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reverie_and_books's review against another edition
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski - Review (🇬🇧 + 🇩🇪)
In 1980s Poland, the love story of Ludwik and Janusz is unthinkable. While an unauthorized copy of Giovanni's room - glued between unsuspicious book covers - opens Ludwik's eyes further to himself, he falls in love with Janusz. A beautiful time at a deserted lake is followed by harsh reality in a Soviet-controlled country. Certain personal files are kept by the administration, food is scarce and the fear is great. How will the couple face reality? What price has the loss of ones integrity?
The importance of fiction is made very clear in this book. On top of that, the story is full of poetic lines and melancholy. And I liked Ludwik from the very beginning.
4 ⭐️
_____
🇩🇪 Im Wasser sind wir schwerelos von Tomasz Jedrowski, übersetzt von Brigitte Jakobeit
Ludwik schreibt an Janusz und rekapituliert ihre gemeinsame Zeit in einem Sommer der frühen 1980er in Polen. So beginnt dieser Roman. Ihre Liebesgeschichte war damals an diesem Ort jedoch undenkbar und Erzählungen ihrer Art verbannt. Ludwik liest den Roman »Giovannis Zimmer« dennoch – zwischen fremden Buchdeckeln.
Auf eine wunderschöne Zeit an einem verlassenen See folgt die harte Realität in einem durch die Sowjets kontrolliertem Land. Akten werden unter dem Schlagwort „Sodomie“ geführt, die Lebensmittel sind knapp und die Angst ist groß. Wie werden die beiden der Realität begegnen? Und was sind ihre Ansprüche daran? Ist die Karriere wichtiger als die eigene Integrität?
Diese Art von Geschichten sind sehr wichtig. Und diese hier ist dazu auch noch sehr schön, melancholisch und poetisch. Ludwik habe ich sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Klare Empfehlung!
4 ⭐️
In 1980s Poland, the love story of Ludwik and Janusz is unthinkable. While an unauthorized copy of Giovanni's room - glued between unsuspicious book covers - opens Ludwik's eyes further to himself, he falls in love with Janusz. A beautiful time at a deserted lake is followed by harsh reality in a Soviet-controlled country. Certain personal files are kept by the administration, food is scarce and the fear is great. How will the couple face reality? What price has the loss of ones integrity?
The importance of fiction is made very clear in this book. On top of that, the story is full of poetic lines and melancholy. And I liked Ludwik from the very beginning.
4 ⭐️
_____
🇩🇪 Im Wasser sind wir schwerelos von Tomasz Jedrowski, übersetzt von Brigitte Jakobeit
Ludwik schreibt an Janusz und rekapituliert ihre gemeinsame Zeit in einem Sommer der frühen 1980er in Polen. So beginnt dieser Roman. Ihre Liebesgeschichte war damals an diesem Ort jedoch undenkbar und Erzählungen ihrer Art verbannt. Ludwik liest den Roman »Giovannis Zimmer« dennoch – zwischen fremden Buchdeckeln.
Auf eine wunderschöne Zeit an einem verlassenen See folgt die harte Realität in einem durch die Sowjets kontrolliertem Land. Akten werden unter dem Schlagwort „Sodomie“ geführt, die Lebensmittel sind knapp und die Angst ist groß. Wie werden die beiden der Realität begegnen? Und was sind ihre Ansprüche daran? Ist die Karriere wichtiger als die eigene Integrität?
Diese Art von Geschichten sind sehr wichtig. Und diese hier ist dazu auch noch sehr schön, melancholisch und poetisch. Ludwik habe ich sofort ins Herz geschlossen. Klare Empfehlung!
4 ⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Drug use
puddlemud's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Antisemitism
bill369's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
I've heard many great comments on this book. Therefore, I've read it.
I understand the situation of both main characters. They each got their struggle and are trying to do their best. I like them both. I admire Ludwik for his critical mind. He fights for freedom while being aware of the consequences these actions may resolve in. Every action and conversation counts. On the other hand, I admire Janusz for his shrewdness. He knows who to be friends with to achieve advantages. He's aware of how to cheat the system. Their relationship is incredibly beautiful. I love all the aspects of it. Despite the rather tragic end, I suppose it's my favourite fictional couple to exist. The positive part was amazing. Their relationship woke so many of my emotions. I was joyful, shocked, angry and sad. Everything about it is perfect. I simply adore them. The other characters seem great too. I got nothing to complain about.
