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ihateprozac's review against another edition
5.0
The Night Swim is a dual POV story where two timelines converge around a rape trial in a small seaside town. The story follows a podcaster covering the trial and it feels like an adult version of [b:Sadie|34810320|Sadie|Courtney Summers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556559178l/34810320._SY75_.jpg|56026767] meets Serial!
Be warned: this is a brutal read. This book has so much to say about rape culture, white male privilege, and how the justice system continuously fails young women - especially when they're not from "desirable" backgrounds. There are clear nods here to the Brock Turner case, Eurydice Dixon, and more. It's physically painful to read at times and please be mindful of content warnings going in.
The book had a bit of a slow start and it took me a while to sink equally into both storylines, so give it 100 pages before you make up your mind. From the 100 page point I was hooked and needed to know how these timelines were connected, how the trial would end, and if we would have justice for both women. The Night Swim is valuable both as a seething indictment of rape culture and a mystery/thriller in and of itself.
If you have the ability to, please pick this up as an audiobook! The sound production is fantastic and really brings the podcast to life, and there's a very clear nod to Serial and Sarah Koenig.
CW: rape, sexual assault, victim blaming, suicide
Be warned: this is a brutal read. This book has so much to say about rape culture, white male privilege, and how the justice system continuously fails young women - especially when they're not from "desirable" backgrounds. There are clear nods here to the Brock Turner case, Eurydice Dixon, and more. It's physically painful to read at times and please be mindful of content warnings going in.
The book had a bit of a slow start and it took me a while to sink equally into both storylines, so give it 100 pages before you make up your mind. From the 100 page point I was hooked and needed to know how these timelines were connected, how the trial would end, and if we would have justice for both women. The Night Swim is valuable both as a seething indictment of rape culture and a mystery/thriller in and of itself.
If you have the ability to, please pick this up as an audiobook! The sound production is fantastic and really brings the podcast to life, and there's a very clear nod to Serial and Sarah Koenig.
CW: rape, sexual assault, victim blaming, suicide
cmrobe06's review against another edition
5.0
This book was excellent. The stories were fast paced and I think I gasped out loud a couple of times. I also really liked Rachel and I look forward to reading more in this series and even by this author.
jennrittenhouse's review against another edition
4.0
Had me hooked from the beginning, but boy does this book need a trigger warning!
jamyreadsalot's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
genthebookworm's review against another edition
5.0
When I saw that author Megan Goldin was publishing another book this summer I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. While I try to read my ARCs in some kind of order when I saw the book summary of The Night Swim I couldn’t wait…and I am so glad I didn't!!
After reading a lot of "thrillers" I have been let down way too many times to get super excited. Rarely is there a book in this genre that feels like a completely fresh perspective while also being completely captivating and moving. This book had it all, mystery suspense, dual timelines, and a story pulled right from today's headlines.
Goldin introduces us to the main character Rachel Crall, who is a podcast investigative journalist. As someone who devours way too many true crime podcasts, this was right up my alley. Not only was this the perfect way to tie in the storylines but it was absolutely riveting.
Crall is following a modern-day sexual assault trial when she gets pulled into a crime from the past in this same small town. These interwoven themes and storylines worked perfectly together and the ending was both surprising and satisfying.
I loved that while this was a fast-paced ride there were so many thought-provoking moments and quotes. The moments of "gray" spoke to me so much and are just part of the many reasons why these cases are so complex.
Often books in the mystery/thriller genre are enjoyable escape reading but rarely stick with me long after I have finished them. Goldin's ability to handle this topic with such an insightful manner made this a 5-star read for me. I can't wait wait to share more about this book closer to its publication date and I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy. As always, all opinions are my own.
After reading a lot of "thrillers" I have been let down way too many times to get super excited. Rarely is there a book in this genre that feels like a completely fresh perspective while also being completely captivating and moving. This book had it all, mystery suspense, dual timelines, and a story pulled right from today's headlines.
Goldin introduces us to the main character Rachel Crall, who is a podcast investigative journalist. As someone who devours way too many true crime podcasts, this was right up my alley. Not only was this the perfect way to tie in the storylines but it was absolutely riveting.
