Violeta’s review of Swimming Home > Likes and Comments
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Ah, the xaplostra novel!
A "semi-intellectual" beach read, yes! I rated this a bit higher, but I will admit to being enamored of her theatrical shadings (the playwright in her, certainly).
That is a lovely photograph. I'm going to live vicariously through it, stuck as I am at home this time of year. ;-)
Oh no, I will have to postpone my reading, Violeta! Was this your first Levy? Her Hot Milk felt a bit like that too:) Though I do enjoy her voice quite a bit.
Nick wrote: "Ah, the xaplostra novel!"
Exactly that!👍⛱️😁
Antigone wrote: "A "semi-intellectual" beach read, yes! I rated this a bit higher, but I will admit to being enamored of her theatrical shadings (the playwright in her, certainly).
That is a lovely photograph. I'..."
You so eloquently explained in your own review how Ms Levy is romancing her readers, that I can’t resist copy pasting it here, Antigone: “She dazzles in a manner beautifully suited to the literate mind, and hard-chargingly tailored toward the cyber-shortened attention span.” Well said!.
That span is even more shortened on a chaise, and whoever chose my copy’s cover photo clearly knew that.
I do share your appreciation for the theatricality of her writing, and let’s not forget that GR’s official word for 3 stars is ‘good.’ Nothing more or less than that. 😊
Maryana wrote: "Oh no, I will have to postpone my reading, Violeta! Was this your first Levy? Her Hot Milk felt a bit like that too:) Though I do enjoy her voice quite a bit."
It wasn’t my first Levy, Maryana, and I did enjoy ‘The Cost of Living’ more, but it was different in form.
I did find this pleasurable enough but I had the impression that she was writing as if following a writing manual’s guidelines. She did it well, I should add, so you don’t have to postpone your reading, especially if you’re taking it with you on vacation. ;-)
I've been tempted to do a cop-out review of some of Levy's novels too, Violeta, because she leaves me a little short of words to say about them. And I even have no words to explain why she affects me like that. But still I've read at least four, this one way back in 2012!
Mmmmmmmm...............this is on my TBR, Violeta. I'm thinking about removing it now. Your picture of the beach gave me hives, reading in the sun - is something I avoid!!! Hahaha - great to see you my friend, it's been a while. Sorry to sound so whingey 😬😬🤣. Nice write up 🎈🎈
Setting can certainly affect our enjoyment and that looks truly lovely!
I tried to read this one, sadly with no beach setting and gave up. I guess I need a beach vacation Violeta.
Fionnuala wrote: "I've been tempted to do a cop-out review of some of Levy's novels too, Violeta, because she leaves me a little short of words to say about them. And I even have no words to explain why she affects ..."
A “cop-out review” - how perfect! :)
You always find the right words, Fionnuala, even when you think you have none, as is obvious from this comment and your own perceptive review of this book. A review that helped me understand what it is about Ms Levy’s writing that leaves me feeling less than satisfied, but has my attention to the end, nevertheless. I spent way more time than needed trying to find an answer, so much so that a cop-out review was the only way I could approach the matter in the end.
It seems to me that the author herself knows the technique well.
That setting looks lovely, Violeta. I live in the tropics, so maybe this is just right for me where I am.
Nice one Violeta! Last book I read of hers left me so speechless I could only write an anagram of its title. At least you got some suntanning done ;-)
I haven't read this one yet, but I'd say Levy's Hot Milk left me feeling similarly, Violeta. I think perhaps her non-fiction is what attracts me the most. That setting brings back fond memories :) :)
Mark wrote: "Mmmmmmmm...............this is on my TBR, Violeta. I'm thinking about removing it now. Your picture of the beach gave me hives, reading in the sun - is something I avoid!!! Hahaha - great to see yo..."
Great to see you too, Mark! ☺️
Glad to see you haven’t removed this from your list on account of my 3 stars (which I won’t get tired of reminding myself is NOT a negative rating according to GR). Your own cover is not as summery as mine, so you’ll be fine reading it indoors, I reckon. 😁
Keri wrote: "Setting can certainly affect our enjoyment and that looks truly lovely!"
Thank you very much for your nice words, Keri! It is as you say, and in this case the setting complemented that of the book.
David wrote: "I tried to read this one, sadly with no beach setting and gave up. I guess I need a beach vacation Violeta."
I wish you get to have it soon, David!
Laysee wrote: "That setting looks lovely, Violeta. I live in the tropics, so maybe this is just right for me where I am."
