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kellingway's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lovelylittleladd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I think this is one of those books that will stick with me for a long time. I finished it about an hour ago and I still just keep thinking about it, pondering many of the concepts it makes you think about. I love historical fiction. I think this does a great job of being realistic for the place and time period it’s set in. I’m not the biggest fan of second person, but Jedrowski made it very likeable for me. It made sense with the narrative and Ludwik writing to Janusz.
There is a LOT that can be discussed about this book which is super impressive to me considering it’s not even 200 pages! There are so many different lenses you can look at it from and discuss. I applaud Jedrowski. The pacing never feels too quick with it being a smaller novel. It feels quite natural!
As a lesbian in the southern United States, I really admired the different takes the characters have on how to live and go through life. Although I don’t live in a communist nation and am in the 21st century, there’s still a lot that I resonated with. In the Southern United States, especially in the “Bible Belt,” there’s the constant question of “do I play it safe and abide by the traditions I’ve grown up around or do I choose a path of freedom that might feel quite lonely and alienating at times?” Sometimes, it’s a battle Queer people fight their whole lives. Some choose to be like Ludwik. Others choose to be like Janusz. Some go back and forth. Some never admit they are like either character. I don’t think there should be shame surrounding these choices. Oftentimes, the cards feel stacked against you as a Queer person in the world just simply trying to exist, especially in areas and countries where it doesn’t feel safe to do so. I really liked having the different perspectives and it made me reflect a lot.
I also really admired that despite this not having a typical “happy ending,” it still gives you hope. I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a tragedy. It is sad, but unfortunately it’s quite realistic. It shows you that hope can always exist alongside pain. You can look for that light even when it feels dim or blown out. You can swim in the dark. You can do hard things.
There’s so many other aspects of this book I could get into but I’ll choose to save it for book club. I cannot wait to discuss this with my book club tomorrow night!! Wonderful first book of the semester.
There is a LOT that can be discussed about this book which is super impressive to me considering it’s not even 200 pages! There are so many different lenses you can look at it from and discuss. I applaud Jedrowski. The pacing never feels too quick with it being a smaller novel. It feels quite natural!
As a lesbian in the southern United States, I really admired the different takes the characters have on how to live and go through life. Although I don’t live in a communist nation and am in the 21st century, there’s still a lot that I resonated with. In the Southern United States, especially in the “Bible Belt,” there’s the constant question of “do I play it safe and abide by the traditions I’ve grown up around or do I choose a path of freedom that might feel quite lonely and alienating at times?” Sometimes, it’s a battle Queer people fight their whole lives. Some choose to be like Ludwik. Others choose to be like Janusz. Some go back and forth. Some never admit they are like either character. I don’t think there should be shame surrounding these choices. Oftentimes, the cards feel stacked against you as a Queer person in the world just simply trying to exist, especially in areas and countries where it doesn’t feel safe to do so. I really liked having the different perspectives and it made me reflect a lot.
I also really admired that despite this not having a typical “happy ending,” it still gives you hope. I wouldn’t necessarily consider this a tragedy. It is sad, but unfortunately it’s quite realistic. It shows you that hope can always exist alongside pain. You can look for that light even when it feels dim or blown out. You can swim in the dark. You can do hard things.
There’s so many other aspects of this book I could get into but I’ll choose to save it for book club. I cannot wait to discuss this with my book club tomorrow night!! Wonderful first book of the semester.
fureverlove's review against another edition
emotional
fast-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
4.0
majeczka_'s review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
elnelson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Outing
Moderate: Hate crime, Police brutality, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Classism
sophielinehan39's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
such beautiful writing about a tragic story. the way he wrote shame and fear around homosexuality was so relatable and scarily accurate. i loved this book, it was so so sad but you follow ludwik finding his voice and realising he’s not something to be hidden or ashamed of.
acmarinho3's review against another edition
5.0
Existem tantos pormenores neste livro que me fazem sentir uma conexão especial, mas as ligações à Polónia e à água são, sem dúvida, o arquétipo emocional. A maneira como o autor nos guia pelo descobrimento pessoal de Ludwik é sublime. Afinal o que é o amor? Afinal quem é ele e como se relaciona com os seus amigos, com os seus amantes e com o seu país em plena lei marcial? Ludwik une-se a Janusz como uma corrente marítima: cheia de força, mas turbulenta. Um amor às escondidas que sofre pelo seu segredo. Do início ao fim é pura prosa poética. Lindíssimo!
lena09's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
esprkl2's review against another edition
5.0
This book is a hauntingly beautiful novel that deeply moved me to be honest. Jedrowski's lyrical prose and poignant storytelling illuminate a hidden world of love and longing against the backdrop of political upheaval in 1980s Poland.
What really got me the most about the novel is Jedrowski's portrayal of the intense and forbidden romance between Ludwik and Janusz, set against the backdrop of a repressive regime. And how Jedrowski explores themes of identity, desire, and the search for personal freedom in a world fraught with oppression and secrecy.
What really got me the most about the novel is Jedrowski's portrayal of the intense and forbidden romance between Ludwik and Janusz, set against the backdrop of a repressive regime. And how Jedrowski explores themes of identity, desire, and the search for personal freedom in a world fraught with oppression and secrecy.
jannythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
sad but hope those boys shared moments of happiness together. don't know much about the country's history