Crall is following a modern-day sexual assault trial when she gets pulled into a crime from the past in this same small town. These interwoven themes and storylines worked perfectly together and the ending was both surprising and satisfying.
I loved that while this was a fast-paced ride there were so many thought-provoking moments and quotes. The moments of "gray" spoke to me so much and are just part of the many reasons why these cases are so complex.
Often books in the mystery/thriller genre are enjoyable escape reading but rarely stick with me long after I have finished them. Goldin's ability to handle this topic with such an insightful manner made this a 5-star read for me. I can't wait wait to share more about this book closer to its publication date and I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy. As always, all opinions are my own.
bibliocamera's review against another edition
4.0
I absolutely loved this book. I read it after Denise Mina’s Conviction, which also features a true crime pod cast as part of the plot.
This is a very complicated & serious exploration of memories, trauma & rape. But, it’s also packed in an interesting and enjoyable mystery format. I really appreciated the way it was written with the different voices of Rachel & Hannah’s perspective, interlaced with Rachel’s podcast. I also enjoyed the fact that the energy to propel the plot in this story, came from the past. Actions have consequences.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is I did figure it out before the big reveal. But, I really recommend this book. It was a great balance of painful social issues, character development and a dizzying mystery. The crash of the past catching up to the present. It was very relevant and raw. The characters were believable and acting in understandable ways given their circumstances. It has so much to say about pre-meditation and acts of violence. But, it was also never preachy or manipulative of my emotions. It was fun to read despite the heartbreaking scenes, because hope was always stubbornly clinging around the edges.
I’d read another book about Rachel and her podcast for season 4! Pete has a great lead and I want to know what it is!
This is a very complicated & serious exploration of memories, trauma & rape. But, it’s also packed in an interesting and enjoyable mystery format. I really appreciated the way it was written with the different voices of Rachel & Hannah’s perspective, interlaced with Rachel’s podcast. I also enjoyed the fact that the energy to propel the plot in this story, came from the past. Actions have consequences.
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is I did figure it out before the big reveal. But, I really recommend this book. It was a great balance of painful social issues, character development and a dizzying mystery. The crash of the past catching up to the present. It was very relevant and raw. The characters were believable and acting in understandable ways given their circumstances. It has so much to say about pre-meditation and acts of violence. But, it was also never preachy or manipulative of my emotions. It was fun to read despite the heartbreaking scenes, because hope was always stubbornly clinging around the edges.
I’d read another book about Rachel and her podcast for season 4! Pete has a great lead and I want to know what it is!
kianaps's review against another edition
5.0
After I ordered this book, I immediately panicked... Why did I buy a book about rape?? Feeling sad and upset isn't what I need before bed (when I read).
But to my surprise - I loved this book. It WAS sad and it DID make me upset, but it was also well written and somehow enjoyable to read. There were points in the book that brought me back to various scenarios where I was walking alone or I was drunk or anytime I felt nervous, which wasn't pleasant. But it did help me understand the two stories better and feel invested in finding out what happened to them. I was desperate to keep reading, hoping to find justice.
"When school kids are shot by a random shooter, nobody asks whether the victims should have taken more precautions. Nobody suggests that maybe the victims should have skipped school that day. Nobody ever blames the victims. So why is it that when women are attacked, the onus is on them?" -The Night Swim
If you aren't triggered by a book about rape, I highly recommend it.
But to my surprise - I loved this book. It WAS sad and it DID make me upset, but it was also well written and somehow enjoyable to read. There were points in the book that brought me back to various scenarios where I was walking alone or I was drunk or anytime I felt nervous, which wasn't pleasant. But it did help me understand the two stories better and feel invested in finding out what happened to them. I was desperate to keep reading, hoping to find justice.
"When school kids are shot by a random shooter, nobody asks whether the victims should have taken more precautions. Nobody suggests that maybe the victims should have skipped school that day. Nobody ever blames the victims. So why is it that when women are attacked, the onus is on them?" -The Night Swim
If you aren't triggered by a book about rape, I highly recommend it.
journeytoreader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0