Description

Book Synopsis
It is 1958: Isolde Dahl is a young teacher who goes to work in a British school on the shores of Lake Ploen in north-west Germany. She is returning to a country she fled as a child refugee with her mother, Renate. Her father has disappeared into the chaos of a continent ravaged by war. Isolde has grown up in a Wales both strange and familiar. 1945, Lake Ploen. Michael Quantz is an officer in what is left of a shattered German military command as they stage a last chaotic stand before the Allied armies in the final days of the World War II. Everyone has secrets. Michael wants to survive: his wife and son may still be alive. He will hide, change, become a teacher of music. As Isolde and Michael meet on the shores of a German lake, the choices they have made and the stories they have told will change their lives again.

Trade Review
`Truly extraordinary' - A L Kennedy, The Guardian; `Davies's fusion of past and present is masterly. A revelation' -Independent; `A timely study of race, identity, prejudice and forgiveness' -Big Issue; `Resonating with poignant imagery, this outstanding novel examines the best and worst of human nature' - The Times

The Element of Water

    Product form

    £8.54

    Includes FREE delivery

    RRP £8.99 – you save £0.45 (5%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Mon 15 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Stevie Davies

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of The Element of Water by Stevie Davies

      Publisher: Parthian Books
      Publication Date: 01/01/2019
      ISBN13: 9781912681150, 978-1912681150
      ISBN10: 1912681153

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      It is 1958: Isolde Dahl is a young teacher who goes to work in a British school on the shores of Lake Ploen in north-west Germany. She is returning to a country she fled as a child refugee with her mother, Renate. Her father has disappeared into the chaos of a continent ravaged by war. Isolde has grown up in a Wales both strange and familiar. 1945, Lake Ploen. Michael Quantz is an officer in what is left of a shattered German military command as they stage a last chaotic stand before the Allied armies in the final days of the World War II. Everyone has secrets. Michael wants to survive: his wife and son may still be alive. He will hide, change, become a teacher of music. As Isolde and Michael meet on the shores of a German lake, the choices they have made and the stories they have told will change their lives again.

      Trade Review
      `Truly extraordinary' - A L Kennedy, The Guardian; `Davies's fusion of past and present is masterly. A revelation' -Independent; `A timely study of race, identity, prejudice and forgiveness' -Big Issue; `Resonating with poignant imagery, this outstanding novel examines the best and worst of human nature' - The Times

      Recently viewed products

      © 2026 Book Curl

        • American Express
        • Apple Pay
        • Diners Club
        • Discover
        • Google Pay
        • Maestro
        • Mastercard
        • PayPal
        • Shop Pay
        • Union Pay
        • Visa

        Login

        Forgot your password?

        Don't have an account yet?
        Create account