At the Water's Edge

A Novel

By: Sara Gruen

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times Best Seller

In this thrilling new novel from the author of Water for Elephants, Sara Gruen again demonstrates her talent for creating spellbinding period pieces. At the Water's Edge is a gripping and poignant love story about a privileged young woman's awakening as she experiences the devastation of World War II in a tiny village in the Scottish Highlands.

After disgracing themselves at a high society New Year's Eve party in Philadelphia in 1944, Madeline Hyde and her husband, Ellis, are cut off financially by his father, a former army colonel who is already ashamed of his son’s inability to serve in the war. When Ellis and his best friend, Hank, decide that the only way to regain the colonel's favor is to succeed where the colonel very publicly failed - by hunting down the famous Loch Ness monster - Maddie reluctantly follows them across the Atlantic, leaving her sheltered world behind.

The trio find themselves in a remote village in the Scottish Highlands, where the locals have nothing but contempt for the privileged interlopers. Maddie is left on her own at the isolated inn, where food is rationed, fuel is scarce, and a knock from the postman can bring tragic news. Yet she finds herself falling in love with the stark beauty and subtle magic of the Scottish countryside. Gradually she comes to know the villagers, and the friendships she forms with two young women open her up to a larger world than she knew existed. Maddie begins to see that nothing is as it first appears: The values she holds dear prove unsustainable, and monsters lurk where they are least expected.

As she embraces a fuller sense of who she might be, Maddie becomes aware not only of the dark forces around her but of life's beauty and surprising possibilities.

Praise for At the Water’s Edge

“Breathtaking...a daring story of adventure, friendship, and love in the shadow of WWII.” (Harper’s Bazaar)

“A gripping, compelling story... Gruen’s characters are vividly drawn and her scenes are perfectly paced.” (The Boston Globe)

“A page-turner of a novel that rollicks along with crisp historical detail.” (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

“Powerfully evocative.” (USA Today)

“Gruen is a master at the period piece - and [this] novel is just another stunning example of that craft.” (Glamour)

©2015 Sara Gruen (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Eyre does a wonderful job with the multitude of voices and accents in the story, deftly switching between American and Scottish accents and subtly denoting character traits from personality to educational level. Gruen develops her characters, particularly Maddie, incredibly well over the course of the story, and Eyre's skillful narration ensures that listeners engage with Maddie on her journey of self-discovery." (AudioFile Magazine)

"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 the final page, 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, New York Times best-selling author of Leaving Time)

"I devoured this book. Once again Sara Gruen has proven herself 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, New York Times best-selling author of The Help)

Horrible narrator.

Simpering, over dramatic, and breathy the narrator ruined it. It was a decent story but I wish I would have read and not listened to it.

Good story

I enjoyed this historical fiction story with its historical content, as well as, Scottish lore sprinkled in. The reader's voice seemed whiny for the main character, it made her sound weak and whiny instead of a protagonist you want to cheer for.

one hell of a book

loved the story ! excellent narration. I non stopped listened too. can't go wrong in purchasing. I hope my book club decides to read.

At The Water's Edge

What did you love best about At the Water's Edge?

Very good story

What did you like best about this story?

Lots of cultural detail

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Justine Eyre?

ANYBODY!!!! She is very hard to understand.

If you could rename At the Water's Edge, what would you call it?

No

Any additional comments?

I finally gave up on listening to your narrator and bought a hard copy of the book so that I could finish it. The story is great.

Loved it

Started a little slow but was well worth listening to. Could be a good movie

Great read

Great story, loved book and narration. Kept my interest throughout and I really enjoyed this

This cannot be the same author who wrote Water for elephants !!

Low brow romance novel. Where did the sophisticated writing go? Suggestion: Don't waste your credit!

loved it

I loved this book. I really felt like I was there. greatest take on the nessy legend

Hard To Finish

Weird, dorky, and confusing story line. Did finish it and kinda sorta liked it towards the end. Would not recommend it though.

Disappointing

liked water for elephants but couldn't get into this. thought the Scottish accents were bad. see the outlander series and Davina Porters narration. for how it should be done.