I've never been to Ireland, but I've always imagined it as a magical land of green hills, men in kilts and quaint little pubs, ready to satisfy my thirst for good ale, my love of tales of lore and a rousing game of darts. And because of this romantic ideal, I have to admit that in The Night Swimmer, novelist Matt Bondurant had me at the first line: "It began with a dart, a pint, and a poem, three elements that seemed to demonstrate the imprecise nature of fate." However, from that point, Bondurant took me on a journey to 'another' Ireland, to an isolated small town frequented by birdwatchers and fishermen and a mysterious island where non-natives are shunned. He held me there with his lyrical prose, his attention to detail and a story filled with mystery and tension.
After winning title and deed to an Irish pub, Fred and Elly Bulkington travel from Vermont to the southern coast of Ireland to begin their new life as the owners of the Nightjar. A chance at a simpler existence and a dream, where Elly can open water swim in the North Atlantic and Fred can work on that novel he's always wanted to write. As Fred tries to get the pub in order for the seasonal traffic that promises to keep the Nightjar afloat, Elly swims the waters around Cape Clear, an island southwest of Baltimore. It is here that the couple become tangled in a web of mystery and intrigue, and begin to drift apart.
Matt Bondurant |
While Elly is drawn to Fastnet and to the history and intrigue of Cape Clear
and its residents, Fred is working the pub in Baltimore and 'working on his
novel', which appears to be random thoughts written on bits of paper. One of my
favorite scenes, a foreshadowing to
their unraveling relationship, is of Elly and Fred swimming naked at night at
Cape Clear. Fred wants to dive into the
cold water from twenty feet up, and as Elly instructs, they will have to make a
huge reach to clear a few feet of rocks below. "We counted down and launched
ourselves into the air, still holding hands at the peak of our flight. We didn't let go until we began to
fall."
Setting is a character itself. Bondurant's attention to detail brings the land to life, alternating between the beautiful and the ominous: a land of curious wildlife and breath-taking scenery, of high winds, menacing storms and perilous ocean swells. You can almost taste the salty air, feel the cold gusts and hear the waves crashing against the rocks.
Amidst the changing relationship between Elly and Fred, the dark and somewhat mystical secrets of Cape Clear and the conflict between the Corrigans and Highgate, The Night Swimmer is powerful, emotional and captivating…even if there are no men in kilts.
I couldn't resist... |
68 comments:
I love your description, "Setting is a character itself." I swear I'm making a sign for my office wall. All too often we jump into a description of setting and get it out of the way so we can start the action. I'm bad about info dumping the setting so we can move along. Love that insight! (and I love the photo...that's going on my wall, too!)
Thanks, Lorca. I wonder which photo you mean?
Well, you've just convinced me to add The Night Swimmer to my to-read list! Great review, Kelly...though I agree about the shame in leaving out men in kilts. :) It sounds like a wonderful read!
Wonderful review. Makes me want to go buy the book right now. I've always wanted to go to Ireland, and just reading the review made me feel as though I was seeing a part of it. The story sounds fascinating. Thanks for sharing your review. :)
Excellent review! I bought the book but haven't had time to read it yet. Once I get my school assignments out of the way, I'm diving in. If you want men in kilts, I think you have to go to Scotland. :)
You can use the kilted man picture above to glance at while you read!
Thanks. The book is beautifully written, you'll enjoy it.
I've been told I can have men in kilts in Scotland, Ireland and Arizona.
That was an amazingly well written review. It makes me want to run out and buy this book. And I sort of recognize that picture...hmmm...wonder where you found something so perfect. ;)
I enjoyed Bondurant's "Driest County" and I am looking forward to this new one. I think I heard it was optioned for a movie?
I'm hooked too. That first line reminded me of the picture dice game where you have to write a story with all the items on the dice (what's the name of that game?)...So, is the "skin condition" an actual disease? Cool concept either way. Great review Kelly.
Nice review, Kellinator ... will get to Matt soon as this semester is over ... I have one of those kilts, by the way ... my wife uses it as a tent during our summer bash at casa stella.
Wonderful review, Kelly. Wow!
Sounds like a great book! Can't wait to check it out!!
See? It's amazing how a picture of men in kilts brings out the kitties. rawr.
Looks like an amazing read, I'll have to check it out. Great review!
"Wettest County"? Yes, I read movie time for that one. Another great book, of course, I'm partial to things written in the Depression era---plug 'Ragtown' here.
I love that game! Don't know about the skin condition, though.
Charlie, a picture of you in the kilt is worth a thousand words. :)
Thanks, DC.
I think you'd enjoy it.
I hate to say this, but I only finish about half the books I start, because I get bored very easily. I wasn't bored with this one. :)
This was an excellent review! I agree with you, setting is a main character and with a character like Ireland how can you go wrong? You constructed a well thought out review that definitely got me interested in the book! Thanks for introducing this work to me!
