Reviews

Let's Go Swimming on Doomsday by Natalie C. Anderson

pkaemmer's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I definitely enjoyed the book. The beginning seemed very cumbersome. The end was worth it thought.

stephberk15's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

___busyreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring sad tense 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

readbyashleyd's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark inspiring sad tense slow-paced

3.0

I wanted so badly to love this book but it just didn’t capture me like I wanted it to. I had high hopes for it, the concept and plot line and diversity all sounded SO good. Plus, look how damn gorgeous the cover is! And I mean, anything involving YA historical fiction is definitely something I want to be into. But what was missing here for me was characters. There were just none that I fell in love and wanted to root for or even a character I loved to hate. None of them made me want to get attached and that’s important for me when reading. I didn’t hate it either but I didn’t love it, I guess the right word to describe ny feelings is indifferent.

deemazztan's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

More like 3.5

jesseonyoutube's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Synopsis:

Abdi is 13 when his older brother is kidnapped at school by a terrorist organization. 3 years later, Abdi is kidnapped and tortured for 3 days in a cell by the CIA, who give Abdi a mission: infiltrate Al-Shaabab and gather information on his brother, who is very much alive and now a terrorist leader.
If Abdi refuses, his entire family will be killed. He accepts the offer to go undercover as a soldier for Al-Shaabab, in hopes of rescuing his brother and securing passports for him and his family to leave Somalia and start a new life: But at what cost?

Review:
This book has the power to be as impactful as The Hate U Give. Critical elements such as suspense, pacing, plot, and character development were all 5 stars, despite occasional cliche dialogue. However, the story's true power lies in its meaningful themes:

~Moral ambiguity: What are you willing to do to save your family? Would you kill? Would you sacrifice yourself?
~ Mental health in Somali youth
~ Survivor guilt and redemption
~ Joy as a means of resistance and survival

I fell in love with the gorgeously written, but heavy one-liners, which contrasted the novel's traumatic events; it seemed impossible that such beautiful writing could contain such horror. Still, I have rarely been so immersed in a story or committed to its outcome. I loved the use of flashbacks to create a complete image of Abdi's past and present. Sometimes flashbacks create a disorganized narrative, but these fit seamlessly and were impecably placed. In fact, the flashbacks help you meet and fall in love with Abdi's vibrant family, to help you understand why he would do such unspeakable things to protect them.


It also created an incredible amount of suspense and tension. Abdi's narration voice is engrossing, even funny at times, despite that he is drowning from PTSD, like so many Somali kids who have grown up in a land ravaged by war. It was important to see life in a home where bombings are common; as Americans, we have had war visited upon our soil, but it has never once been a daily reality for us. The book also illustrates the consequences of war on girls, who always pay the ultimate price for male conquest.



For all of these reasons, I fell in love with this book. Abdi is an incredible character and represents so many misunderstood boys worldwide. My favorite theme was how black characters used spending time together as a way to reclaim their autonomy and heal from trauma - when you live under an oppressive regime, joy is a revolutionary act.

An important note: The author has spent 10 years working with the United Nations and with refugees, but this is still not an Own Voices novel. In an authors note, the author calls out that she writes from a white, western perspective, and recognizes she brings inherent biases into the novel. (The only time I felt she was writing with bias was when she described the practice of wearing Hijab. I disliked that the book harshly represented the practice of wearing hijab; it failed to include important reasons why some muslim women do choose to wear it) I found this note to be incredibly self aware and transparent.

I was highly anticipating this book, but completely unready for how incredibly it changed me. Do not let the heavy subject matter deter you from reading this phenomenal piece of contemporary fiction - this book holds immense joy, hope, and waves of courage. If you only read one book this year, make it this one.

Content warning: kidnapping, sexual assault, brainwashing, terrorism
Representations: Somali, PTSD, physical disabilities, muslim

melbsreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Trigger warnings: terrorism, explosions, death, indoctrination, violence, torture, gun violence, stabbing, drowning, blood, kidnapping, PTSD, rape resulting in pregnancy (in the past).

Oof. This book was utterly compelling but also just A Lot. Essentially, Abdi's brother is kidnapped by a terrorist group in Somalia when Abdi is 13. Three years later, Abdi is essentially forced into joining the same group by the CIA who want to have someone on the inside in an attempt to take down the group's leader. If he refuses, they'll kill his family. If he accepts, his family will be given safe passage to the global north. 

So, uh, yeah. It's a lot. 

I really liked the way the story jumps between Abdi in Somalia, involved in this terrorist group, and Abdi in Kenya, fighting for survival and trying to put his life back together while terrified that he'll be found. It was an extremely effective way of telling the story, and it's very clear that Anderson knows what she's talking about, after her years of working for NGOs. 

I flew through the last third of this because I *had* to know what was happening, and the ending made me teary. All in all, I'm really glad I read this. 

blogginboutbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This is a fascinating novel about child soldiers in Somalia. The characters are sympathetic, interesting, and complex. The plot speeds along at a furious pace, with lots of action and heart-pounding scenes. Anderson's prose is strong, her descriptions vivid, which makes for an atmospheric setting. Timely and moving, LET'S GO SWIMMING ON DOOMSDAY is an exciting, important read that should appeal to even reluctant readers.

aoifeluvs2read's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Perfect! My favourite author ever 

lurdes_oliveira's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Although it was hard for me to get into at first, as soon as the story progressed, I had a hard time putting it down. 
I can't even begin to imagine the horrors these children face when they're forced to live the life of a soldier, including sacrificing their own lives for things they might not always believe in themselves, and being completely cut off from any loved ones that may still remain
The book has a “based off a true story” feeling even though it isn't. Although Abdi is a fictional character, his story is based on things that are all too real, and continue to happen; I appreciate the author for writing this novel and sharing some of the things she's learned with the rest of us.