Scan barcode
mbad15's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Suicide
_m_a_r_a's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was a struggle to get through. None of the characters were likeable and there were also so many that I struggled to follow who was who for most of the story. I found the writing felt like it was trying to be too clever and then just felt a bit messy.
There is a plot twist at the end and things pick up pace but it’s also frustrating that the focus completely switches focus to probably the most unlikeable character after investing so much time in the plight of Kitty. But maybe that’s the point.
At times I thought it was interesting how the perspective the story was being told shifted between characters but overall it might’ve been stronger if being told through Nina’s eyes.
Why did there have to be two older men pining for younger women?? Boring!
There is a plot twist at the end and things pick up pace but it’s also frustrating that the focus completely switches focus to probably the most unlikeable character after investing so much time in the plight of Kitty. But maybe that’s the point.
At times I thought it was interesting how the perspective the story was being told shifted between characters but overall it might’ve been stronger if being told through Nina’s eyes.
Why did there have to be two older men pining for younger women?? Boring!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Suicide
zoealicem's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Animal death, Eating disorder, Gun violence, and Suicide
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Forced institutionalization
this was a strange book. at first i thought that the weirdly written characters were unintentional, but now i disagree. i think that there was some beautiful dialogue and descriptions in here as well. my main issue was just how confused i was all the time. i was so anxious trying to see how the ending would play out, and when it did, i was just a bit let down and more confused. it’s a gripping easy read with some interesting character studies. i wish we could have actually read the poems referred to so many times. however i thought the character of kitty finch was brilliant and i just wanted more and more scenes with her in it.ladyr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, and Suicide
mj_86's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Eating disorder
roxyc's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Eating disorder and Suicide
triple_m's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A short read and weird storyline that kept me engaged. I thought this book was good but I don’t really feel like I understood it. I don’t have any strong feelings about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Moderate: Forced institutionalization and Blood
savvylit's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This oddly riveting book is peopled by mostly unlikeable and exaggerated characters. Joe is an eccentric artist. Isabel is an absent career woman. Jurgen is a lazy stoner. Mitchell is an overweight foodie with a spending problem. Nina is a petulant teenager who is disgusted by her parents.
Levy satirizes each of these "foreigners abroad" stereotypes to great effect. What ultimately comes out of Swimming Home is a fascinating look at the humanity of the people that we struggle to take seriously.
Levy satirizes each of these "foreigners abroad" stereotypes to great effect. What ultimately comes out of Swimming Home is a fascinating look at the humanity of the people that we struggle to take seriously.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Suicide
katiiekhaos's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Read for a University class.
This book feels simultaneously like a book I would typically enjoy because of the themes/context, and also a book I wouldn’t normally pick up. I think it’s well written and the characters are fleshed out, and also very flawed; with some often very questionable motives and desires. The ending was shocking but I hadn’t grown as attached to the characters (except Nina) so I didn’t have much of an emotional response to it.
Having to write an essay about this book did make me appreciate how much skill Levy put into this book, there is so many subtle foreshadowing scenes that come together so perfectly at the end.
Overall for me this was a good book but not amazing.
This book feels simultaneously like a book I would typically enjoy because of the themes/context, and also a book I wouldn’t normally pick up. I think it’s well written and the characters are fleshed out, and also very flawed; with some often very questionable motives and desires. The ending was shocking but I hadn’t grown as attached to the characters (except Nina) so I didn’t have much of an emotional response to it.
Having to write an essay about this book did make me appreciate how much skill Levy put into this book, there is so many subtle foreshadowing scenes that come together so perfectly at the end.
Overall for me this was a good book but not amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Death of parent
Moderate: Eating disorder and Infidelity
lenin_lover_69's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Beautiful and devastating, such a short delicious read. My favourite of Deborah Levy's to date
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Minor: Eating disorder