Swimming in the Dark

By: Tomasz Jedrowski

Narrated by: Robert Nairne

You were right when you said that people can't always give us what we want from them.

Poland, 1980. Anxious, disillusioned Ludwik Glowacki, soon to graduate university, has been sent along with the rest of his class to an agricultural camp. Here he meets Janusz - and together, they spend a dreamlike summer swimming in secluded lakes, reading forbidden books - and falling in love.

But with summer over, the two are sent back to Warsaw, and to the harsh realities of life under the Party. Exiled from paradise, Ludwik and Janusz must decide how they will survive; and in their different choices, find themselves torn apart.

Swimming in the Dark is an unforgettable debut about youth, love, and loss - and the sacrifices we make to live lives with meaning.

©2018 Tomasz Jedrowski (P)2019 Audible, Ltd

Beautiful story of love and struggle

I loved this book. It just flew at a steady pace, never getting too slow but also not rushing. The love story captivated me, set in a different time and society. Bittersweet, but beautiful nonetheless.

The pain of these stories cuts deep

The pain of these stories cuts deep.

The fact that homophobia was and in some cases is still considered a national pride. That so much effort is taken to stop people living and loving who they really care for. It’s so sad that society got this so wrong.

Beautiful writing

The writing is beautiful and the story is very cutting. I'm not a fan of the silent protagonist I'm so many queer novels though, but that's just personal preference

Beautiful and heartsore

Part love story and part testimony about living under socialists Poland, Swimming in the Dark is a beautiful story about hope, isolation and how the choices of others and things beyond control can shape and change our lives for the better or for the worse. Beautifully written. I’m glad I picked it up.