Reviews tagging 'Death'

Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski

16 reviews

thatswhatshanread's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

An encapsulating story of being queer in the 1980s under socialist rule. While I was expecting a heartfelt summer romance, I also learned a lot about Poland’s politics and demographics in the 70s and 80s, the religious and communist themes throughout the country in spite of the end of German control. 

This is a very moving tale of love within the forbidden and hidden, of innocence lost and found, of the duality of cruelty and kindness in humanity. 

The writing is beautiful, like poetry, flowing like streams of consciousness from our protagonist, Ludwik, intent on finding himself in the world. His inner turmoil over his attraction to the same sex, his struggles with opening up to someone, his freedom from the Party’s ideologies. His love for Janusz and his lust for a different life. My heart broke for him in his journey for happiness and truth. I desperately wanted to give him a hug.

A melancholy novel rich with history and emotional ups and downs. Simply excellent.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Outing, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Terminal illness, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Alcohol, and War

Minor: Pregnancy

notthatcosta's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Overall I really liked this book; the pacing is excellent and the prose swept me up right away. The love story component felt fresh despite being very well trodden ground, particularly due to the political slant and the right/wrong of it feeling somewhat grey. 

I struggled with the protagonist at points, when he was particularly wallowing or dramatic without any sense of lightness or humour like those around him. However, there were moments of self awareness and growth in the narration that redeemed what occasionally veered into Brandon Taylor-esque melodrama.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Death of parent, and War

abicaro17's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow. This book is amazing. A love story between two very different boys, tells the tale of political unrest and oppression coloring 1980s Poland. Told through second person letters, Ludwik tells the story of his upbringing, life in Communist Poland, and his complicated relationship with Janusz. The writing styles approaches dark subjects with an almost flowery language, making every bit a joy to read. Does it get a tad slow at times? Yeah. Does it absolutely ramp up towards the end? Yes! This is a short yet poignant tale of love and unrest is a worthwhile read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body shaming, Cancer, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, War, and Classism

jayisreading's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Set in Communist Poland in the 1980s, I was incredibly moved by this tender and melancholic novel, which I’m pleasantly surprised to find out is Jedrowski’s first. Evoking the mood and energy of its inspiration, James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room, Swimming in the Dark sinks into Ludwick’s introspective world and his love for Janusz. I found the use of first- and second-person pronouns in this novel effective in crafting an incredible intimacy that exists between Ludwick (“I”) and Janusz (“you”) that is both aware of its charged sensuality and that it’s forbidden.

In addition to this relationship between two men, Jedrowski touches on what it means to live in Communist Poland. I felt this was somewhat underdeveloped, as it was semi-explored through the differing views that Ludwick and Janusz have of their country, especially while queer. It was also in Ludwig’s relationships with other characters (e.g., Ludwick’s landlady) that the reader learns about the state of the country during this time, ranging from healthcare to strict law enforcement. I think Jedrowski could have done more to flesh out the sociopolitical setting without it derailing too much from the main focus of this novel.

Aside from this minor complaint, though, I have nothing but praise for Ludwick and Janusz, who were the driving forces. This was also a beautiful homage (of sorts) to Giovanni’s Room, which made its way into the novel in a poignant way. All-in-all, this was a stunning debut from Jedrowski, and I truly look forward to his future works.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Death

Minor: Drug use, Police brutality, Antisemitism, and War

megelizabeth's review against another edition

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

This is beautifully written, poignant, and utterly heart-shattering. I adored our main character, Ludwik, and absolutely ached for him throughout, and the relationships he has with some of the other characters completely broke me. This has so much to say about love, politics, poverty, family, and what the right way is to live or be, and it's definitely one that will stay with me. That being said, I think it would have had even more of an impact - and potentially been a 5* read - had it been a bit longer. It grapples with two very key central themes (the tragic love story and the brutal homophobia that goes along with this, and then the social commentary around Soviet socialism), and at times it felt to me a bit rushed and as if it would have really benefitted from being that bit longer and developing both strands more fully.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, and Police brutality

Moderate: Death and Death of parent

Minor: Drug use, Rape, Sexual harassment, and War

waybeyondblue's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia

Moderate: Biphobia, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Outing

risemini's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, and Outing

icieri's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Antisemitism, and Grief

noveltay's review against another edition

emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Very well written, heartbreaking story about two gay men during a war. This broke me. Better than CMBYN. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Death of parent

elioreadsbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful informative reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This book is an ideological crisis wrapped in a love story. The difference between the two main characters is presented primarily through their opinions on the government they live under and how they survive in it. It’s very well written

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content, and War

Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Violence, and Antisemitism

Minor: Vomit