The Swimmers: A novel

Everyone struggles with forgetfulness. Alice, the main character, also struggles with forgetfulness. She is increasingly losing her memory, to a point where she forgets her own daughter’s name. The one thing holding her together was her happy place. A place she feels safe, calm, and secure in. For Alice, this is the pool. Until it isn’t. A small crack appears in the local pool and it is closed down. Alice loses her grip and her condition worsens. Alice’s husband and daughter decide to put her into a nursing home, in hopes of having whatever remaining time she has left, to be peaceful.

Julie Otsuka wrote the book using multiple viewpoints, confusing readers on who was telling this intriguing story. Though the plot will engage readers, they don’t get to really meet the characters. We are, however, given full perspective on Alice throughout the story. Julie does not provide illustrations, and the book has a complex narrative, which will leave younger readers confused after reading a few pages. An older age group would be able to grasp the book at a higher level; perhaps high school and older. This book was very intriguing and complex, but also a great read.