Swimmer in the Secret Sea - Softcover

William Kotzwinkle

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1905512503 ISBN 13: 9781905512508

Publisher: Five Leaves Publications, 2009

Synopsis

This novella tells the story of Johnny and Diane Laski, a sculptor and his wife, and their attempt to bring a new life into the world, set against the backdrop of a cold Maine winter deep in the country. In the language of a poet, Kotzwinkle tells the story of the couple's quiet night drive to the hospital, their long labour, and their ultimately unsuccessful breech birth. Unafraid of his subject, Kotzwinkle destroys any sentimental illusions about the 'beauty' of childbirth or the distance of birth from death; he reminds us of how closely the two are intertwined, of the frightening power of the life force, and of the unpredictability and uncanniness of death. And yet, his small book is not without hope.

About this title

Review:

This is a little book with the largest of themes: birth and death. To tell precisely what happens ... would be like paraphrasing a poem. Suffice it to say that Kotzwinkle projects powerful feelings of love and loss. 'Swimmer in the Secret Sea' appeared first in Redbook and was among the O. Henry Prize stories of 1975. It is good to see that it has achieved a life of its own. --New York Times Book Review

'During that time, we managed to agree on only one short novel . . . William Kotzwinkle's Swimmer in the Secret Sea. He thought it was beautifully formed, I thought it was wise and sad.' --Serena Frome - in Ian McEwan's Sweet Tooth

About the Author:

William Kotzwinkle is the author of many acclaimed children's books, including Walter the Farting Dog and ET: The Extra-Terrestrial. He has also written many novels and short story collections. He is a two-time winner of both the National Magazine Award for Fiction and the World Fantasy Award.

About this edition

• Publisher: Five Leaves Publications
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1905512503
• ISBN 13: 9781905512508
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 85