Hello Beautiful People,
After waiting almost a month on the library, I finally obtained and read a copy of Sara Gruen’s At the Water’s Edge (one of our March picks). Many of you are probably familiar with her Water For Elephants that was adapted for the screen in 2011 starring Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon. At Water’s Edge is set in Scotland during World War II and follows a woman whose marriage is nothing short of a tragedy.
After a rather embarrassing New Year’s Eve party in the Philadelphia, Maddie, her husband Ellis, and their long-time friend Hank set off for Scotland during the peak of World War II in search of a sea monster Ellis’s father claims to have seen. The monster is something of a legend in the Scottish town they stay in. Everyone seems to know someone who saw it, but no one has any proof.
Maddie thinks this is simply an adventure, a distraction from the brutal war that was plaguing the lives of so many. While in Scotland, however, Maddie learns of her husband’s true character and grows to fear him and his reckless behavior. Through a rather interesting course of events, Maddie becomes distant from Ellis and Hank, but becomes good friends with Anna, Meg, and Angus – three people who run the inn she is staying at.
Although beautifully written, I did not find the story to be very gripping. I was so blown away by Water for Elephants that I set my expectations very high for this novel. I was disappointed by Maddie’s development. I have had the pleasure of reading a number of books lately with solid female characters and I’m afraid Maddie was rather underwhelming in comparison.
Did you get a chance to read it? What is your reaction? Leave a comment below with your thoughts and be sure to tag your copy of the book on instagram with #TWTBookshelf.
Live, Love, Learn,
Candice & The Write Teacher(s)