Yes, but you also work in the tropics, as far as I know, Laysee, so you better wait until your vacation time :))
Ulysse wrote: "Nice one Violeta! Last book I read of hers left me so speechless I could only write an anagram of its title. At least you got some suntanning done ;-)"
Thanks, Ulysse! You have your verse, I have my photos. To each his own ;-) She's at least creatively inspiring us.
Candi wrote: "I haven't read this one yet, but I'd say Levy's Hot Milk left me feeling similarly, Violeta. I think perhaps her non-fiction is what attracts me the most. That setting brings back fond memories :) :)"
Happy to have brought back the memories, Candi! :)
Yes, I agree about her non-fiction; her "Cost of Living" appealed to me more than this one. It would make a nice screenplay though, if it hadn't already been done - twice! (La Piscine & A Bigger Splash)
Violeta wrote: "Yes, but you also work in the tropics, as far as I know, Laysee, so you better wait until your vacation time :))"
This made me chuckle. :-) So true, Violeta. Ah, can't wait for vacation time.
Happy to know you have something nice to look forward to, Laysee! Vacation time is over for most of us in this part of the world.
Fear not, Gaurav! It’s a page turner and pretty short 😉
A good reminder I likely only read on the beach/ at the swimming pool vicariously and still have to try the real thing, Violeta ;). Reading this worked out fine for me exactly because of the vacation timing, Glad you also thought it pleasurable enough to read ♥.
I’m having a deja vu with your comment, Ilse, but I also see that my review has vanished from the desktop edition, so it’s another one of GR’s mysteries that I frankly can’t bother to solve right now. ☺️
Thanks a lot for having the patience to repeat your comment, I should also repeat that I’m happy you found the perfect time for reading this book! 🏖️
I'd like to "swim home" to the Outer Banks right NOW. Good job restoring yourself, closer to shore, Violeta.
xoxo
Julie wrote: "I'd like to "swim home" to the Outer Banks right NOW. Good job restoring yourself, closer to shore, Violeta.
xoxo"
Haha I wish you get there, anyway you can, as soon as possible, Julie! I wish the effects of said restoration could last longer... ;-)
Truth! I go to the beach, every Christmas, to hit the "restart" button, but I feel like the restoration doesn't last much longer than mid-January.
I don't really think of Levy as vacation reading, but hey, why not? Might as well read something interesting.
Julie wrote: "Truth! I go to the beach, every Christmas, to hit the "restart" button, but I feel like the restoration doesn't last much longer than mid-January."
And I am near the beach almost all summer, but the effects barely last past October, if that’s any consolation, Julie :)
Left Coast Justin wrote: "I don't really think of Levy as vacation reading, but hey, why not? Might as well read something interesting."
This particular book easily falls into the category, Justin. And yes, it is interesting, provided you want to get carried away by the theatricality of yet another story of dysfunctional people gathered together in an exotic setting.
I'll keep this in mind if I go to the beach.
I don't know how I missed this review since I deliberately visit your profile to check what you've reviewed, Violeta. Funny, I love Levy, but I can't remember a thing about this one, whereas I still recall visuals and emotions from Hot Milk, The Man Who Saw Everything, and August Blue. Funny what Antigone said about her: I'm guilty of that short attention span....
Linda wrote: "I'll keep this in mind if I go to the beach."
That's a perfectly good idea, Linda! 🏖
Jennifer wrote: "I don't know how I missed this review since I deliberately visit your profile to check what you've reviewed, Violeta. Funny, I love Levy, but I can't remember a thing about this one, whereas I stil..."
Your deliberate profile visits warm my heart, Jennifer! It's copious to keep up with what friends are reading these days on GR ...
You were more generous with your stars with this one but I see that you also employed what Fionnuala calls the cop-out review in her comment above, so I suspect we're on the same wave length here. 😉 I should check Hot Milk, so many friends have praised it and it's encouraging to see you among them, I always value your opinion.
I love that beautiful photo. You have me longing for the beach! I didn't get there this summer, perhaps a day trip later in the fall?
I have only read three of her works, which I have loved: her novels
August Blue and The Man Who Saw Everything and her first memoir Things I Don't Want to Know: On Writing. One of these days I hope to get to The Cost of Living, which you and Candi both spoke of so highly.
Lisa wrote: "I love that beautiful photo. You have me longing for the beach! I didn't get there this summer, perhaps a day trip later in the fall?
I have only read three of her works, which I have loved: her n..."
I wish you get to spend some time on the beach on a calm, autumn day, sometime soon, Lisa. That too has a lot of charm, not to mention peace and quiet... :)
I appreciated The Cost of Living more than this one but, same as the autumnal beach, this book had its special charms and kept my attention to the last page.
