Swimming Under Water by Sheena Joughin
When Ruth and Gray meet as children while their parents play at being adults in a rackety old Bohemian house, an electricity passes between them that neither will ever forget. Their paths soon separate as Gray moves to Paris with his girlfriend, and Ruth finds Liam, a sensible and long-suffering friend with whom she falls in love. But Ruth's eccentric upbringing lingers into adulthood. Affected by her old Aunt Jane's passion for poetry, Ruth embarks on a comprehensive book of Twentieth Century poets' lives. Soon, Ruth's thoughts become haunted by the lives of the poets and dreamers she writes about, as the self-destructive talents of Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost and Philip Larkin begin to influence her in unexpected ways. Until one day, she meets Gray, and their historic chemistry is fired up once again. This vivid story full of loveable characters and big emotions is couched in wryand erotic prose. Joughin's exquisite sense of place and comic eye are prime ingredients in this page-turning novel full of elegance and humanity.
"'A carefully charged novel about insiders, outsiders and the unsayable things and passions in any life..both philosophical and a pleasure.'" Ali Smith, Guardian "'An admirably muted novel combining graceful description with piquant observation ... a fine second novel from a perceptive author.'" TLS "Joughin's favourite rumination is the paradoxical thread between art and life, and she plays it here like a purring cat with string ...as addictively abrasive as a shot of cold vodka, this will leave you both refreshed and gasping for stability." Time Out "'Resonant and intriguing.'" Sunday Times "'Don't miss this, a take on the idea that the course of true love never runs smooth'" Red
Sheena Joughin has twice been the winner of the London Short Story Competition. She lives in west London with her son.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780385606042 |
| ISBN 10 | 0385606044 |
| Title | Swimming Under Water |
| Author | Sheena Joughin |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Transworld Publishers Ltd |
| Year published | 2005-06-01 |
| Number of pages | 256 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |