Reviews

Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller

whitmc's review

4.0

One of those that is going to sit with me for a long time, less for the plot and more for all the feelings that came through the pages. Wasn't sure about it for the first 40%; had a hard time with the structure, which switches back and forth between present with a third person narrative and letters written in the past, about the past (so double past?) in second person.

But then I got sucked in and needed to know how it ended...I didn't get what I was expecting when I snagged this book from the library. It's not a light book, nor happy, but it makes you feel and tells a story of so many things that underlie the lives of everyone at some level. Love versus lust, loneliness, isolation, obligation, need, friendship, loss, parents + kids and all the complications that come with those relationships, marriage, perspective and regret. So much regret.

Definitely recommend. Read with a big mug of tea in the fall or winter.

nerdyrev's review

5.0

I had the book Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller sitting next to me for a few months. The wonderful people at Tin House sent me an early copy and I was thrilled. I noticed though it was not going to be published until February and I would have to wait for this incredible book. I loved her first book- Our Endless Numbered Days and I couldn't wait to tear into this one, but I had to wait.

Then Book of the Month did a wonderful thing and released the book early as a selection for December! I had my excuse! I could read the book and review it now. Thanks to BoTM. I am so glad I had the excuse as this is a heartbreaking story, but Fuller did it again.

There are two stories going on throughout this book. One is the story of Flora and her sister as they go to the bedside of Gil, their father. He jumped from his balcony when he said he saw his ex-wife Ingrid. The problem is Ingrid disappeared years ago and was thought to have killed herself or some thought Gil murdered her, but no one knows the truth.

The other story is the story of Ingrid and Gil, told from Ingrid's perspective through letters she wrote to Gil about their life together and stuck in between his books. It is the story of a womanizing, famous husband who is never home and the woman who is left behind struggling to keep the family together. Stuck home with kids, as Gil does his thing. The letters build to the day Ingrid will disappear.

Each story is about broken relationships as the childish Flora has a strained relationship with her sister and her father. Even though she has heard things, she simply does not want to believe them. Ingrid and Gil's story gives light to how the sisters acted as children which helps one see why they act the way they do in the present.

There is such a feeling of stuckness too. The town seems tiny, Ingrid seems trapped, and here Flora and her sister must co-exist to care for their dying father who wasn't part of their life. They are trapped in their lives because of the man at the center of it all- Gil.

Fuller has an incredible voice and she develops characters quite well. There were bits of callbacks to letters Ingrid had written in the beginning that play out in the sisters. In some ways, they don't really grow up, at least Flora didn't. Fuller's writing voice is just right for a story like this one.

I really enjoyed this one and I thank Tin House for the early copy. The advanced copy in no way helped change my opinion of the book. I would have given this one 4.5 stars either way.

lpip's review

3.0

Not a bad read just not a great one. I felt listless by the end...the plot had me thinking some big twists were coming but turns out it all ended pretty straightforwardly and I came out disliking pretty much all of the characters!

smores11's review against another edition

5.0

This novel was beautifully written, with characters that were developed carefully and thoughtfully. Reading Ingrid's letters to her husband gave a look at motherhood that is rarely talked about. Something you would never say out loud. Everything about this novel and Ingrid is raw and emotional.

I do not often feel a mourning sensation when I have finished a book, but I actually find myself saddened by finally putting this book down.

appletonkelli's review against another edition

5.0

In the back of your mind, you sort of know where the story is going. Or at least you think you do.

But then you find out that you really did not know after all.

The storylines carry you along like the tide going in and out until they finally completely merge into one tragic tale of love and loss and starting over.

mhreads's review

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity

ashleighreadsbookss's review

4.0

This was a really good book, but it was truly one of the saddest stories I have ever read. The pain and dysfunction of the family in this book was more than I could handle. That being said, I couldn't put it down. This is one of those heart-tugging books that make you almost NEED to read more. I received this through my Book of the Month subscription, so the moment you can get your hands on this, I would.

I think the only reason I gave this less than five stars was due to the fact that some of the plotlines were completely random. They didn't end resolved either, so that was quite definitely a frustrating thing with this book. Other than that, amazing. I want to read more of her work!

kristenesantos's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

justdavid3113's review against another edition

5.0

Claire Fuller’s writing is more beautiful, more enveloping and more engaging than anything I’ve read for years. Her characters are so real that their pain is palpable. Their lives are so meticulously constructed that you feel everything they go through and I have no idea how she does it.

She is no one hit wonder. ‘Our Endless Numbered Days’ was a fantastic book, but I personally believe that this one is even better.

katalia's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0