Scan barcode
sllagnire's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
book_lizard42's review
2.0
I won this book on Goodreads, and I'm about 100 pages in. At this point, I do not feel like the writer has found her own voice. There are some elegant or unique phrases that are scattered haphazardly in places where they don't belong. We have all heard "show, don't tell." The author shows a superficial piece, and then follows up with a paragraph which tells. It's the difference between going to Africa myself and seeing a show on Animal Planet. I just don't feel like I have been taken there yet.
I am hoping that by the end, the author has found her own voice rather than trying to channel other authors.
I am hoping that by the end, the author has found her own voice rather than trying to channel other authors.
kalliste's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this but I'm also confused. It was well written and I enjoyed the story but it sort of just, ended. I checked on my Kindle and it said 4mins left in chapter, 5 mins left in book. I thought it must have been wrong because it didn't feel finished.
It was also strange as what seemed to be the entire reason for the book (based on the first chapter or so) never really went anywhere. I actually had forgotten how it started until the last chapter when I was reminded.
It was also strange as what seemed to be the entire reason for the book (based on the first chapter or so) never really went anywhere. I actually had forgotten how it started until the last chapter when I was reminded.
shesnotthere's review
5.0
Thanks Goodreads for the great giveaway!!! Night Swim is a powerful first novel about a family unraveling before the eyes of the teenage daughter, Sarah. Unable to comprehend the actions of their parents, Sarah & her brothers retreat into their secret worlds with unforeseen consequences. I was totally engrossed by this compelling story. I literally wanted to take Sarah & her siblings home with me. My only regret is I wasn’t quite ready to let the characters go & I wish I knew what happens to Sarah & her brothers later in their lives. I will highly recommend this book to my book club & I look forward to Ms. Keener’s next novel.
jbarr5's review
4.0
Night Swim by Jessica Keener
This coming of age book took me a bit by surprise.
'It's about a young lady who has lost her mother to a tragic accident.
From that point on she is bullied and deals with it at school with help from her friends.
She tries to fit in being Jewish also. Her father sends her away for school during the week and she experiments with a boy and sex.
After they are reprimanded and sent back home they have no contact but she finds a new boy.
Like that the mother figure in the house is NOT the father's new girlfriend but a housemaid. She comes to the young girls aid and they talk to one another as she helps her get over problems.
Found at times the adult situations were a bit explicit.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.
This coming of age book took me a bit by surprise.
'It's about a young lady who has lost her mother to a tragic accident.
From that point on she is bullied and deals with it at school with help from her friends.
She tries to fit in being Jewish also. Her father sends her away for school during the week and she experiments with a boy and sex.
After they are reprimanded and sent back home they have no contact but she finds a new boy.
Like that the mother figure in the house is NOT the father's new girlfriend but a housemaid. She comes to the young girls aid and they talk to one another as she helps her get over problems.
Found at times the adult situations were a bit explicit.
Received this review copy from The Story Plant and this is my honest opinion.
alireadsandknits's review
3.0
This was a snapshot of a family in the 1970's. I enjoyed it but felt it ended abruptly.
soniakarina's review
3.0
This was an interesting book in that I enjoyed reading it but...I'm not sure I ever knew what it was about. Let me explain, the book was beautifully written. The characters were captivating, and the emotions were real and tangible. But the plot...well, I'm not sure there was a whole lot of plot to it. But maybe that was the point?
The book starts in present time with the protagonist reflecting on her past, and travels back in time to share a piece of her history. This piece of her history is the main story, I suppose, and although, once again, captivating and well written, it just seems a bit disjointed and never really "takes off". When we return to present day again at the end...nothing much has been resolved, or done, or said...there are all these wholes, all these missing pieces. And yet, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the characters since I put the book down 2 days ago.
It left me wanting more, a whole lot more. Which could be seen as a good thing, or...as a novel lacking substance. I'm not sure. Thus the 3 star rating. I liked it, but...yeah...
The book starts in present time with the protagonist reflecting on her past, and travels back in time to share a piece of her history. This piece of her history is the main story, I suppose, and although, once again, captivating and well written, it just seems a bit disjointed and never really "takes off". When we return to present day again at the end...nothing much has been resolved, or done, or said...there are all these wholes, all these missing pieces. And yet, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the characters since I put the book down 2 days ago.
It left me wanting more, a whole lot more. Which could be seen as a good thing, or...as a novel lacking substance. I'm not sure. Thus the 3 star rating. I liked it, but...yeah...
nicolesnook's review
2.0
Main character Sarah Kunitz reflects back on a time as a Bostonian teenager in the 1970's. Her already troubled family is pushed into further despair when her mother is killed in a car accident. I just didn't get it. None of the characters are likable. I didn't see any great life lesson. The beginning doesn't connect well with the rest of the story. It was just a big mess to me.
kristenfh's review
2.0
I tried to finish this book, I really did, but after 100 pages I had to admit defeat. The book was simply boring... although events took place that should have made it interesting, it just fell short.
gettinglostinagoodbook's review
2.0
As I quickly scan the reviews I feel like I have completely missed something. I did not fall in love with this book. In fact, I'm not really sure what this book was about. The characters, particularly the father, seemed relatively flat to me. The grief over losing a mother tried to be powerful, but didn't quite make it. The quirky brother wasn't quite quirky enough. Basically I was left wanting more I so many aspects of this book.
Particularly - an editor!
Particularly - an editor!