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Swimming Home
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
30 posts | 35 read | 31 to read
A mysterious woman who suffers from mental illness suddenly appears at a vacation villa where two families are staying and her interactions with them reveal secret details about their past and tensions within their relationships with each other.
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review
squirrelbrain
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

Thank you for sending this to me Katie @youneverarrived - I loved it!

This is only the third book that I‘ve read by this author but now I want to read her whole backlist, particularly the non-fiction. I don‘t think it‘s as weird / trippy as Hot Milk but I certainly didn‘t see the ending coming.

I also loved the setting - Nice and its environs - you could really feel the sultry heat.

Megabooks Stacking! 10mo
BarbaraBB I enjoyed this too 10mo
youneverarrived So glad you liked it! She writes settings so well doesn‘t she? They always shine through. I still haven‘t read it yet but will move it up the tbr. I‘m going to read her first autobiography once I‘ve finished reading my current books. 10mo
62 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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squirrelbrain
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Thank you so much for my lovely gift Katie! @youneverarrived

I‘m so excited to read this book as I loved Hot Milk. I‘ll definitely let you know what I think when I‘ve read it.

I love a proper leather bookmark too. Oh, and the wrapping paper was gorgeous, but Henry took a liking to it too (after I‘d opened the gifts, thank goodness!), so not fit to include in the photo any more! 🤣

quietlycuriouskate Ooh, Waterstones bookmark! 😍 Yes, I'm vegan: yes, I still have a thing for leather bookmarks. What can I say? Nothing. I'll just have to cite Walt Whitman. 😉 13mo
sarahbarnes I loved this one! Hope you enjoy it! 13mo
Caroline2 I loved HotMilk too but I‘ve given this a so-so?! I don‘t even remember reading it?! 😆 🤦‍♀️ 13mo
youneverarrived You‘re welcome 😘 glad both you and Henry liked the wrapping paper 😂 13mo
54 likes4 comments
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ju.ca.no
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Pickpick

Used my trainride home from vienna to finish my current read! I really enjoyed it- it was a bit weird and beautifully written. Nothing much surprising happend but it was still very intriguing to read!
5/5🌟

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ju.ca.no
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Weekend plans! Cat cuddling and starting a new book🥰

Jari-chan Cats + reading = time well spent 13mo
dabbe Hello there, sweetest & fluffiest kitty! 🖤🐾🖤 13mo
53 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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ChaoticMissAdventures
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

A short, one day, lyrical, twisted read. There is a way that Levy uses repeated scenes and sentences that allows you to feel the hot French days play out - that languid heat stroke feeling is so well done as everyone in this story slowly falls apart. Well executed with interesting characters, and a dark undertone throughout.

Cinfhen Great review!! I‘m intrigued!! 2y
28 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ChaoticMissAdventures
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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When Kitty Finch took her hand off the steering wheel and told him she loved him, he no longer knew if she was threatening him or having a conversation.

What a fantastic opening line! I don't remember who or what had me order this book from the library, but I think I am going to like it. Feels very Bonjour Tristesse.

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AnneCecilie
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

Two couples where one of the have a 14 yr old girl are on vacation on southern France, when the find a girl swimming in their pool. One of the wives asks her to stay with them. This book is about what happens afterwards.

sarahbarnes Loved this one! 3y
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AnneCecilie
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Life is only worth living because we hope it will get better and we‘ll all get home safely

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rmaclean4
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

Stunning writing, poetic but with the tension and pacing of a thriller. Highly recommend! I read this novel in once sitting. 5 🌟

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sarahbarnes
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

This book is quirky, with moments of hilarity in the events and the writing. It is also devastating in its depiction of human frailty and flaws. I love the way it‘s written in short sections from different perspectives. When reading the beginning I randomly thought of Robert Coover‘s story The Babysitter. I liked this one more than Hot Milk even, and want to read more of Levy‘s fiction now.

Lindy I liked this one better than Hot Milk too, yet all of her books are brilliant. Well, a couple of her novellas went over my head: 4y
sarahbarnes @Lindy I haven‘t heard of that one! Thanks for the tip - I‘m looking forward to exploring more of her work. 4y
squirrelbrain Oh, I loved Hot Milk - definitely need to try this one! 4y
See All 7 Comments
sarahbarnes @squirrelbrain I did too! I do think you would like this one! 4y
BarbaraBB Great review. I like this one too but not as much as 4y
sarahbarnes @BarbaraBB I hear you. It‘s a close one for sure. 😊 4y
vivastory Keep meaning to read Levy 😬 4y
28 likes1 stack add7 comments
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BekaReid
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy

"I have never got a grip on when the past begins or where it ends, but if cities map the past with statues made from bronze forever frozen in one dignified position, as much as I try to make the past keep still and mind its manners, it moves and murmurs with me through every day."

