‘At the Water’s Edge’: Historical novel falls flat with whiny characters

When I learned that Sara Gruen was coming out with a new novel set during World War II, I was eager to review it.

Her best-selling book 'Water for Elephants” still is one of my favorite books. It also was adapted into a movie that I feel was extremely well done. So my expectations were high.

'At the Water's Edge” is primarily set in Scotland during the middle of World War II, but it begins in Philadelphia with the marriage of Maddie and Ellis. The rich couple and their friend, Hank, are accustomed to living a life of luxury. After Ellis makes fun of his father's attempt to capture the Loch Ness Monster, his father cuts him off financially. Ellis realizes the only way to win back his father's affection, and his money, is to hunt the Loch Ness Monster himself.

The trio sails to Scotland where the men are criticized for not serving in the war. They also show a lack of respect for the people they expect to serve their needs. Left alone at the inn, Maddie begins to realize this journey has been a mistake.

I found the main characters frustrating. Their lack of respect and empathy and ridiculous expectations made me angry, which made me want to put down the book. But Maddie began to change, so I was drawn back into the story.

Maddie befriends the women who work at the inn. Her new friends teach her skills and allow her to help around the pub. But, when Ellis sees that Maddie has befriended 'the help,” she is in trouble with her husband and Angus, the inn's proprietor. This leads to a dramatic conclusion that is a bit too tidied up.

Despite this and the frustrating characters, Gruen skillfully writes with attention to historic detail, and richly descriptive settings, and offers a bit of a scandalous romance to keep readers interested beyond the flawed characters.

I enjoyed that this World War II novel offered a different perspective of the war. It won me over with the wartime setting and Scottish landscape, but lost my interest with the story. If you like historical fiction, this novel is worth reading if you can get past whiny characters and a too-neat ending.