Sara Gruen's 'At the Water's Edge' sells well despite mixed reviews
The book by the 'Water for Elephants' writer has held steady on bestseller lists, though some critics gave the book negative reviews.
'At the Water's Edge' is by Sara Gruen.
鈥淎t the Water鈥檚 Edge,鈥� the newest novel by 鈥淲ater for Elephants鈥� writer Sara Gruen, continues to sell well, though it received mixed reviews.
鈥淲ater鈥� came out at the end of March and debuted at number five on the IndieBound hardcover nonfiction list. For the most recent list, which was for the week of April 30, 鈥淲ater鈥� is at number five again. Meanwhile, it鈥檚 at number 10 on hardcover fiction list for the week of May 10.聽
The book has received mixed reviews. found the book to be 鈥渞iveting鈥� A slow start gives way to mystery upon mystery, building to a gripping climax. Though some aspects, particularly an ambiguous brush with the supernatural, are a little pedestrian, Gruen鈥檚 beautiful setting and deeply sympathetic characters ensure a memorable read for new and returning fans alike.鈥�
But critic Patty Rhule wrote that the husband of protagonist Maddie is 鈥渁 cartoonishly self-absorbed villain鈥�. Maddie is a sympathetic character 鈥� yet inn workers Meg and Anna 鈥� are far more compelling鈥�. Gruen's depiction of life during wartime is powerfully evocative鈥�. But despite the presence of a mythical beast, this doesn't quite add up to a legendary love story.鈥�
critic Bethanne Patrick agreed, writing that the book鈥檚 鈥渃haracters come straight from 鈥楾he Big Book of Gaelic Bodice Rippers鈥欌��.聽 Gruen does have deeper themes in mind, and occasionally they break through鈥�. While fans of聽Diana Gabaldon鈥檚 'Outlander'聽novels may adore the Scottish hunk who tempts the girl, many readers will find the story鈥檚 ultimate mystery cloudier than Loch Ness, and they鈥檒l be even more disappointed that it has nothing to do with an aquatic monster."聽
And found the book to be 鈥渟illy."聽
鈥淕ruen's handling of air raids, food rations, sad telegrams and reports from the front makes the thinness of the story's premise all the more awkward,鈥� KR wrote. 鈥淎t heart, this is an unlikely romance novel. A little too unlikely.鈥