Thanks, Karen. Hope you enjoy the book.
This sounds really intriguing. Although I have to say as soon as I saw the title that REM song Nightswimming popped into my head and now I can't get it out.
After this review - I may just have to get it...
Thank you so much for sharing this with me and enticing me without ruining the story!
Kelly, I spent two weeks in Ireland last summer. First trip there. And you know what? It really is exactly as you envision, and as Mr. Bondurant describes it. Winning a pub in a seaside southern town in a bet would be a dream come true. I'm checking out this book.
My birth-father is Irish and have always wanted to go especially since my birth-mother was 100% Norwegian.. Viking and Celt blood!
This is book is great! Awesome review now I really want to read the book!
Oh and the book of men in Kilts.. YUMMY! (GRIN) my man wears a utili-kilt I made for him. There is nothing more sexy for me than a man in Kilt.. show me the blue ribbons boys!
What a great book review! I've a fascination with Ireland and now I'm intrigued by this book. Thanks for the photo at the bottom, too.
Love the review. No doubt you convinced me to read the book. I have to know what the mystery is. Anything that can't be explained immediately has my attention.
Thanks, Kelly. I enjoyed the review. The book sounds interesting. All the best..
Glenn
Really lovely review; if your review reflects the lyrical language of the book, I'm sure it will be a joy to read...*shuffles off in search of The Night Swimmer*
Micheal, you'll be traveling to Cape Clear on your next work vacation! I'm not saying anything else...
Nothing wrong with a little REM either...Don't you just hate to read a review that ruins the story? I sure do.
Stephen, I know how research intensive King's X was (I loved it, btw) and I think you'll appreciate the research that was involved in this novel. Yeah, I think I could make an Irish pub work. :)
Thank you, Glenn.
Without giving away anything more about this novel, Elly is the narrator, and there is a reason she is very poetic. :)
Great review, as usual! I am of Irish descent and would love to visit Ireland one day. "The Night Swimmer" sounds like an amazing read~I will definitely check it out! Thanks!
One day, I will visit Ireland. I would love to do the 'backpack thru Europe' thing, but always think of the Werewolves of London. lol
Well you cetainly caught my attention with this review. Words like powerful, emotional and captivating get my attention, draw me in and have me reaching for my Kindle.
A fascinating book from the sounds of it. Thanks for letting us know! :-)
Thanks, Mimi.
I've been reading a lot of crime/suspense lately, so it was a nice change.
Placing at the top of my books to read stack -- and that's quite a long stack (never ending novels of great power) . . . TY for the tip and the terrific review. I want to swim long distance after your review so I can only imagine what the book will do.
There is nothing more sexy to me, either, Kriss. Hope you enjoy the book!
I have a fascination with Ireland, too. Always have, which is one of the reasons I had wanted to read this particular book.
Check out the author's website. He's swam in some pretty intense waters. Braver man than I.
Wow! Wonderful review. You sold me. Think I’ll have to add the book to my TBR now. Hope it’s as well written as your review. ;)
I think Boburant owes you a commission.The book sounds well worth reading, but the review was one of the best I've read in a long time. Well done Kelly. It sounds like his book deserved a fine review and lord knows he got it!
This looks like an amazing read. I love this review, Kelly, it is almost as lyrical as I'm sure the book is.
Great review, you've left me with a tantalising taste of the book itself. I can almost see that little town in my mind...
Thanks, Debra. I think he's got me in the 'well written' department. lol
Maybe I could get him to put on a kilt? lol
Quite a compliment from you! I appreciate that.
The author describes it vividly. I really like that in a book. Give me enough to see it, but let my imagination take over at some point.
Wow! Now I want to read the book! (PS. Love the pic with the guys at the end)!
The book, and the picture, are both pretty amazing. LOL
Wonderful review. If Mr. Bondurant's novel is as well written as this review, I'm going to love it.
Excellent post, Ms. Gamble. I'll put this on the list
Why, thank you, Unknown.
It's list worthy. :)
Your review was very thorough. I like how you hit on several aspects of the book, both obvious and underlying. A taste from different levels.
Thanks, Kellianne!
Great review. I think I'll have to pick this one up in the next couple weeks.
Thanks!
I wanted to pick this up after hearing his reading at MVG. Now I really, really want to read it. Guess I'll be heading to the bookstore this weekend. :) Thanks Kel!
Nice review. You never disappoint!
Thanks, Jen. I appreciate that.
Yes, I heard the reading, and had to get the book. I guess those readings are good for something.
Thanks, Michael. I have it downloaded on my Kindle, which, I have to say, I love my Kindle. :)
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