Overview
What happened the weekend that Aaron Wheeler brought his girlfriend Suzanne home to meet his family for the first time would change things forever.In this remarkable, lyrically written debut novel, Joanna Hershon captures the ever-evolving aftermath of one tragic summer weekend for the Wheeler family in New Hampshire.
Swimming unfolds with uncommon power and a rich, interior narrative force. It is a gripping family story, a heartbreaking coming of age journey, and a suspenseful psychological investigation into the meanings of identity, fidelity, and intimacy.
About the Author:
Joanna Hershon received a Master of Fine Arts in fiction from Columbia University in 1999. She has been a Breadloaf Working Scholar, an Edward Albee Writing Fellow, and a twice produced playwright in New York City. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband. Swimming is her first novel.
Synopsis
What happened the weekend that Aaron Wheeler brought his girlfriend Suzanne home to meet his family for the first time would change things forever.
In this remarkable, lyrically written debut novel, Joanna Hershon captures the ever-evolving aftermath of one tragic summer weekend for the Wheeler family in New Hampshire.
Swimming unfolds with uncommon power and a rich, interior narrative force. It is a gripping family story, a heartbreaking coming of age journey, and a suspenseful psychological investigation into the meanings of identity, fidelity, and intimacy.
About the Author:
Joanna Hershon received a Master of Fine Arts in fiction from Columbia University in 1999. She has been a Breadloaf Working Scholar, an Edward Albee Writing Fellow, and a twice produced playwright in New York City. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband. Swimming is her first novel.
Library Journal
Memory and desire--these two words sum up this immersive novel. Memory of a summer night, a lake, an accident. Desire of Aaron for Suzanne, of Suzanne for Jack. Lila's memories of her brothers and her desire to make sense of the past. Hershon wraps you in her spell, intimately creating fine details--the prickliness of wet skin drying in the dark, the sound of a pale green porcelain teacup breaking, the smell of a dingy hotel room. Like Jane Hamilton or Sue Miller, she has an eye for place, an ear for dialog, and true feeling for character. While the details serve to propel the plot forward, the dialog brings to life characters so real that they breathe behind you. Marred only by two coincidences used to advance the story, this is a work of real feeling, talent, and great beauty. Buy a copy and dive in.--Yvette Olson, City Univ. Lib., Renton, WA Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.