A whimsical, inventive novel that both celebrates life and grieves its loss. The underground pool is frequented by a wide variety of people, from all walks of life. Once in the pool, however, notions of above ground status disappear. The water calms and soothes. Worries disappear. The swimmers, all devout regulars, perform their laps with zeal. The routine and counting of laps gives order and meaning. Among this group of swimmers is Alice. She has spent decades at the pool. One day she discovers a crack at the bottom of her lane. Could the calm and stability the pool offers be coming to an end? For Alice, at least, it appears so. She has dementia. She exits the pool for the last time and is put into care. Japanese American author Julie Otsuka has written a quirky and surreal novel, despite its serious subject matter. The story starts as social satire, describing life at the pool and the discovery of the mysterious crack. When Alice is put into care, the narration lampoons the institutional bureaucracy of modern nursing homes. The novel closes more seriously with Alice’s daughter reflecting on her own shortcomings. An accomplished and entertaining story that celebrates life, employing much linguistic playfulness, but one that is also permeated with grief and loss. The Swimmers, by Julie Otsuka. Published by Fig Tree. $29.99 Review by Chris Saliba Comments are closed.
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