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KarenUK
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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#3books #ihaventreadbutshould and hope to very soon....
by three authors I have read a couple of books from recently, fallen hard for, and now want to devour their entire backlist!

Cinfhen Once again, those book covers are SO YOU!!! 4y
KarenUK @cinfhen Forever on brand! 😉 4y
OriginalCyn620 👍🏻📚👍🏻 4y
47 likes4 comments
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Caroline2
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Mehso-so

Being on the Man Booker long list, this is a quintessential Booker type book: Beautiful writing, weird ‘literary‘ type characters and a half finished plot filled with unease. A family holiday turns to disaster when a stereotypical ‘manic, dream pixie girl‘ turns up as a crazy fan of the poet father. It‘s all quite predictable but full of suspense. It‘s a weird read. Still not sure if I liked it or not?! #readingeurope2020 #france

TrishB I didn‘t like Hot Milk and this sounds similar. 4y
Librarybelle I like the vibrant blues on the cover! 4y
Caroline2 @TrishB Well I liked Hot Milk but yeah, this is kinda similar but bleaker and left a nasty taste in my mouth! 😐 4y
See All 6 Comments
TrishB Thanks- definitely doesn‘t sound like one to rush and buy! 4y
Caroline2 @Librarybelle it‘s a gorgeous, summery cover! 😎 ☀️ 4y
BarbaraBB Great review. I felt the same about this one and loved 4y
79 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Rissreads
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

#Bookspin @TheAromaofBooks
Deborah Levy‘s writing does not disappoint! ❤️
‘Standing next to Kitty Finch was like being near a cork that had just popped out of a bottle. The first pop when gasses seem to escape and everything is sprinkled for one second with something intoxicating.‘
Standing next to Kitty Finch creates much drama in this book and brings about all the characters secrets and unravelling. So good!

Pageturner1 Pretty cat 🐈 looks like he enjoyed the book too 4y
Rissreads @Pageturner1 Crookshanks loves it when I‘m reading because it‘s cuddles time! ❤️ 4y
JennyM Beautiful fluff ball 🐈 ♥️ 4y
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Cathythoughts Sounds good 👏🏻I see I have it stacked already 4y
CarolynM I enjoyed this one too. She's a master at misdirection, don't you think? 4y
Rissreads @CarolynM I love how you think it‘s one story but it‘s actually another! 4y
CarolynM Yes, exactly! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
Rissreads @TheAromaofBooks I love your enthusiasm! 🤣 4y
TheAromaofBooks I never know what to say on people's posts, so I figure an enthusiastic affirmation has to be the best way to go! 😂 4y
Rissreads @TheAromaofBooks It‘s uplifting, so keep it up! 👍🏼 (edited) 4y
MemoirsForMe 😻😻😻 4y
Centique Hey Nerissa I have something to send you but I have gone and lost your address. I am such an airhead! 🤪 Can you email it to me arblaster at xtra dot co dot nz. Thanks! 4y
Rissreads @Centique of course, but you are very naughty! I look forward to hearing from you x 4y
46 likes2 stack adds14 comments
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Caroline2
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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I‘ve just gone through all my tbr shelves and these are the summery books I‘m hoping to get through this summer. 😎 ☀️ 🏖 Has anyone read any of these??

Mrs_B No, BUT my local coffee shop owner recommended Driving Over Lemons to me in Feb, said it‘s really good. It‘s on my list! 4y
squirrelbrain Driving Over Lemons is really good @Mrs_B - I‘ve just read book 3 in the series. Makes you want to sell up and move to rural Spain! 4y
squirrelbrain I‘ve also read Crawdads, Caroline - it‘s fab! 4y
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Caroline2 @Mrs_B Yes! A friend of mine recommended it and said it‘s really good so I‘m going to make sure I get to it. 👍 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain Ohhhh I didn‘t realise it was part of a series! 😯 Sounds brill. 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain I‘ve heard lots of good things but now I‘m wondering if I should wait a bit so the hyper monster doesn‘t ruin it for me!! 🙄 4y
squirrelbrain Well it‘s not ‘contemporary fiction‘ as such and it‘s definitely got punctuation so just give it a go! 4y
Clare-Dragonfly I read The Whale Rider in college and IIRC loved it, though I think the movie was even better. 4y
Caroline2 @squirrelbrain Will do. 😉 4y
Caroline2 @Clare-Dragonfly Yes! I remember seeing the film years ago and loving it. 👍 4y
CarolynM I enjoyed Swimming Home 4y
95 likes11 comments
review
CarolynM
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

