Books from the Backlog #159

Posted April 15, 2021 by Carole in Books from the Backlog / 12 Comments

Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

If you would like to join in, please feel free to enter your link and link back to this post, then spend some time visiting some of the other posts.

This week’s neglected book
 

At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen
Publication Date: March 31, 2015
 Publisher: Spiegel & Grau

After embarrassing themselves at the social event of the year in high society Philadelphia on New Year’s Eve of 1942, Maddie and Ellis Hyde are cut off financially by Ellis’s father, a former army Colonel who is already embarrassed by his son’s inability to serve in WWII due to his being colorblind.

To Maddie’s horror, Ellis decides that the only way to regain his father’s favor is to succeed in a venture his father attempted and very publicly failed at: he will hunt the famous Loch Ness monster and when he finds it he will restore his father’s name and return to his father’s good graces (and pocketbook). Joined by their friend Hank, a wealthy socialite, the three make their way to Scotland in the midst of war.

Each day the two men go off to hunt the monster, while another monster, Hitler, is devastating Europe. And Maddie, now alone in a foreign country, must begin to figure out who she is and what she wants.

The novel tells of Maddie’s social awakening: to the harsh realities of life, to the beauties of nature, to a connection with forces larger than herself, to female friendship, and finally, to love.

Why did I add At the Water’s Edge to my bookshelf?

I loved Water for Elephants enough to read it twice so I was more than eager to read more of Sara Gruen’s work.  When I saw this book at the community center where I worked out pre-pandemic on the sale cart for $0.50, I jumped at the chance to take it home.  The problem is that I didn’t read it.  Now, it has been sitting on my shelves for the past 18 months and I kind of forgot about it.  This book isn’t rated quite as highly on Goodreads as Water for Elephants but I believe that it is worth a try.

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book?  Would you recommend it to others?

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12 responses to “Books from the Backlog #159”

  3. Northwoman

    I haven't read this one or Water for Elephants. I hope you can fit it in since you like the author.

    Anne – Books of My Heart

  8. Literary Feline

    I haven't read Water for Elephants or anything else by Sara Gruen. I remember when this one first came out really want to read it. I haven't managed it yet.

  10. Greg

    I saw the Water for Elephants movie and mostly liked it. I was curious about reading some of Sara gruen's books. I hope this one is good- I have to admit the Loch Ness Monster angle piqued my interest. 🙂

  11. Katherine P

    Oh I have this one on my shelf too. The Loch Ness Monster situation pulled me in but it's been gathering dust for YEARS. I need to read it too!