Wednesday, February 23, 2022

Book Review - The Swimmers; Julie Otsuka

 

The Swimmers; Julie Otsuka
Knopf - 2022

The Swimmers is a very short novel at fewer than 200 pages and, it is a most unique kind of story. 

The story begins with a group of swimmers, all regulars who frequent a community type underground pool (picture a fitness club or YMCA).  These swimmers are obsessed with their routines and find swimming as a way of forgetting their troubles.  For an hour or so each day swimming helps them to cope with everyday life. There is a set of unspoken rules among the regulars and as they admit,  swimming is their addiction of choice.   It's when the pool closes for 10 days each August that the swimmers must face their real lives and deal with neglected families and issues at home. Oddly, each of the swimmers ,with the exception of Alice remains unnamed.  We do learn that Alice is a retired lab technician and she is also forgetful.   

One day a crack appears in the pool, yet no water is escaping.  The inspectors are at a loss and agree that the cause may never be found.  Each of the swimmers thinks there is some significance to the crack and even that it is bad luck to swim over it.  Then one day, the bad news arrives,  the pool management announces the pool will be closing for good.  Alice, however, is allowed to swim an extra lap and forget her troubles for a bit longer.

Next there is a rather abrupt change in story line in which the focus switches to Alice and the story takes a more serious turn.  This section is narrated by her daughter as her mother slips deeper into dementia and eventually must prepare for a move to a memory type care facility.  We learn much about Alice's past, as well as most every detail about what goes on in a memory care facility. 

This was not just a story about obsessed swimmers, it was a touching mother-daughter story as well. It seemed very personal, perhaps at least in part, based on the author's own experience with her mother.  The writing is both unique and beautiful with realistic and touching moments. There seemed to be a clear message about not postponing all the things that you have been meaning to do or people you've wanted to spend time with -  tomorrow, next month or next year are not guaranteed. This is the second book I've read by this author, she has a different style which I very much enjoy.

Rating - 4.5/5 stars

Thanks go to Knopf Publishing and Edelweiss for allowing me access to the eGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

17 comments:

  1. Ohhh I'm excited to read this. I am #9 on the hold list at my library!

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  2. I like the way you told about this one, Diane. I'm always interested in a storyline that includes dementia. Will check to see if my library has a copy. Thanks!

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  3. That sounds like an amazing little story.

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  4. The storyline you describe appears to be quite a unique and creative one. It's understandable that it would result in a very readable story in the hands of a good writer.

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    1. I didn't read anything about this one beforehand and, I was scratching my head wondering where the "swimmers" was headed but, it all turned out to be quite rewarding.

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  5. This one sounds sad, but also very heartfelt. I've read Otsuka's novel The Buddha in the Attic and found it to be interesting, a little sad, and very uniquely told. I'll have to keep this one in mind.

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    1. Well, yes, the dementia aspect was both sad and yet heartfelt. I love a good memoir and I know this was fiction yet is seemed quite true to life.

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  6. I listened to a sample of the audio version and will add it to my wish list. It sounds wonderful.

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    1. Oh, I never did sample the audio - that's good that you liked the narrator.

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  7. Reading this description made me think of the group of swimmers I meet up with each Saturday morning at my local Y. We're getting to know one another, have our usual lanes that we swim in, and all know the lifeguard. :-)

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    1. Swimmers, their dedication and sometimes obsession with it is a real thing as I know someone who is obsessed with his year round lap swimming.

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  8. I set this aside after about 50 pages, evidently before the abrupt story shift. At first I was intrigued by the way she was telling the story collectively, then felt kept at a distance, and finally got bored/annoyed. Starting to wonder if it might have been a case of bad timing. The book isn't due for another week, maybe I'll eep going a little longer...

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    1. Yes, the beginning is a bit odd but, I found it a bit interesting as we have one of those obsessed swimmers in the family. I also working in healthcare management(nursing home/memory care environment) for a number of years so the later part where she describes the memory care environment brought back memories. (I'll be curious to read your thoughts if you give it another chance.)

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  9. Someday, I will get to this one.

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