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Nick
(last edited Sep 07, 2025 04:15AM)
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Ah, the xaplostra novel!
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A "semi-intellectual" beach read, yes! I rated this a bit higher, but I will admit to being enamored of her theatrical shadings (the playwright in her, certainly). That is a lovely photograph. I'm going to live vicariously through it, stuck as I am at home this time of year. ;-)
Oh no, I will have to postpone my reading, Violeta! Was this your first Levy? Her Hot Milk felt a bit like that too:) Though I do enjoy her voice quite a bit.
Nick wrote: "Ah, the xaplostra novel!"Exactly that!👍⛱️😁
Antigone wrote: "A "semi-intellectual" beach read, yes! I rated this a bit higher, but I will admit to being enamored of her theatrical shadings (the playwright in her, certainly). That is a lovely photograph. I'..."
You so eloquently explained in your own review how Ms Levy is romancing her readers, that I can’t resist copy pasting it here, Antigone: “She dazzles in a manner beautifully suited to the literate mind, and hard-chargingly tailored toward the cyber-shortened attention span.” Well said!.
That span is even more shortened on a chaise, and whoever chose my copy’s cover photo clearly knew that.
I do share your appreciation for the theatricality of her writing, and let’s not forget that GR’s official word for 3 stars is ‘good.’ Nothing more or less than that. 😊
Maryana wrote: "Oh no, I will have to postpone my reading, Violeta! Was this your first Levy? Her Hot Milk felt a bit like that too:) Though I do enjoy her voice quite a bit."It wasn’t my first Levy, Maryana, and I did enjoy ‘The Cost of Living’ more, but it was different in form.
I did find this pleasurable enough but I had the impression that she was writing as if following a writing manual’s guidelines. She did it well, I should add, so you don’t have to postpone your reading, especially if you’re taking it with you on vacation. ;-)
I've been tempted to do a cop-out review of some of Levy's novels too, Violeta, because she leaves me a little short of words to say about them. And I even have no words to explain why she affects me like that. But still I've read at least four, this one way back in 2012!
Mmmmmmmm...............this is on my TBR, Violeta. I'm thinking about removing it now. Your picture of the beach gave me hives, reading in the sun - is something I avoid!!! Hahaha - great to see you my friend, it's been a while. Sorry to sound so whingey 😬😬🤣. Nice write up 🎈🎈
Setting can certainly affect our enjoyment and that looks truly lovely!
I tried to read this one, sadly with no beach setting and gave up. I guess I need a beach vacation Violeta.
Fionnuala wrote: "I've been tempted to do a cop-out review of some of Levy's novels too, Violeta, because she leaves me a little short of words to say about them. And I even have no words to explain why she affects ..."A “cop-out review” - how perfect! :)
You always find the right words, Fionnuala, even when you think you have none, as is obvious from this comment and your own perceptive review of this book. A review that helped me understand what it is about Ms Levy’s writing that leaves me feeling less than satisfied, but has my attention to the end, nevertheless. I spent way more time than needed trying to find an answer, so much so that a cop-out review was the only way I could approach the matter in the end.
It seems to me that the author herself knows the technique well.
That setting looks lovely, Violeta. I live in the tropics, so maybe this is just right for me where I am.
Nice one Violeta! Last book I read of hers left me so speechless I could only write an anagram of its title. At least you got some suntanning done ;-)
I haven't read this one yet, but I'd say Levy's Hot Milk left me feeling similarly, Violeta. I think perhaps her non-fiction is what attracts me the most. That setting brings back fond memories :) :)
Mark wrote: "Mmmmmmmm...............this is on my TBR, Violeta. I'm thinking about removing it now. Your picture of the beach gave me hives, reading in the sun - is something I avoid!!! Hahaha - great to see yo..."Great to see you too, Mark! ☺️
Glad to see you haven’t removed this from your list on account of my 3 stars (which I won’t get tired of reminding myself is NOT a negative rating according to GR). Your own cover is not as summery as mine, so you’ll be fine reading it indoors, I reckon. 😁
Keri wrote: "Setting can certainly affect our enjoyment and that looks truly lovely!"Thank you very much for your nice words, Keri! It is as you say, and in this case the setting complemented that of the book.
David wrote: "I tried to read this one, sadly with no beach setting and gave up. I guess I need a beach vacation Violeta."I wish you get to have it soon, David!
