Swung

by Ewan Morrison

A suprisingly serious book about sex - swinging to be precise!

Genres: Fiction

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Doogyjim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming on a bit like a Scottish Michel Houellebecq, with sexual liberation the only comfort in our empty consumer driven existences, Morrison's novel is about keeping (it) up with the Joneses.

Swinging is the name of the game, Glasgow's West End is the setting and as an inhabitant I was tickled by the accuracy of his descriptions. Not as filthy as it thinks it is, the book's characters reveal their insecurities through rambling interior monologues that SHOULD have made me like them more. Despite the air of ennui, I didn't think it has the Frenchman's emotional clout....

[Suzanne Portnoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had a lot of press/hype so I was really expecting it to be a modern male's erotic memoir. Instead, I found the usual male angst, far too little and mainly unsatisfying sex. I didn't feel much empathy with the main character or his girlfriend. Their experience of swinging was definately not my own and felt very under researched. Still, it was a quick read and Ewan Morrison is definately a writer to watch out for.

[Svalbard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Premessa: di solito dello scambismo si parla, o si scrive, molto male. Vox populi dice che è una cosa per gente annoiata che ha provato già di tutto e non sa più cosa fare per mettere un po’ di senso nella sua vita. Altri dicono che gli scambisti sono generalmente uomini che costringono le loro donne ad accettare questa trasgressione misurata e prevedibile, sostanzialmente per comprare la possibilità di far sesso con altre donne (se potessero si farebbero delle amanti ma non ne sono capaci). Per altri ancora, esso non è che lo specchio della decadenza e della corruzione della nostra società. Generalmente tutti questi giudizi per partito preso vengono da persone che con lo scambismo non hanno mai avuto niente a che fare e se ne guardano bene, siamo matti? Vedi ad esempio il penosissimo saggio sull’argomento di Roberta Maresci... Non è l’atteggiamento di questo libro, che, peraltro, non parla solo di scambismo. Anzi, lo scambismo non è nemmeno il principale dei suoi temi. La storia, piuttosto, è quella di una giovane coppia di Glasgow, lui scozzese, lei statunitense, che vive un rapporto faticosissimo e problematico, tra difficoltà lavorative (lui viene licenziato con una e-mail, lei mantiene il lavoro ma rischia di passare da vittima a carnefice, come il personaggio femminile di un film di Ken Loach, “In questo mondo libero”), problemi personali (l’impotenza di lui, i conti con un’infanzia travagliata assieme a una madre alcolista lei) e dover fare i conti con un mondo standardizzato e prevedibilissimo, ovviamente molto classista, pieno di mobili Ikea e di case fatte con lo stampo. David e Alice cercano, finché possono, un distacco ironico da ciò che li circonda pensando che questo possa salvare loro l’anima, ma alla fine dovranno capitolare, capire che hanno dei problemi - il principale, non essersi mai guardati dentro con la necessaria sincerità - e trovare i modi di risolverli (e lo scambismo è uno di questi). E’ uno dei romanzi più duri che abbia mai letto; ogni frase, ogni vicenda raccontata è un pugno che ti arriva dritto nello stomaco, al punto che, ogni volta che lo riprendevo in mano, ero combattuto tra la curiosità di sapere come sarebbe andato avanti, e la paura di quello che avrei dovuto leggere. Ma nello stesso tempo, per la pervicacia che i due protagonisti hanno di andare avanti nel loro rapporto, di salvare sé stessi e salvarsi l’un l’altro, è il romanzo più pieno di amore e tenerezza che abbia mai letto. Scritto benissimo, tra l’altro, e direi anche tradotto con molta efficacia. Che lo legga chiunque pensi di avere un rapporto in crisi, o anche no, senza farsi spaventare dal titolo. Peraltro, anche se le pagine di sesso sono parecchie, non è affatto un romanzo erotico.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book during the Edinburgh book festival and fell in love with the cover (which is different to the one shown above by the way), expecting some kind of 'easy read'. I thought it would be a novel about a Scottish/American couple living in Glasgow, trying to add some spice to their daily (night) routine but even though you can follow (impotent) David and (sophisticated) Alice along the Scottish swinger scene and dubious sexual encounters, the book mainly deals with love and all its nuances.
I liked the story but had troubles keeping up with Alice's moods and her drive for self-destruction. I didn't particularly like the characters but felt drawn to Morrison's way to describe the character's helplessness while trying to fix their broken relationship.

[Jane Varley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite disappointing read took a bit to get into then it was the end I picked this book up in my local charity shop I found it to be a book crossing .com so I’ve left it in a caravan in Lincolnshire as the internet connection wasn’t great I struggled to release it but someone will find it and release it again

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an average book, not terrible but not exceptional either. Some sex, but a lot more amateur psychology. This is the second book I've read by this author, and I can't say I'll be in a hurry to read any more.

[martyn jukes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Naughty but just 'nice'

Considering the content i found this novel quite plain in its writing style and tempo. Quite disappointing really. Three stars

[Paperback Polly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swung by Ewan Morrison is a bold and interesting novel about a couple, Alice and Dan, who try swinging to spice up their dull relationship. Morrison explores themes of intimacy and identity with a mix of honesty and dark humor. The characters are well-crafted, and their emotional challenges are shown with both care and detachment. The novel's daring topic is handled with a good balance of sensitivity and straightforwardness, making Swung a thought-provoking read about the complexities of relationships.

[Ian Mapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a serious book but still maintains an element of platfulness and a nice sense of humour running throughout.

Its a simple story about David and Alice - a middle class couple in Glasgow. They have just moved into a new west end flat but all is not well.

We know that David is impotent, losing his job, divorced and away from a child and the quote from revolutionary road at the start of the book shows that they are living a lie.

Both Alice and David are failed artistic types - struggling along with corporate life until a merger leaves them in limbo. They get their kicks initially through commenting / spying on neighbours and then in a bid to cure david's impotence - into swinging.

For a book about swinging - up to the the huge OTT orgy at the end of the book - there is surprisingly little sex in it.

When there is sex - the attitudes of alice and david dont ring at all true and davids fliration with homosexuality does not seem at all likely - either from David's or Alice's viewpoint.

A good book and an author to watch.

[Tez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glasgow's swinging set takes centre stage in Ewan Morrison's literary relationship novel.

Scottish David works in HR, and looks near unemployment. His American lover Alice is struggling with her art, and the bitchy work environment that's crippling her TV series proposal. David is impotent, and though Alice seems okay with it, he knows they both need more. Alice starts investigating swingers in Glasgow for work, and she brings David along.

This is no genre fiction. It's about sex, yet it's not all glorious. It's about a relationship, yet it's not all romance. And instead of a HEA, we're left with a vague ending that lets the reader make up for themselves what happens next. These are all things that make for a great book, and here I was thinking that "literature" (rather than "genre") wasn't for me. But best of all was that I believed it, that this situation and these characters are very real. This novel is truthful, and even if you can't relate to the sexual aspects, David and Alice's thoughts and feelings will probably ring familiar.

[Alan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swung takes you out over the edge. Hang on.

[Gary Bellfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for the British!!!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. Very smart and honest.

[Ray Melville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rather a deep book of two damaged people in a relationship with a myriad of hang ups.

[Johanna Leggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Less is more. Pared back writing can work just as effectively as euphemism and laden adjecticves.