Reviews

Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski

livvi_05's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

flicklix's review

emotional inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

aliwhit's review

emotional funny reflective sad 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

4.5

fallona's review

4.0

At its best, it's a very accessible novel about definitions of freedom, and about choices on how to engage with or pull away from a deeply flawed system when seeking either (or both) freedom and stability.

Unfortunately I'm a lot more interested in the political tensions between Ludwik and Janusz, and Janusz's relationship with power and stability, than in what Ludwik thinks of everyone naked.

The novel does a good job evoking its time and place, and the characters are generally likable. The narrative lets their choices be complicated without overly punishing them.

sally_2078's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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

saturnbch's review

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

_tyna's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

4.25

chloelockwood's review

dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

kirsten0929's review

3.0

Set in 1980's communist Poland, a young-love love story with two strong, believable male leads facing ethical dilemmas and making difficult decisions. The writing is a little flowery for me - adjectives and adverbs and similes abound - but that is a reflection of my own personal taste and not a negative reflection of the writing. The setting was interesting, the story compelling and the characters endearing. An enjoyable read.

adrianamassano's review

5.0

Uma história super comovente sobre as escolhas que precisamos fazer em prol do nosso amor próprio!