The Elements

Four interconnected narratives comprise the dramatic if heavy-handed latest from Boyne (All the Broken Places), about the generational impact of abuse and the blurred lines between perpetrator and victim. “Water” follows Vanessa Carvin, 52, in the aftermath of her husband Brendan’s conviction for raping eight girls. Accused of being complicit in the crimes, she retreats to an island off the coast of Ireland. “Earth” centers on rising soccer star Evan Keogh’s trial for being an accessory to rape. As the courtroom drama unfolds, Boyne examines a troubling connection between Evan and Brendan. Boyne is at his best in the depiction of Freya Petrus, the protagonist of “Fire.” Now a burn specialist, Freya copes with her childhood rape in heinous ways that would be a spoiler to reveal. “Air,” the weakest link, follows Vanessa’s former son-in-law Aaron Umber, a child psychologist, on a plane trip with his son, Emmet, during which Boyne hints that a great mystery will be revealed about Emmet’s estrangement from his mother and the impact of his parents’ childhood traumas on their dysfunctional family. Unfortunately, there’s not much in the way of surprise. The author has a knack for crafting strong characters and evoking heavy emotions, but the novel’s reliance on the symbolism of the four elements muddies rather than clarifies its insights into the nature of abuse. It’s a mixed bag. (Sept.)