The Swimmers
The Swimmers
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2022
Book Brief
Beta176
Novel • Fiction
California • Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
In The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka, individuals form a community at a local pool, finding solace and routine. The narrative shifts to focus on one individual's journey with dementia, exploring memory loss and family dynamics. The story intricately weaves themes of identity, connection, and loss within the context of everyday life.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Emotional
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
37,527 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka captivates with its lyrical prose and exploration of memory and identity through the lives of pool users. Critics praise its vivid storytelling and emotional depth, though some find its narrative structure somewhat disjointed. Otsuka's nuanced characters evoke empathy, making it a poignant read despite its fragmented form.
Who Should Read The Swimmers?
A reader drawn to Julie Otsuka's The Swimmers would relish introspective narratives exploring memory, identity, and societal bonds. Fans of Yoko Ogawa's The Housekeeper and the Professor and Kazuo Ishiguro's Never Let Me Go will appreciate Otsuka's lyrical prose and nuanced character studies.
37,527 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
176
Novel • Fiction
California • Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
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