This is a slim book but it packs a punch. It is the first in a quartet to be entitled Water, Earth, Fire and Air. In Water a woman escapes to a remote cottage on an island in Ireland. She is seeking solitude and self-forgiveness as she battles with the tragic loss of her daughter. The prose is exquisite. It’s an example of less is more - the brevity and carefully chosen words are what make the story sing. As with many of John Boyne’s books the subject is heavy hitting but there is ultimately hope at the end. Perfect for fans of Claire Keegan.