Laysee wrote: "That setting looks lovely, Violeta. I live in the tropics, so maybe this is just right for me where I am."Yes, but you also work in the tropics, as far as I know, Laysee, so you better wait until your vacation time :))
Ulysse wrote: "Nice one Violeta! Last book I read of hers left me so speechless I could only write an anagram of its title. At least you got some suntanning done ;-)"Thanks, Ulysse! You have your verse, I have my photos. To each his own ;-) She's at least creatively inspiring us.
Candi wrote: "I haven't read this one yet, but I'd say Levy's Hot Milk left me feeling similarly, Violeta. I think perhaps her non-fiction is what attracts me the most. That setting brings back fond memories :) :)"Happy to have brought back the memories, Candi! :)
Yes, I agree about her non-fiction; her "Cost of Living" appealed to me more than this one. It would make a nice screenplay though, if it hadn't already been done - twice! (La Piscine & A Bigger Splash)
Violeta wrote: "Yes, but you also work in the tropics, as far as I know, Laysee, so you better wait until your vacation time :))"This made me chuckle. :-) So true, Violeta. Ah, can't wait for vacation time.
Happy to know you have something nice to look forward to, Laysee! Vacation time is over for most of us in this part of the world.
Fear not, Gaurav! It’s a page turner and pretty short 😉
A good reminder I likely only read on the beach/ at the swimming pool vicariously and still have to try the real thing, Violeta ;). Reading this worked out fine for me exactly because of the vacation timing, Glad you also thought it pleasurable enough to read ♥.
I’m having a deja vu with your comment, Ilse, but I also see that my review has vanished from the desktop edition, so it’s another one of GR’s mysteries that I frankly can’t bother to solve right now. ☺️Thanks a lot for having the patience to repeat your comment, I should also repeat that I’m happy you found the perfect time for reading this book! 🏖️
I'd like to "swim home" to the Outer Banks right NOW. Good job restoring yourself, closer to shore, Violeta.xoxo
Julie wrote: "I'd like to "swim home" to the Outer Banks right NOW. Good job restoring yourself, closer to shore, Violeta.xoxo"
Haha I wish you get there, anyway you can, as soon as possible, Julie! I wish the effects of said restoration could last longer... ;-)
Truth! I go to the beach, every Christmas, to hit the "restart" button, but I feel like the restoration doesn't last much longer than mid-January.
I don't really think of Levy as vacation reading, but hey, why not? Might as well read something interesting.
Julie wrote: "Truth! I go to the beach, every Christmas, to hit the "restart" button, but I feel like the restoration doesn't last much longer than mid-January."And I am near the beach almost all summer, but the effects barely last past October, if that’s any consolation, Julie :)
Left Coast Justin wrote: "I don't really think of Levy as vacation reading, but hey, why not? Might as well read something interesting."This particular book easily falls into the category, Justin. And yes, it is interesting, provided you want to get carried away by the theatricality of yet another story of dysfunctional people gathered together in an exotic setting.
I'll keep this in mind if I go to the beach.
I don't know how I missed this review since I deliberately visit your profile to check what you've reviewed, Violeta. Funny, I love Levy, but I can't remember a thing about this one, whereas I still recall visuals and emotions from Hot Milk, The Man Who Saw Everything, and August Blue. Funny what Antigone said about her: I'm guilty of that short attention span....
Linda wrote: "I'll keep this in mind if I go to the beach."That's a perfectly good idea, Linda! 🏖
Jennifer wrote: "I don't know how I missed this review since I deliberately visit your profile to check what you've reviewed, Violeta. Funny, I love Levy, but I can't remember a thing about this one, whereas I stil..."Your deliberate profile visits warm my heart, Jennifer! It's copious to keep up with what friends are reading these days on GR ...
You were more generous with your stars with this one but I see that you also employed what Fionnuala calls the cop-out review in her comment above, so I suspect we're on the same wave length here. 😉 I should check Hot Milk, so many friends have praised it and it's encouraging to see you among them, I always value your opinion.
I love that beautiful photo. You have me longing for the beach! I didn't get there this summer, perhaps a day trip later in the fall?I have only read three of her works, which I have loved: her novels
August Blue and The Man Who Saw Everything and her first memoir Things I Don't Want to Know: On Writing. One of these days I hope to get to The Cost of Living, which you and Candi both spoke of so highly.
Lisa wrote: "I love that beautiful photo. You have me longing for the beach! I didn't get there this summer, perhaps a day trip later in the fall?I have only read three of her works, which I have loved: her n..."
I wish you get to spend some time on the beach on a calm, autumn day, sometime soon, Lisa. That too has a lot of charm, not to mention peace and quiet... :)
I appreciated The Cost of Living more than this one but, same as the autumnal beach, this book had its special charms and kept my attention to the last page.
