The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCrawBack-of-the-book blurb: Seven summers ago, Marcella Atkinson fell in love with Cecil McClatchey, a married father of two. But … Cecil’s wife was found murdered—and their lives changed forever. The case was never solved, and Cecil died soon after, an uncharged suspect.
Now divorced and estranged from her only daughter, Marcella lives alone, mired in grief and guilt. Meanwhile, Cecil’s grown son, Jed, returns to the Cape with his sister for the first time in years. One day he … on a hunch, confronts Marcella. When they fall into an affair of their own, their passion temporarily masks the pain of the past, but also leads to crises and revelations they never could have imagined.
She is Too Fond of Books‘ review: Before I tell you what The Swimming Pool is, let me tell you what it is not. It is not a “chick lit beach book”. It is not, despite the intergenerational affair and the unsolved murder, a sensational Jerry Springer story. I’ve written several “meh” book reviews in the past few weeks; The Swimming Pool is not “meh” …
The Swimming Pool is “WOW!” Holly LeCraw’s debut novel is an unusual story, beautifully written. LeCraw is the queen of “showing not telling,” and allows the reader to be the proverbial fly on the wall, observing not only the actions of the characters, but also understanding the emotions that move them.
Many of the characters seem poised on the edge of an unnamed danger; the reader senses this, and LeCraw eloquently refers to that foreshadowing in this snippet of conversation between Marcella and Jed:
“Do you love the ocean?”
“Not love,” he said. “I like looking at it.”
She said, “They say that looking at the ocean is calming because the horizon is clear. It’s something left from the ancient days – we are always on guard for the enemy, but if we have a clear horizon we can be truly peaceful.”
“You can’t see what’s under the water, though,” he said. “You can’t see what’s coming.” He lay down in the water on his back, and stroked away from her, looking up at the sky.
“No,” she said, although he couldn’t hear her. “I suppose not.”
LeCraw’s love of language is evident in the way she plays with words, exploring and creating imagery:
… the shadows under [her] eyes were circles. The globes of her eyes under her closed lids. The roundness of her earlobes, the curve of her chin. The hollow at her throat. She seemed all hollows. Hallowed.
The novel revolves around the themes of love and loss, passion and protection; betrayals, lies, and closely guarded secrets are the ties that bind the Atkinson and McClatchey families.
Each character is well-developed, even minor players, such as Marcella’s daughter Toni and the murdered Betsy Atkinson, are strong enough to cast shadows. LeCraw centers the novel around Marcella and Ned, but uses an omniscient narrator to take us through time and place, following the fissures of every storyline. The Swimming Pool is a solid novel presented in near-poetic prose.
You know I don’t steer you wrong – this is a book you need to read. And then tell a few friends. My Friend Amy also wants you to read The Swimming Pool; her review incorporates lovely water/swimming metaphors appropriate to the novel.
Visit Holly LeCraw‘s website for information on author events. There is a reader’s guide online, and book groups will find a lot to talk about with The Swimming Pool.
FTC disclosure: review copy provided by the publisher
Oh good, I was hoping this would be one to add to my tbr list. Thanks for your review!
This is on my list at the library…and now I’m REALLY looking forward to it! Great review!
BTW, thanks for stopping by my SL Recipe Challenge blog!
Wow, you’ve made me really excited about this book!
Great review, Dawn. I think you definitely hit the nail on the head with what this book is *not*. I interviewed Holly last week for our podcast, and we also decided that The Swimming Pool is decidedly *not* a murder mystery. It’s a book that just needs to be read.
The audio interview I did with Holly will go up tomorrow (Wed. 4/7) at http://www.booksonthenightstand.com if you or your readers are interested.
Ann
Wow, wish I had it! No, just kidding, I do have it! I think I’ll take it with me when we go to Chicago next week- sounds great for the long long plane ride!
I’ve heard a few things in passing about this book, but your review made me sit up and take notice. I love a book that thrills, but one with great writing is even better. This sounds like it has all the elements I love in my books, so I’m going to have to find a copy!
Mary – add it to your list!
jill – I’m looking forward to the next few weeks as more people read THE SWIMMING POOL (so I can talk/email them about it)
Kathy – her writing is so beautiful; the story surrounds you (yes, that may make more sense as you’re reading)
Ann – thanks – I’ll be sure to checkout the audio and share it on Twitter (etc.)
rhapsody – yes; it’s worth breaking your ‘fly with paperbacks’ rule (oh, that’s my rule …)
Steph – we have similar reading profiles; I think you’ll really enjoy it.
Now I can’t wait to read this one!
Between you and Amy, I’m convinced!
You haven’t steered me wrong yet; I’m going to have to pick this up soon!
This book does sound good! I love that you gave it such a stellar review, and although I hadn’t heard much about it, it looks like something I am going to have to try. Thanks and great review!
YAY Dawn, I was hoping I’d read a few raving reviews on this book; thanks so much (I have it-unread(.
Glad to see you liked this one so much! I’m looking forward to reading it.
Anna – it’s SO good!
Julie – Yes, if I hadn’t already read the novel, Amy’s review would have me rushing out to the store
Lisa – Hee-hee; we do have similar reading taste, don’t we!?
zibilee – the writing is so fluid, literary, I think you’ll enjoy it.
diane – get it off the “to be read” stack and onto your lap.
Darlene – Amy and I were reading at the same time, tweeting “wow, beautiful” to each other …
great review, Dawn! I also read things like “everyone will be reading this book this summer at the pool” and while I hope that’s true, I think that sort of statement isn’t exactly true to what the book is about.
Wow! I LOVE the snippet about the ocean. I really want to read this!
sounds like a great book. I would have thought it was a beach read from the cover.
This sounds really good and I was thinking Chick Lit until I kept reading your review!
Amy – yes, I hope to see the book in a lot of hands over the next several months, but it shouldn’t be pigeon-holed as a beach book (in my ever-so-humble opinion)
Allie – isn’t that nice?! The phrasing in the novel is wonderful.
Savvy – I don’t have the book right in front of me, there are 4 (I think?!) sections: The bathing suit, the swimming pool, the smile, and … I can’t remember!
Kathleen – much more literary than chick-lit or even commercial women’s fiction (again, IMHO)
I’m reading it right now and it’s definitely not a chick lit even though that’s what I originally thought it would be. I’m glad it isn’t (not that I have anything against this genre) because the themes in there are just too deep I think.
I am enjoying it a lot, especially Marcella character, she is a lot older than I am (I think) but she reminds me of myself.
I’m glad you posted this, Marie. I’ve seen Holly’s name around a lot these days and this helps complete the picture. I like the way you say “It’s NOT chick lit,” etc., and your appreciation for language. Can’t wait to read it.
I have this book and plan to read it sometime in the next month – I am excited that you had such great things to say about it!
I’m intrigued … and I want to dive right into that cover!
[...] of the reader. But, as usual, there are some very positive reviews out there, including Amy’s and Dawn’s. Be sure to check them out for a difference of [...]
[...] definitely sounds melodramatic. But good, too. Dawn from She is Too Fond of Books says, "The Swimming Pool is 'WOW!' Holly LeCraw’s debut novel is an unusual [...]