Saturday, May 8, 2010

Book Review and Giveaway: THE SWIMMING POOL by Holly LeCraw: The Beauty of Language. Two Winners for this one.

Title: THE SWIMMING POOL
Author: Holly LeCraw
Publisher: Double Day
Format: Completed Book
ISBN: 978-0-385-53193-1
Price: $25.95; Pages: 307

I'm going to deviate somewhat from my usual style of writing a review. I usually will provide the readers with the blurb from the book to get the juices flowing, but this time I'm only going to provide a mere hint...

At the bottom of the closet, among the dust bunnies, was a half-crushed shirt box. It felt light, and he opened it expecting to find nothing or, at most, some old, ill-considered birthday gift. But instead, neatly folded, there was a woman's bathing suit...Yes. He remembered...

Why, you may ask? The Swimming Pool is that kind of a book. It's quite literary in it's sensibilities and is written in language that should be savored and pondered upon. It reminds me of crusty French bread, freshly made, that one eats slowly and with great deliberation, stopping to chew and study the delicious depths of it.

It's a story of love, death, deception, mystery and suspense. These elements weave and intertwine with each other, leaving the reader to contemplate and fill in the voids. The story speaks to you in whispers. It is not a plot driven novel. It plunges the reader into the complex inner world of the characters as they try to sort through their myriad emotions and motivations: A husband and wife having an affair, the lust and longing of a young man; a son, that still haunts him years later, post partum depression, murder, death, possible suicide...revenge.

As a therapist, I was especially interested in the inner workings of the characters. Some readers like a story well tied up and clean at the end, but reality often doesn't work this way. Ms. LeCraw acknowledges this as she takes the reader through a meandering journey through characters who seem to have it all, but are missing a key ingredient: happiness and fulfillment.

The author, Holly LeCraw is a master of utilizing evocative and beautiful language. More than once I re-read passages just to turn the words over in my mind, play with them, consider them; a lovely turn of phrase here and there. As an aspiring author, this book is an excellent example of writing as art; of using language as a live and creative force.

Two winners will be selected. If you would like to learn of that which I speak and secure your own copy, become a follower if you're not already, post a comment and your e-mail or someway to contact you. That is all. Savor this book on a quiet afternoon with something delicious to eat and drink by your side.

The giveaway ends Sat, May 15 2010

Thanks to Judy Jacoby of Doubleday for making the books available.

Toodles!

32 comments:

  1. I'm a follower now and would love to win a copy of this book!

    Kim
    The Misplaced Midwesterner

    ReplyDelete
  2. I'm a new follower (#399!!)

    I've read such good reviews for this book and would love to read it. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.

    meah56 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm a follower darkangelct@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  4. This storyline sounds wonderful and I would love to win and read this novel.

    I follow by google reader.

    cenya2 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I would like to be counted for this giveaway.

    I follow

    mystica123athotmaildotcom

    ReplyDelete
  6. This book sounds great. I would love to be entered to win!

    Thanks!
    Lindsay
    gamommy2two at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you for such a well-written review. It does have my juices flowing! :) I'm a new follower from Book Blogs!

    jewell330 at aim dot com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I really want to read this book! It sounds really good. Please enter me. I follow through google friend connect!

    lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am a follower. Hope I get to relax in the sun with this book.
    caliblue7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. i love how you describe this book as 'speaking to you in whispers' as that exactly catches the subversive, secret feel of this book. wonderful review!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I've been wanting to read this one for a while and I'd love to enter if this is open internationally!

    I'm already a follower. :)

    daisychainbookreviews@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have been wanting to read this book! Please enter me for a chance to win!
    Thanks!
    email bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
    PS I am already a follower:)

    ReplyDelete
  13. I have heard good things about this book. Thanks for your great review to tempt me to want to read it even more. Please enter me.
    Laura
    laura.leahj@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am a follower, and would love to read this book.
    debbie
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Enjoyed the great review. I would love to win a copy of The Swimming Pool. Thank you for the opportunity!

    Smiles,
    Cindy W.

    countrybear52[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I keep seeing this book around and remember someone telling me her book club was reading it. I'm going to have to add this to my TBR list.

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I'm following and would like to read The Swimming Pool this summer by the swimming pool!

    JHS
    Colloquium

    ReplyDelete
  19. Well, you've got me intriqued!! Please enter me for this one.

    I am a follower on gfc

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  20. It sounds Great ! i love to read this book ! enter me in please :)

    - A follower

    uniquas at ymail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!

    skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  22. Am a new follower and i would love to win a copy of this book. Please enter me in your draw

    bookventuresbookclub AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oooh,I am intrigued. I am a follower
    mstlee2000 @ hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello, I'm a new follower. :) Please enter me in the give away. Thank you.
    L_Hogg at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. You have a great review and am sure you will be a great author soon.

    "These elements weave and intertwine with each other, leaving the reader to contemplate and fill in the voids" - What an awesome way to say things. Great!!

    And yes, I am a follower.

    - kavyen
    - readingbetweenpages@yahoo.com
    - http://www.readingbetweenpages@wordpress.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm a follower!

    carina(dot)riffert(dot)schneider(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Please enter me. Am already a follower and would love to win this book

    bookventuresbookclub AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Please enter me! This sounds like a good one.

    Kelsey
    krae991 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I just became a follower and I would love to be included in your giveaway.

    Lisa.2713 at gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I am a follower and would LOVE to win this giveaway! Thanks so much!
    teamjc09 (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  31. I'm a blog follower who would love the chance to own this book.

    wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Google follower! Please count me in!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

I enjoy reading what you have to say. Seriously!