This novella is the follow-up to John Boyne’s recent book, Water, although can certainly be read and enjoyed by anyone, regardless of whether they have read the earlier book (which I’d also recommend) or not.
Without wishing to give too much away, the story revolves around a scandal within the world of professional football and the trial that follows. A soccer player has been accused of rape, while one of his teammates has apparently recorded the whole thing on his phone. Both men now stand accused.
But are they truly guilty? What exactly happened that night?
Boyne keeps the reader guessing almost right up to the very end. As in Water, the issue of social media rears its ugly head.. Then there is the unnamed remote island off the coast of the Irish Republic. In Water, the island served as a welcome place to escape a major scandal erupting on the mainland. In Earth, it is the island itself which the main character is determined to escape from.
In short, this is a compelling read which leaves the reader wondering what the prolific Boyne will produce next.
Chris Hallam's World View 