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Title:	Water
Authors:	Boyne, John
Genre:	Fiction
Pages:	176
Year:	2023
Language:	English
Description:	Willow Hale or Vanessa Carvin as she was previously known, has left her high-profile life in Dublin, opting to live on a small island off the coast of Galway, a literal and metaphorical separation from her ex-husband and the scandal he is mired in. Willow might be able to escape notoriety, but she can't escape from needing to confront her past and her role in what played out. With its beautifully drawn characters and its sensitive reflection on guilt and blame, choices and consequences, this is a story with gravitas, concisely presented.
Categories:	Fiction, Community, Contemporary, Gender Issues, Grief/loss, Relationships, Religion, Short Read, Social commentary/perspectives, Ireland, Popular Fiction, Content may disturb, Just Added, 2026 Titles

Reviews

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By: WHANG 015		2026-03-31 15:19:53

Everyone loved the book. Well-written with good storylines. Lots of discussion generated from it.

By: MARTIN 001		2026-03-31 14:32:54

Liked by all. Examines the issue of a male sexual predator well. Engaging story.

By: TEKUI 001		2026-03-07 12:22:29

A good read - some found it a quick read then went back and re-read it discovering the depth of the content. Well-written, and the story drip fed the events. Some want to read the rest of the series.

By: WELL 086		2025-12-19 16:55:07

Challenging but interesting book.

By: AUCK 478		2025-12-09 11:32:20

Very interesting novella. The setting was excellent and sparked a lot of discussion in our group. Very topical content and theme. An easy read. However, some of us found the topic too heavy.

By: CHCH 503		2025-12-08 13:18:34

Good read.

By: METH 001		2025-11-28 16:38:39

All of the group loved this read. Beautifully written with many hidden messages.

By: NORTH 003		2025-09-29 10:25:14

The discussion centred around the grooming of the wife and two daughters. We thought Boyne built the tension and was a master of his craft in describing the characters. All felt that Willow gained redemption by asserting her individuality at the end. Reconciliation with the daughter was a highlight.

By: AUCK 027		2025-08-14 09:25:11

Beautifully written, provoked good discussion.

By: FEILD 006		2025-06-25 12:17:55

We all loved this book - a cleverly woven story. Looking forward to reading the next three.

By: AUCK 063		2025-04-11 20:28:00

Overall, the group really enjoyed this book and in particular the quality of the writing - which was described as exquisite, beautiful, easy to read and subtle, all at the same time. So much was said in a few words at times, but the language never sensationalised the issues. A few in the group found that the story lacked credibility at some points - particularly around Willow�s (Vanessa�s) conversations with her daughter and other key people on the island. The most discussion and interesting speculation in the group centred on what Willow actually knew, and when.

By: TAUR 064		2025-03-06 10:13:48

All liked the book, beautifully written and lots to think about.