting. I couldn’t bring myself to care about any of them. This is not a worthy successor to Water for Elephants.
Excellent book!
I truly enjoyed reading this book. It was not predictable, as so many are.
I enjoyed this book and though not as well written as Water for Elephants, it was still better than most of the current books out there. Interesting story line that also deals with family dysfunction a lot of us can relate to.
I didn’t like the main characters much. I thought it was unrealistic to allow these Americans to travel to Scotland in the middle of WW II. Some of the things that happened at the end were too “convenient.”
This is an inspiring tale showing the importance of leaving what we know and are accustomed to in order to see ourselves more clearly. And, once we’ve seen ourselves and don’t like what we see – about what it takes to have the courage to change.
It just wasn’t a good story st all.
I already reviewed this book. Why am I being asked to review it again.
It was a disappointment, as I was expecting something good from the author of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.
I could not put this book down. The story is engaging, the writing is excellent. I found all the characters to be so vividly described and portrayed that I could see them in my mind. Their individuality enhanced the unexpectedness of their interactions and understanding of each other. It far exceeded my expectations .
Loved it.