Swim

by Avi Duckor-Jones

Jacob is an open-water, distance swimmer, a free spirit who has spent years travelling the world, working odd jobs between ocean swims. But when he receives a letter from his sick and estranged mother, he must return to his native New Zealand. He spends the summer in the small bay of his adolescence, renovating the summer shack his father had built, as he tries to make sense of the tragedies that took place there years before. It is only when Jacob discovers an island, far out to sea, that he imagines a chance for redemption and reconciliation with his past.
Swim is a rich and visceral novella which wrestles with what it means to become an adult, and how a tragic past can overshadow the present. It offers an enduring ode to the sea by a striking new Antipodean voice.

Winner of the 2018 Viva La Novella Prize

Genres: Fiction, Novella

172 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

Reviews

[Bram · Rating 5 out of 5]

No literary award consistently introduces exciting new talent quite like the Viva La Novella prize, and this year’s winner is no exception. New Zealander Avi Duckor-Jones arrives fully formed in this brilliant story of family fracture, obsession and the limits of human endurance (both physical and emotional). Written with primal energy and deep compassion, Swim absolutely blew me away. I finished it in a single sitting, and haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, when we read in the media about the terrible things that can happen to people, we wonder how they can ever find the strength to go on living. Swim, a slim novella that was joint winner of Seizure’s 2018 Viva La Novella Prize, is a vivid depiction of a man trying to reconcile himself to a cruel past by punishing his body in endurance swimming. He has been around the world— the Gulf of Mexico, the English Channel— but back in coastal New Zealand, his obsession threatens to derail everything.

The author, Avi Duckor-Jones, is a Kiwi high school teacher of English, with an MA in Creative Writing, but his profile at Seizure reveals that the catalyst for this book comes from his time in Hawaii.


Back when the idea for the story was beginning to bloom somewhere in me, I was living in Hawaii and hanging out with all these big wave surfers. They were so driven to keep pursuing that one thing, and any commitment or responsibility seemed to be at odds with their desire to put themselves in this incredibly dangerous, almost spiritual place. There was no room for jobs, or relationships, or societal expectation, there was some stronger force at play, which I found incredibly interesting. The more I travelled and researched, the pattern was the same in all extreme athletes, and to an extent myself.

This disassociation from everyday life is carefully mapped in Swim so that a sense of horror dawns only slowly.

To read the rest of my review please visit https://anzlitlovers.com/2018/10/19/s...

[Izzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book that I have ever read! I love it so much!!! It's motivating, inspiring and compelling. This book inspired me to always push myself a little more. It is truly amazing! I absolutely love the author, Avi Duckor-Jones! He is such a great role model and I would love to meet him. He competed on Survivor New Zealand season 1 and I can't believe how hard he pushed, he was inspiring. Once I saw he wrote a book, I bought it right away. I have read this book several times and enjoyed every chapter. The ending is perfect and I wouldn't change a thing about it. I hope Avi writes another book or a sequel to this one. I recommend this book, it's amazing!

Thanks Avi!!!

[Patsy Bourke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was attracted to this novella by the title and the cover. Swimming is an important source of enjoyment. A recently discovered word has resonance: balneotherapy - treating diseases through water therapy. Unfortunately not living near the ocean and being located in a community with summer only access to an outdoor pool, the opportunities are not always present to immerse in water balminess.

The story commences with a prodigal son returning to his coastal New Zealand home after years of wandering the world having long distance swims funded by working on boats and other casual jobs. Jacob’s mother has written saying she is dying. His return reignites traumatic childhood memories. On his mother’s recommendation his project whilst there is to restore the shack on the beach a not so far distance from the family farm. It was built by his father when Jacob was almost a teenager but has become neglected.

Jacob is not a people person - he uses the ocean to escape his thoughts, the present which has close earlier life friends now as established, responsible adults; and the injurious past, by immersing in the natural marine beauty for hours at a time.

This is a beautifully written of the unravelling first person narrator that well represents why the escapism has been necessary for survival. The planning to swim to a previously unknown island some distance seaward from the renovated shack provides purpose for staying longer. The return to home shores brings understanding of his parents, and the impact that has held over him for most of his life.

[Judy Wollin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting reading. A young man is haunted by his childhood and family dynamics. He swims to escape. It's extreme swimming, and his friends think he's weird and taking unnecessary risks.

It is a poignant reminder that ordinary people can be running from extraordinary life events.

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting read up to a point. I did not really get the character of Jacob and his mum. He seemed very reclusive and yet I think struggling with family events from the past.

[Issy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felt a lot of feelings throughout this

[Robyn Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

It centred around one character, Jake and his issues with family and swimming as an escape mode away from problems. I'm not a fan of books that focus mainly on one character.