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shaerikireads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
jesps's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
tdwightdavis's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.0
Beautifully written, even if it feels scattered. Genuinely the most beautiful prose I’ve read all year. I wish the entire book had focused on the swimmers and the pool. It’s a very abrupt shift halfway through when we suddenly fully focus on Alice and her dementia. And for me, the book really stopped being as interesting at that point. It was still the best writing I’ve read all year. It just didn’t have the fun or the intrigue or the momentum of the first half.
3iii8v's review against another edition
4.0
“Above ground, many of us are ungainly and awkward, slowing down with the years... Down below, at the pool, we are restored to old youthful selves. Grey hairs vanish beneath dark blue swim caps. Brows unfurrow, limps disappear.”
I really loved and enjoyed the first half of the book. Vivid and evocative descriptions of the swimmers and the swimming pool with lots of intense details and a nice and flowing narration that made me feel as though I was swimming in the pool with all of these people.
But the second half left me dumbfounded and quite displeased immediately from the first page. I was convinced that there was a misprint in my copy because the narrative changes instantly, the setting changes, the tone changes and only one character stays in the story.
Honestly, if they had been two separate and more in-depth books I would have preferred them. Still a good book, but I'm just not into it.
I really loved and enjoyed the first half of the book. Vivid and evocative descriptions of the swimmers and the swimming pool with lots of intense details and a nice and flowing narration that made me feel as though I was swimming in the pool with all of these people.
But the second half left me dumbfounded and quite displeased immediately from the first page. I was convinced that there was a misprint in my copy because the narrative changes instantly, the setting changes, the tone changes and only one character stays in the story.
Honestly, if they had been two separate and more in-depth books I would have preferred them. Still a good book, but I'm just not into it.
erinjp123's review against another edition
4.0
More of a strong 4.5> I might change this one up the more I think about it. Beautiful novella/short novel (I'm not sure how short its gotta be to be a novella) about routine, identity and dementia. Heavy in parts but overall atmospheric and lovely.
pastelsux's review against another edition
5.0
This book was beautiful. As someone who used to swim competitively and now returns to the pool when I can as an escape from busy college life, the first two chapters were a masterful, poetic telling of that sort of experience, but this book is about much more than swimming. In fact, we don’t hear nearly at all from the other swimmers after the crack. The book flows from an ode to the underground pool to a tale of aging, love, and loss so neatly; it all blends together into one lovely and emotion-provoking read.
fortunata's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great book, but the last half was a difficult read. I put off reading the last 10% solely because I feared what came next, but eventually pushed through my own personal apprehensions.
I had no context going into this book except that others had enjoyed this quick read. If I had known prior that this book was heavily focused on dementia, I might not have read it due to the difficulties my own family has faced with this condition and some of the issues hitting too close to home.
That being said, this book was an immense pleasure to read. Julie Otsuka beautifully details this story of memory loss and the impact it has on all. She created such vivid impressions of her mother throughout the story that made progressing through her health decline difficult, despite knowing the end was inevitable.
Will I read this book again? I'm not sure. It might be too difficult to stir up those memories and feelings again. But I did enjoy it, and perhaps I'll be ready again someday.
I had no context going into this book except that others had enjoyed this quick read. If I had known prior that this book was heavily focused on dementia, I might not have read it due to the difficulties my own family has faced with this condition and some of the issues hitting too close to home.
That being said, this book was an immense pleasure to read. Julie Otsuka beautifully details this story of memory loss and the impact it has on all. She created such vivid impressions of her mother throughout the story that made progressing through her health decline difficult, despite knowing the end was inevitable.
Will I read this book again? I'm not sure. It might be too difficult to stir up those memories and feelings again. But I did enjoy it, and perhaps I'll be ready again someday.
justmegger's review against another edition
3.0
I’m going to call this a low 3 stars. If it was any longer I wouldn’t have finished it. Kinda felt like a bit of a mess and just kinda felt “meh” about the whole thing. Some funny parts but overall - meh