At The Water's Edge - Hardcover

Gruen, Sara

3.68

81,992 ratings by Goodreads

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1473604702 ISBN 13: 9781473604704

Publisher: Two Roads, 2015

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A gripping and poignant love story set in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands at the end of the Second World War.
'Unique and impeccably researched... the only fault I can find with this book is that I've already finished it' - Jodi Picoult

After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year's Eve of 1944, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis's father, a former army Colonel who is already ashamed of his colour-blind son's inability to serve in WWII.
To Maddie's horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father's favour (and generosity) is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father's name and return to his father's good graces.
In January 1945 they hitch a ride on a ship across the Atlantic while the war is still raging all around them. And Maddie, now alone and virtually abandoned in a foreign country, must begin to work out who she is and what she wants - the vacuous life she left behind or something more real?
What she discovers - about the larger world and about herself - opens her eyes not only to the dark forces that exist around her but to the beauty and surprising possibilities of life.

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Review:

If I needed a reminder why I am such a fan of Sara Gruen's books, her latest novel provides plenty. Unique in its setting and scope, this impeccably researched historical fiction is full of the gorgeous prose I've come to expect from this author.And even after finishing, its message still resonates with me: the monsters we seek may be right in front of us. In fact, the only fault I can find with this book is that I've already finished it (Jodi Picoult)

I devoured this book. Sara Gruen has proven herself, once again, to be one of America's most compelling storytellers...You might be tempted to rush to get to the answers at the end - but don't - or you'll miss the delectable journey that is Gruen's prose (Kathryn Stockett, bestselling author of THE HELP)

At the Water's Edge skillfully transports us to a small, tenacious Scottish village in the grip of war, and into the heart of Madeline Hyde, a woman who is a stranger to herself until forces convene to rock her awake. Sara Gruen is a wizard at capturing the essence of her historical setting, and does so here in spades, but it's Maddie's unexpected transformation that grounds and drives the novel. As her husband and best friend search the surface of the Loch, desperate for a sign of the elusive creature, Maddie learns to plumb her own depths, and comes fully alive to the world around her. Magical (Paula McLain, author of THE PARIS WIFE)

Superbly researched and far too easily devoured, this is a truly enthralling love story (Scotsman)

Just as colourful as Water For Elephants (Good Housekeeping (Summer Reading))

Gruen explores class politics and unlikely friendships in a war-torn environment as the real monsters of the novel are revealed (Daily Record)

Terrific characters and attention to detail made this moving, suspenseful novel by the author of Water for Elephants stand out (Woman & Home)

lively, colourful and gritty (Sainsbury's Magazine)

I just could not put this book down... Sara Gruen is a wonder at building the atmosphere and her attention to detail really brings the Scottish Highlands to life. I loved the way she weaved in tales of folklore and monsters into this touching and haunting love story. (Emma, Waterstones bookseller)

An intoxicating blend of history and legend set against the thrilling backdrop of a hunt for the world's most famous monster. Sara Gruen has an exquisite eye for detail, and she evokes the haunted - and haunting - landscape with her signature passion, freshness and scope. Atmospheric and gritty, the compelling tale of Madeline's struggle to redefine herself in a world gone mad will linger long after you turn the final page... I love this marvelous, marvelous book (Joshilyn Jackson, bestselling author of SOMEONE ELSE'S LOVE STORY)

Book Description:

THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER FROM THE AUTHOR OF WATER FOR ELEPHANTS.

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