At the Water's Edge

"NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER 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,...
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"NEW YORK TIMES" BESTSELLER
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"
A gripping, compelling story . . . wholly diverting and well written. I read it in one sitting. . . . "At the Water s Edge" will likely fly off bookstore shelves. "The Boston Globe"
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Powerfully evocative. "USA Today"
Adaring story of adventure, friendship, and love in the shadow of WWII. "Harper s Bazaar"
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A page-turner of a novel that rollicks along with crisp historical detail, waves of deep emotions and a dash of Scottish mystical mythology. "Fort Worth Star-Telegram"
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"At the Water s Edge" captivates with its drama, intrigue and glimpses of both the dark and light of humanity. "BookPage" (Top Pick)
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. Jodi Picoult, "New York Times" bestselling author of "Leaving Time"
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 "bestselling author of "The Help"
Gruen is a wizard at capturing the essence of her historical setting, and does so here in spades, but it s Maddie s unexpected transformation that grounds and drives the novel. Paula McLain, "New York Times" bestselling author of "The Paris Wife"

"From the Hardcover edition.""