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cecereads__'s review against another edition
4.25
Deborah Levy does subtlety really well. She’s quite the master of it imo, and she especially knows how to do it mixed with the unexpected which is a contradiction in a way but that’s what’s accomplished. The way the story weaves things and personalities and “destinies” together in a cryptic but clear way makes for a very interesting read. The story takes place during a week of summer vacation so physically (location) we stay somewhat still, but mentally in terms of growth is where all the change and chain-reactions happen.
I almost wanted to know more and explore the characters and their connection further but it wasn’t what the story was about or what the story was “meant” to give it’s reader - but I didn’t feel like it was missing, if that makes sense, I knew that it was supposed to be the way it is where we simply know most characters in the periphery (as much as you would know someone during the span of a week).
I found the last chapter - 17 years after the week in France - quite intriguing as it was the most subtle and unexpected in a way. As if the week wasn’t that big a deal or that life-altering even though it was; the ambivalence of it while speaking as if it was any other “random” week from the past as in “oh yeah, by the way…” - idk. But that’s just my initial take on it
I almost wanted to know more and explore the characters and their connection further but it wasn’t what the story was about or what the story was “meant” to give it’s reader - but I didn’t feel like it was missing, if that makes sense, I knew that it was supposed to be the way it is where we simply know most characters in the periphery (as much as you would know someone during the span of a week).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
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
elmo_isoutside's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
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
nora__reads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An family drama set on the sun soaked French Riviera in the 90s. Tense, enticing and poetic it’s a story of desire and death told by a master.
Reminiscent of The Great Gatsby in the way it builds tension reliant on things unsaid and summer heat. A wonderfully addictive book, far greater that it’s 160 pages.
Reminiscent of The Great Gatsby in the way it builds tension reliant on things unsaid and summer heat. A wonderfully addictive book, far greater that it’s 160 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide