Wednesday, July 28, 2021

Book Review - Swimming Home by Mary-Rose MacColl

 

Catherine Quick is a young fifteen-year-old that loves to swim. She arrives in London from her native Australia after her beloved father passes away. She feels connected with her father when she swims. However, living in London with her aunt Louisa, Catherine feels everything she holds dearly to her has been taken away.

Louisa is a surgeon in London and is well known for her fight for equality for women. She has strict opinions and views on the appropriate behavior for her young niece. Louisa wants Catherine to focus on getting her education as she did. However, Catherine is rebellious and she is trying to find a way to fit into her new life. Louisa can't help to worry about Catherine's choices as she deals with her own past trauma.  During a chance meeting with American banker, Manfred Lear Black, Louisa decides to bring Catherine to NY to train to swim the English Channel. Louisa is hesitant at first but, then she tries to listen to her heart.

I thought the novel was a rather boring and drawn-out read. I had a hard time connecting to any of the characters. I didn't care for Louisa as a person because she claims she wants equality for women but, makes choices for other women without their knowledge or consent. However, she was upset when someone did the same thing to her.

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