Two homosexuals in communist Poland. The historic depiction is fabulous. I've learned quite a few new facts while mainly focusing on the relationship. The book shows the need for connections and how the lives of „equal“ people differ. For instance, without connexions, there's a minimal chance of getting some more luxurious goods because of their constant shortage. More importantly, it shows the ubiquitous homophobia. Despite being illegal it would cause them a lot of trouble therefore they had to hide. As consequence, they felt like there was something wrong with them. They were told to feel that way. And I find that just horrible. It's so unfair people are looked down on just because of who they love. Not to forget, the always present fear of loneliness. The impossibility of thinking their love could work out. How could they believe in such a thing if they didn't know anyone for whom it did work out?
Page 11, powerful others.
Občas nad člověkem mají jiní lidé moc, ať se mu to líbí, nebo ne. Teď si to začínám uvědomovat. Z některých lidí, některých událostí prostě ztratíš hlavu. Jsou jako gilotina, rozseknou ti život na dvě půlky, živou a mrtvou, předtím a potom.
Page 39, the neverending fear of loneliness.
Nejvíce jsem se děsil toho, že skončím sám. Přesto si část mého já byla jistá, že přesně takhle skončím a že to je to nejhorší, co se může někomu přihodit.
Page 175, calm but on the werge of a breakdown the plus fear of loneliness.
Zvláštním způsobem jsem však zůstával klidný. Ten klid, říkám si, byl taky jistou formou šoku. Pokud bych něčemu dovolil uniknout ven, celého by mě to přemohlo. Jako tísnivá, zvětšující se, zívající propast tu byl vždypřítomný strach, hrůza z toho, že budu žít sám. Ještě dnes cítím chvění toho strachu, jeho ozvěnu mám pevně zakořeněnou v konečcích prstů a také v tom malém beztížném prostoru v mém podbříšku, jen několik centimetrů nad rozkrokem.
Page 197, we can't beg others to love us.
Protože jsi měl pravdu, když jsi říkál, že lidé nám vždy nemohou dát, co po nich chceme, že je nemůžeme žádat, aby nás milovali tak, jak chceme. Nikomu to nelze vyčítat. A nepříznivé okolnosti proti nám byly od samého počátku: neměli jsme žádný manuál, nikdo nám neukázal cestu. Neměli jsme jediný příklad šťastného páru, v němž byli dva chlapci. Jak jsme měli vědět, co dělat? Věřili jsme vůbec, že by nám štěstí mohlo vyjít?
Page 198, desire to be cared for.
Chci boršč a pirožky a teplý makový koláč a cítím tu obrovskou dutou prázdnotu uvnitř sebe, touhu po teplu. Ale vůbec to nebolí, spíš je to jako nějaký příslib.
Although the end of the book is sad and I did cry while I was reading the book I wasn't crying while reading this part in particular.
Master's work. I adore this book. I love it very dearly. I'm really glad I read it.
I understand the situation of both main characters. They each got their struggle and are trying to do their best. I like them both. I admire Ludwik for his critical mind. He fights for freedom while being aware of the consequences these actions may resolve in. Every action and conversation counts. On the other hand, I admire Janusz for his shrewdness. He knows who to be friends with to achieve advantages. He's aware of how to cheat the system. Their relationship is incredibly beautiful. I love all the aspects of it. Despite the rather tragic end, I suppose it's my favourite fictional couple to exist. The positive part was amazing. Their relationship woke so many of my emotions. I was joyful, shocked, angry and sad. Everything about it is perfect. I simply adore them. The other characters seem great too. I got nothing to complain about.
Two homosexuals in communist Poland. The historic depiction is fabulous. I've learned quite a few new facts while mainly focusing on the relationship. The book shows the need for connections and how the lives of „equal“ people differ. For instance, without connexions, there's a minimal chance of getting some more luxurious goods because of their constant shortage. More importantly, it shows the ubiquitous homophobia. Despite being illegal it would cause them a lot of trouble therefore they had to hide. As consequence, they felt like there was something wrong with them. They were told to feel that way. And I find that just horrible. It's so unfair people are looked down on just because of who they love. Not to forget, the always present fear of loneliness. The impossibility of thinking their love could work out. How could they believe in such a thing if they didn't know anyone for whom it did work out?
Page 11, powerful others.
Page 39, the neverending fear of loneliness.
Page 175, calm but on the werge of a breakdown the plus fear of loneliness.
Page 197, we can't beg others to love us.
Page 198, desire to be cared for.
Although the end of the book is sad and I did cry while I was reading the book I wasn't crying while reading this part in particular.
Master's work. I adore this book. I love it very dearly. I'm really glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Medical content, and Sexual content
Minor: Antisemitism, Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Drug use
domreadsb00ks's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual content
garynoplastie's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Outing, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Adult/minor relationship, Police brutality, War, and Homophobia
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
srm's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book is lovely. And I love the sense of melancholy.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Drug use, and Homophobia
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