A review by balfies
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

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

3.75

For the swimmers, the pool is at the centre of their lives. The swimmers' most sacred rule is to be kind to Alice, who is losing her memory. Then inexplicable cracks emerge in the pool.

An incredibly affecting piece of autofiction about having a parent with Alzheimer's, and the daily griefs of watching a loved one's sense of self give out under them. 

I've never read one of Otsuka's full novels, but if they're all as moving, beautiful, and precise as this then I'm gonna have to bump them up the list. Read if you like Crying in H Mart or No One is Talking About This.
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