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Air

The contemplative and redemptive new novel from the bestselling author of The Heart's Invisible Furies

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Air

By: John Boyne
Narrated by: Colin Morgan
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Summary

Brought to you by Penguin.

NARRATED BY COLIN MORGAN, STAR OF BELFAST AND THE BBC TV SERIES MERLIN.

From internationally bestselling author John Boyne, a contemplative story about one man trying to move forward from the trauma of his youth to become a better father to his son.


Being in limbo, 30,000 feet in the air, offers time to reflect and take stock. For Aaron Umber, it’s an opportunity to connect with his 14-year-old son as they travel halfway across the world to meet a woman who isn’t expecting them.

Unsettled by his past, and anxious for his future, Aaron is at a crossroads in life. The damage inflicted upon him during his youth has made him the man he is, but now threatens to widen the growing fissures between him and his only child. This trip could bind them closer together, or tear them further apart.

In this penetrating examination of action and consequence, fault and attribution, acceptance and resolution, John Boyne gives us a redemptive story of a father and a son on a moving journey to mend their troubled lives.

'One of the greatest craftsmen in contemporary literature' Colum McCann

'Among the world's greatest storytellers' Donal Ryan

'One of the most assured novelists of his generation' Observer

©2025 John Boyne (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Family Life Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Heartfelt Thought-Provoking
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I’d recommend listening to the series in order. Just brilliant if you enjoy John’s work

Superb

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Having read all 4 parts of this story I think …

John Boyne is a truly great writer, I have read much of his work.

Having cleverly taken a story, which I’m sure in his brilliant writers mind he knew from book 1 Water & where it & its characters were going .. and divided the story into 4 parts using the four elements of water, earth, fire & air as placement themes.

I say cleverly because each book can indeed be read as a novella on its own, each a story, a good read alone, but each book doesn’t entirely work alone, because it leaves you wondering without answers, which might be fine for many readers, but when you know their are 4 elements to the whole you’ll want to read each and this, the finale!
4 books, more money for all .. clever Mr B!

Water I found maybe the most complete novella, sad, leaves you thinking long after .. Earth I found hard, very explicit and grimy in its subject, but perhaps the most thought provoking on the overall theme of guilt, innocence & trauma leading to the worst of humanity. Fire, talks well of where trauma & neglect can take a person. Air… twists, joining the dots, some surprises, much to mull over when the last word is spoken.

I like his equality… in both men & woman … & even in darkness humour & love.



Air, the last piece of the puzzle!

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Cant even begin to describe how much I love the element series. Intriguing, exciting, intelligent etc. I have read it twice to be sure I have got it all. Boyne is my favourite writer and I love all his boks, but this is the most clever og them

The cleverness and the ability to understand the human heart and mind

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The authors’ beautiful writing about the deep feelings within each subjects make up. Gives the reader insight into different people’s reaction to deeply disturbing circumstances.

Emotional effects on people by actions occurring on self and other members of the family

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I really love John Boyne. Ever since reading the Hearts Invisible Furies I was hooked. This series was a great easy but addictive listen. Narration is brilliant too. Would recommend.

The final book in a brilliant series

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