The Girl Who Stopped Swimming
Joshilyn Jackson
March 2008
320 pages
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For the FTC: I bought it.
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From Publishers Weekly
Jackson matches effortless Southern storytelling with a keen eye for character and heart-stopping circumstances. Laurel, a high-end quilt maker, sees the ghost of a little girl in her bedroom one night. When it leads her to the backyard and a dead girl in the swimming pool, the life Laurel had hoped to build in her gated Florida neighborhood with her video-game designer husband, David, and their tween daughter, Shelby, starts to fall apart. Though the police clear the drowning as accidental, it soon appears that Shelby and her friend Bet may have been involved. Bet, who lives in DeLop, Laurel’s impoverished hometown, was staying over the night of the drowning and plays an increasingly important role as the truth behind the drowning comes to light. Meanwhile, Laurel’s sister, Thalia, whose unconventional ways are anathema to Laurel’s staid existence, comes to stay with the family and helps sort things out. Subplots abound: Laurel thinks (note from softdrink: it’s really Thalia who thinks this) David is having an affair, and Thalia reveals some ugly family secrets involving the death of their uncle. What makes this novel shine are its revelations about the dark side of Southern society and Thalia and Laurel’s finely honed relationship, which shows just how much thicker blood is than water.
I don’t know that I’d call the sister’s relationship “finely honed.” More like a little dysfunctional.
This book falls into that category of quirky Southern fiction. There are a few ghosts floating around (although only one person that can see them). And Thalia seems to exist to add some diversity (and conflict) to the family. I’ve read Jackson in the past and enjoyed her, but I wouldn’t do backflips (not that I can…but I wouldn’t if I could) over this one. If I gave ratings, I’d give it a 3. Good, but not great. Entertaining, but not excellent. Okay, but not outstanding…and yes, I’ll stop now.
I’ve had this one on my shelf for a long time, but still haven’t gotten to it. I’m not really into anything that can be classified as Southern Fiction, so I’m not sure if this will end up working for me.
.-= Amanda´s last blog ..The Painted Veil, by William Somerset Maugham =-.
I agree: entertaining but not excellent, good, but not great, okay but not outstanding, diverting but not edge-of-your-seat (thought I’d try to go you one better)
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..Review of Grave Surprise by Charlaine Harris =-.
I have a copy of this one and do want to read it. I am glad you enjoyed this one even if you didn’t love it. Sometimes these types of books can be satisfying too.
.-= Literary Feline´s last blog ..The Search for the Perfect Gift – Virtual Advent Tour =-.
I have heard a lot about this one, but it doesn’t really appeal to me.
The whole girl drowning in a pool thing reminds me of The Mercy of Thin Air.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Rosie’s Riveters: Mark W & Jaelle =-.
The Guardian did a feature yesterday on the best books of the decade that were neglected and this was one of them. I’d prefer to take a bloggers word for it rather than the publisher whose book was out-of-print.
.-= Claire (Paperback_Reader)´s last blog ..Library Loot: the débuts =-.
I love Jackson’s work, but this is probably my least favorite of all of her books, so I have to agree with your assessment.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Precious =-.
I liked it more than you but looking back on my review now, I’m not nearly as excited about it as I was at the time.
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Review: Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri =-.
I also agree with you on this one. Her first book blew me away, the second was excellent, but this one was just OK. I’m really hoping her next one is back to the way I know she can write.
.-= SuziQoregon´s last blog ..Uglies by Scott Westerfeld =-.
I have this in audio and I loved her earlier books. I’ll start listening with lowered expectations.
.-= Beth F´s last blog ..Weekend Cooking: Caribbean Black Bean Dinner =-.