NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY NPR • A DUA LIPA BOOK CLUB PICK “Imagine Call Me By Your Name set in Communist Poland and you'll get a sense of Jedrowski's moving debut about a consuming love affair amidst a country being torn apart.” — O, The Oprah Magazine “Captivating both for its shimmering surfaces and its terrifying depths. Tomasz Jedrowski is a remarkable writer.” — Justin Torres, bestselling author of We the Animals Set in early 1980s Poland against the violent decline of Communism, a tender and passionate story of first love between two young men who eventually find themselves on opposite sides of the political divide—a stunningly poetic and heartrending literary debut for fans of André Aciman, Garth Greenwell, and Alan Hollinghurst. When university student Ludwik meets Janusz at a summer agricultural camp, he is fascinated yet wary of this handsome, carefree stranger. But a chance meeting by the river soon becomes an intense, exhilarating, and all-consuming affair. After their camp duties are fulfilled, the pair spend a dreamlike few weeks in the countryside, bonding over an illicit copy of James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room. Inhabiting a beautiful, natural world removed from society and its constraints, Ludwik and Janusz fall deeply in love. But in their repressive Communist and Catholic society, the passion they share is utterly unthinkable. Once they return to Warsaw, the charismatic Janusz quickly rises in the political ranks of the party and is rewarded with a highly coveted government position. Ludwik is drawn toward impulsive acts of protest, unable to ignore rising food prices and the stark economic disparity around them. Their secret love and personal and political differences slowly begin to tear them apart as both men struggle to survive in a regime on the brink of collapse. Shifting from the intoxication of first love to the quiet melancholy of growing up and growing apart, Swimming in the Dark is a potent blend of romance, postwar politics, intrigue, and history. Lyrical and sensual, immersive and intense, Tomasz Jedrowski’s indelible and thought-provoking literary debut explores freedom and love in all its incarnations.
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Tomasz Jedrowski
Author
Swimming in the Dark is a 2020 novel by Polish writer Tomasz Jędrowski. This novel was subject to a "hotly contested" six-way publishing auction, from which Bloomsbury gained rights. After being first published in English by Bloomsbury in February, Robert Sudół's translation was released in Poland later in the month. The writer’s debut novel, it is a gay love story set in the closing years of the Polish People's Republic. It received praise for both its quality of writing and compelling story as well as its tactful treatment of its LGBTQ themes. It received at least one starred review from Publishers Weekly, and was later longlist-nominated for the HWA Debut Crown.
Swimming in the Dark
by Tomasz Jedrowski
Books Like Swimming in the Dark
If you're looking for books similar to Swimming in the Dark, here are some recommendations based on themes, tone, and narrative style.
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Giovanni's Room
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A groundbreaking novel exploring forbidden love between men in mid-20th century Paris. The book delves into themes of sexuality, identity, and societal constraints, much like Swimming in the Dark. Baldwin's powerful narrative examines the emotional complexity of same-sex relationships in a repressive environment. The protagonist struggles with his sexual identity against a backdrop of cultural and personal tension.
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A passionate coming-of-age love story set in Italy between a young man and an older academic. The novel captures the intensity of first love and sexual awakening with lyrical prose. Similar to Swimming in the Dark, it explores a forbidden romantic relationship with deep emotional complexity. The book beautifully portrays the transformative power of first love and its lasting impact.
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A groundbreaking novel about a lesbian relationship in 1950s America. The book explores forbidden love with remarkable psychological depth. Similar to Swimming in the Dark, it examines desire against societal constraints. The narrative is both revolutionary and emotionally complex.
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A novel set in 1980s London that explores gay life during the AIDS crisis and Thatcher era. The book examines social class, sexuality, and political upheaval with elegant prose. Similar to Swimming in the Dark, it captures the tension between personal desire and societal expectations. The protagonist navigates complex personal and political landscapes with remarkable depth.
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A tender novel exploring love, loss, and sexuality between two men. The book captures the complexity of human relationships with lyrical prose. Like Swimming in the Dark, it delves into intimate emotional landscapes. The narrative is both heartbreaking and beautifully rendered.
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A profound exploration of desire, intimacy, and identity set in Bulgaria. The novel examines complex relationships against a backdrop of social and political constraints. Like Swimming in the Dark, it delves into the psychological landscape of queer love in a challenging social environment. The narrative is introspective and emotionally nuanced, revealing the inner struggles of its protagonist.
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A comedic yet poignant novel about a gay writer traveling the world to avoid an ex's wedding. The book explores themes of love, aging, and self-discovery with humor and grace. Like Swimming in the Dark, it examines personal identity and emotional complexity. The narrative is both lighthearted and deeply moving.
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A novel inspired by New York's ball culture in the 1980s, exploring queer identity and chosen family. The book captures the vibrant and challenging world of LGBTQ+ communities during a transformative period. Similar to Swimming in the Dark, it examines love and identity in a complex social landscape. The narrative is both tender and unflinching.
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A groundbreaking novel exploring homosexuality in mid-20th century America. The book follows a young man's sexual awakening and struggles with identity. Similar to Swimming in the Dark, it examines the challenges of queer life in a restrictive society. The narrative is unflinching and psychologically nuanced.
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