Deborah Levy's books are never obvious, so I was surprised by one of the characters here, but of course she was a distraction from the real substance of the story. As the blurb on the back from The Guardian says, I closed the book "both satisfied and unnerved." #bookspinbonanza book number 9

Leftcoastzen 😻 4y
Centique I have this on my shelf somewhere! Sounds good 😊 4y
CarolynM @Centique I liked it a lot. It's not as ambiguous as her last couple, but by no means certain either. 4y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Awesome Bonanza progress!!! 4y
Rissreads This is on my list too! 4y
64 likes3 stack adds5 comments
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Tripex
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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This novel hit me in the belly that year. Sublime, poignant, beautiful.

11 likes1 stack add
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Kazzie
Pickpick

Strange family drama set in 1994. Deals with mental illness, depression, suicide and love.

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whatrebeccasread
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Pickpick

It's 5 stars second time round for Deborah Levy's "Swimming Home". I really enjoy this style of book, or novella. Short but not all that sweet, it leaves you something to think about.

My full review is up on my blog now ?

79 likes1 stack add
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derr.liz
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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"Couples were always keen to return to the task of trying to destroy their lifelong partners while pretending to have their best interests at heart." ?

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Kboltz
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Mehso-so

Made myself read this, it was shortlisted for the 2012 Man Booker Prize. It‘s probably based after some Shakespearean play or something Freudian but I do not really need to think that hard! 157 pages , I thought it was going to have a surprising ending that made sense but that didn‘t happen for me, reading like this happens😬

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Tamra
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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😵 First chapter is 1.5 pages and what a punch. This story is not going to end well.....for someone.

50 likes1 stack add
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Tamra
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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I‘ll let anything distract me from the horrible textbook I‘m supposed to be reading. 😐

merelybookish 😻😻 7y
Soubhiville Pretty kitty! 7y
Lcsmcat Very regal kitty! 😻👑 7y
See All 10 Comments
rubyslippersreads Lovely! 😻 7y
OrangeMooseReads Pretty kitty! 😻 7y
ladym30 Very pretty face! 7y
Buddys_Momma Beautiful 🐱!!💜 7y
tammysue 😻 7y
CoverToCoverGirl That‘s quite a distraction! ❤️ 7y
batsy What an elegant kitty 👑 7y
76 likes10 comments
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Abailliekaras
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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A refreshing swim this morning. 😎🏊🏼‍♀️ #nonreadingpursuits #uncannyoctober

britt_brooke Ooh, this is beautiful. Enjoy! 7y
Abailliekaras @britt_brooke thanks! It's a rare treat. 😊 7y
Tanisha_A Super nice! Where is this? 7y
Abailliekaras @Tanisha_A Hong Kong. Definitely swimming weather! 7y
50 likes1 stack add4 comments
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jhod
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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#melodiousmusicals #joseph
Joe Jacobs, a poet, has his holiday disturbed by a fanatical reader
Still TBR....
@CrowCAH

ptkpepe98 Fanatical reader? Ha! That IS a work of fiction!😉 7y
CrowCAH Sounds interesting; nice "Joseph" reference! 7y
53 likes1 stack add3 comments
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BrownGirlReading
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Summer reads - Here are a few recommendations... #bibliophileworldmaychallenge #goodbooks #summernovels

12 likes2 comments
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jhod
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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Book delivery from one of my fave independents!

Penny_LiteraryHoarders I really, really liked The Lighthouse!! That was the one I was gunning to win the Man Booker the year it was shortlisted! 8y
jhod Great! I'd never heard if it, (and note its not on Litsy yet) was the bookshop recommendation so am excited to start! 8y
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KatG
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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PeacefulWaters
Swimming Home: A Novel | Deborah Levy
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The young woman was a window waiting to be climbed through. A window that was a little broken anyway.