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A review by bookishrealm
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a powerful book and not what I would have expected out of a mystery/thriller. I was intentional about not reading reviews of this one before I finished it. As many reviewers have said before me, this is a great one to read on audio. CW: rape, sexual assault,
The Night Swim is far from what I was expecting it to be. I've seen this book get a lot of buzz, but I wasn't sure what to expect when I read it. It focuses on true crime podcaster Rachel as she follows a specific case that takes place in Neopolis, NC. While there she begins to receive weird letters that lead her to an older case involving a young girl by the name of Jenny who has mysteriously died. While I enjoyed the mysterious element of the book and thought that the author was able to write a pretty good plot twist, I think that the conversation related to rape culture was definitely what pulled me in.
This book is dark and heavy and I didn't realize the intensity of it until I began to read it. It is an intimate portrait of our understanding, perspective, and thoughts regarding rape culture. While Rachel attempts to remain neutral, it is clear that she is adament in her belief that those who come forward should always be received/believed and that the gender guidelines that society sets forth for women are grossly unfair. Goldin appears to challenge the views of her own character. Not in a way that justifies the sexual assault/rape of women, but in a "what if" the accused is innocent. How does society handle situations in which a person is accused of sexual assault/rape, but turns out to be innocent? At that point their reputation is ruined. However, it's been so difficult for women to have the opportunity to come forward and rightfully share their stories and ask for justice. Goldin reminds readers of how difficult it is for women to come forward to begin with and the brutality that they face when they are forced on the stand to recount the sexual assault/rape. It seems so difficult to find a balance between these two questions. It's almost as though she leaves it open for readers to figure out on their own (I don't actually think there is an answer).
Goldin's ability to communicate to readers in a new and inventive manner drew me in as a reader. I wasn't sure how the two story lines were going to blend together especially with Rachel being so nervous about getting involved with the older case. In joining the two cases together, there is a shock of reality in how brutalizing rape and sexual assualt is on the victims, family, friends, and communities especially those communities that choose to ignore it. And what is so unfortunate is that the uphill battles faced in the first case are reminiscent in the second case even though they are years apart. In some ways they parallel each other.
This isn't an easy read and I hope that no one goes into it lightly; however, it does provide an interesting basis for the conversation around rape culture. The podcast element really makes the book different and places it's readers in the position to make judgements of the characters. To be honest, Goldin could make this into a thriller/mystery series that focuses on different cases. I definitely would be interested in picking them up. Overall, an impactful read. It's definitely worth checking out.
Spoiler
suicideThe Night Swim is far from what I was expecting it to be. I've seen this book get a lot of buzz, but I wasn't sure what to expect when I read it. It focuses on true crime podcaster Rachel as she follows a specific case that takes place in Neopolis, NC. While there she begins to receive weird letters that lead her to an older case involving a young girl by the name of Jenny who has mysteriously died. While I enjoyed the mysterious element of the book and thought that the author was able to write a pretty good plot twist, I think that the conversation related to rape culture was definitely what pulled me in.
This book is dark and heavy and I didn't realize the intensity of it until I began to read it. It is an intimate portrait of our understanding, perspective, and thoughts regarding rape culture. While Rachel attempts to remain neutral, it is clear that she is adament in her belief that those who come forward should always be received/believed and that the gender guidelines that society sets forth for women are grossly unfair. Goldin appears to challenge the views of her own character. Not in a way that justifies the sexual assault/rape of women, but in a "what if" the accused is innocent. How does society handle situations in which a person is accused of sexual assault/rape, but turns out to be innocent? At that point their reputation is ruined. However, it's been so difficult for women to have the opportunity to come forward and rightfully share their stories and ask for justice. Goldin reminds readers of how difficult it is for women to come forward to begin with and the brutality that they face when they are forced on the stand to recount the sexual assault/rape. It seems so difficult to find a balance between these two questions. It's almost as though she leaves it open for readers to figure out on their own (I don't actually think there is an answer).
Goldin's ability to communicate to readers in a new and inventive manner drew me in as a reader. I wasn't sure how the two story lines were going to blend together especially with Rachel being so nervous about getting involved with the older case. In joining the two cases together, there is a shock of reality in how brutalizing rape and sexual assualt is on the victims, family, friends, and communities especially those communities that choose to ignore it. And what is so unfortunate is that the uphill battles faced in the first case are reminiscent in the second case even though they are years apart. In some ways they parallel each other.
This isn't an easy read and I hope that no one goes into it lightly; however, it does provide an interesting basis for the conversation around rape culture. The podcast element really makes the book different and places it's readers in the position to make judgements of the characters. To be honest, Goldin could make this into a thriller/mystery series that focuses on different cases. I definitely would be interested in picking them up. Overall, an impactful read. It's definitely worth checking out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Suicide