A review by judyward
Swim Back to Me by Ann Packer

3.0

I love the short story form and Ann Packr is a master. Having said that the first and last entries in this book are both novellas that focus on two separate periods in the life of Sasha Horowitz--first as a 14 year old trying to grow up as quickly as possible, and then as a 51 year old woman trying to play peacemaker in her family, especially between her estranged parents. Each of the stories in this collection deals with the complexity of human emotion and human interactions. Packer tackles topics such as overwhelming grief, personal demons that can't stay hidden, possibilities, our instinct to hide our true selves, and hopes for the future.