Swimming the Channel

by Sally Friedman

The scenic artist describes life with her husband, their love for swimming and plans to swim the English channel together, and her difficulties in adjusting to widowhood after his death in a car accident

Genres: Memoir

247 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1996

Reviews

[Amin elahifard · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 1873, Webb was serving as captain of the steamship Emerald when he read an account of the failed attempt by J. B. Johnson to swim the English Channel. He became inspired to try himself, and left his job to begin training, first at Lambeth Baths, then in the cold waters of the Thames, the English Channel and Hollingworth Lake.[4] His early training was backed by Fred Beckwith who was the "Professor" at Lambeth Baths. Beckwith organised a spectacle by showing Webb swimming miles in the River Thames. Webb completed ‘nearly six miles’, but the poor public interest meant that Beckwith lost money. As a result Webb took another manager.
On 12 August 1875, he made his first cross-Channel swimming attempt, but strong winds and poor sea conditions forced him to abandon the swim.[6] On 24 August, he began a second swim by diving in from the Admiralty Pier at Dover. Backed by three escort boats and smeared in porpoise oil, he set off into the ebb tide at a steady breaststroke. Despite stings from jellyfish and strong currents off Cap Gris Nez which prevented him from reaching the shore for five hours, finally, after 21 hours and 45 minutes, he landed near Calais—the first successful cross-channel swim. His zig-zag course across the Channel was over 39 miles (64 km) long.

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since the author is a professional scenery painter, it makes sense that she’s able to describe the natural beauty of the Adirondacks, France, and open-water swimming so vividly, making you feel like you’re not just there with her, but are there with her and paying close attention to the scene with an artist’s eye. But her writing isn’t just visually descriptive - she’s also able to bring you inside her dedication (to swimming) and her grief (for her senselessly lost husband). So far, I’ve never experienced serious loss in life; being able to come so much closer to that experience, through her words, helps me appreciate what I have more deeply, and will help me cope once I inevitably do lose someone.

There’s another layer here, though. I’ve never had a reading experience like this before: the author is a close friend and neighbor of my wife’s family, and has generously invited us to stay in her house while we tend to a sick family member. Her unique home is like an I Spy book full of art, each piece with its own backstory, I’m sure. And I’ve been able to learn some of those backstories, since this home is essentially another character in Swimming the Channel. Sitting by the fire, across from a memorial painted right on the wall, and reading about Sally sitting by this fire 25 years ago, or painting that memorial - it’s been remarkable. Until now, I’ve never lived inside a book quite like this, and I probably never will again.

And the thing is, everywhere you go, every place anyone has ever lived, every brick laid in every building anywhere, is full of just as many stories - maybe not so well illustrated or deeply felt as Sally’s, but just as many nonetheless. You just never get to find out about them, unless they’re yours. It’s as if the phrase “if these walls could talk” came true just this once, and I could step into another life.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel a bit bad giving such a mediocre rating for an otherwise heart-wrenching story of losing your soulmate, but it was just dragged out wayy too long. I thought it might be building up to her picking up her suspended plans to swim the channel in memory of her husband but she never actually did which leaves the title a bit confused?? Guess that is kind of a realistic portrayal of grief in a way though in how it ravages your life in a way that trivialises all surface-level accomplishments, however impressive

[Jessica Feltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sally not only has a story to tell, but the talent to tell it well. Hers is a memoir of staunch determination, devastating tragedy, and the slow healing of deep grief. Beautifully written with keen insights.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Friedman’s dedication to her swimming is amazing to me. I hate being cold and cannot fathom swimming in cold water. But her love of and dedication to her sport affected me so deeply that I felt like I was cheering her on along with her husband Paul. The tragedy of losing Paul was described rather eloquently. Ms. Friedman is a talented writer (loved this description: I would let them weave the tapestry of despair) and I’d welcome a follow-up book.

[Katherine]

I thought it was ok, not fabulous. It was good until the end, which was a little long. It was also bittersweet

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Going to loan to my friend Kess because she just swam San Francisco Bay.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I enjoyed most about this book is her lyrical writing style. She really knows how to paint with words without being artsy. It is poetic yet down to earth.