- Paperback: 319 pages
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Reprint edition (26 May 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0446697826
- ISBN-13: 978-0446697828
- Product Dimensions: 13.3 x 2.5 x 20.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 464,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Girl Who Stopped Swimming
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
'Joshilyn Jackson has done it again . . . Nothing is quite as it seems, and Jackson’s skilful unraveling of family secrets and betrayal left me breathless. You must read this book!' (Sara Gruen, author of the NYT bestseller WATER FOR ELEPHANTS )
‘The talented Joshilyn Jackson has concocted one outrageous tale, but she knows how to grab a reader – and not let go.’ (USA Today on BETWEEN, GEORGIA )
'Every now and then a remarkable writer, following in the footsteps of great authors, comes along to re-energize American fiction. So it is with Joshilyn Jackson . . . a singular writer who is in full command of the art of storytelling.'
(Bookpage )‘The talented Joshilyn Jackson has concocted one outrageous tale, but she knows how to grab a reader – and not let go.’ (USA Today on BETWEEN, GEORGIA )
'Jackson . . . has a gift for juggling a zillion movable parts'
(Washington Post on BETWEEN, GEORGIA )'The plot is precise and sweet, and Jackson includes the perfect ingredients: quirky characters, a picturesque setting and ample surprises. Evocative and lovingly crafted.'
(Kirkus Review on BETWEEN, GEORGIA )'Joshilyn Jackson's characterisation and setting are wonderful'
(Jojo Moyes ) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.Publishers Weekly
`What makes this novel shine are its relevations about the dark side of Southern society and Thalia and Laurel's highly honed relationship which shows just how much thicker blood is than water.'
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I had previously read and really very much enjoyed Between, Georgia and Gods In Alabama by Joshilyn Jackson. I particularly recommend Gods In Alabama. I loved it. Get it now. The Girl Who Stopped Swimming is the third Jackson book I've read and again takes as its setting the dark underbelly of Southern USA life.
Central character Laurel Hawthorne is happily married to husband David. She makes quilts and David is a computer programmer. They have an only child named Shelby, and live in a wealthy, gated community. But Laurel can see ghosts and is often haunted by her Uncle Marty, whose death marks a troubling episode in her childhood. One night another ghost appears, it is neighbourhood child Molly, a friend of Shelby, she has just drowned in Laurel's pool.
And so, the Hawthornes are thrown into crisis and Laurel approaches unpredictable sister Thalia for help.
This book is difficult because Thalia is extremely annoying and Laurel is selfish, and both run around behaving extremely immaturely for two grown women. I feel that Jackson ought to have focused more upon Shelby and her cousin Bet whose story was the more interesting and complex one. Additionally I found the immediate events in the days following the death of Molly a bit unrealistic. Laurel doesn't seem disturbed enough, only thinking of her own; the neighbourhood reaction, including that of Molly's parents is slight.
The end reveal surprised me, but, perhaps I'm in the minority here. I am a bit surprised by one star reviews, it's not the best book ever, and certainly not Jackson's best but I did enjoy the book, though I wouldn't recommend it instantly, buy it for someone or read it a second time. 6/10
Central character Laurel Hawthorne is happily married to husband David. She makes quilts and David is a computer programmer. They have an only child named Shelby, and live in a wealthy, gated community. But Laurel can see ghosts and is often haunted by her Uncle Marty, whose death marks a troubling episode in her childhood. One night another ghost appears, it is neighbourhood child Molly, a friend of Shelby, she has just drowned in Laurel's pool.
And so, the Hawthornes are thrown into crisis and Laurel approaches unpredictable sister Thalia for help.
This book is difficult because Thalia is extremely annoying and Laurel is selfish, and both run around behaving extremely immaturely for two grown women. I feel that Jackson ought to have focused more upon Shelby and her cousin Bet whose story was the more interesting and complex one. Additionally I found the immediate events in the days following the death of Molly a bit unrealistic. Laurel doesn't seem disturbed enough, only thinking of her own; the neighbourhood reaction, including that of Molly's parents is slight.
The end reveal surprised me, but, perhaps I'm in the minority here. I am a bit surprised by one star reviews, it's not the best book ever, and certainly not Jackson's best but I did enjoy the book, though I wouldn't recommend it instantly, buy it for someone or read it a second time. 6/10
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I wanted to like this book but the characters are so unlikeable!!! The main protagonist is spoilt and petulant; her daughter is the worst kind of brat; and her husband is a drip. The actress sister has a gay husband - this adds nothing at all to the plot and is frankly unbelievable. The ghost aspect is misleading because it doesn't really go anywhere. The denouement is really stupid and after it all the leading players just go back to their shining lives. I'm not usually hard on books and very rarely feel strong enough to review those I've read but, wowee, this was utter pants. Avoid.
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Being a sucker for a pretty cover i picked this up thinking it would make a good summer read but couldn't have been more wrong. The main character was dull and whiny as well as predictable in everything she said and done and the ending which had possibilities to be a huge climax flopped as it was unbelievable as well as silly. A big let down for me from start to finish.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
An involving mystery.
I don't know if there's a genre of fiction where the main character does detective work but isn't a detective. If there were, this book would be in it. Read more
Published on 12 May 2010 by P. D. Morriss
Someone should make this into a movie
When Laurel Hawthorne is woken in the middle of the night to find a ghost in her bedroom and a girl drowned in her swimming pool her world is turned upside down. Read more
Published on 30 Jun 2008 by Clare Swindlehurst
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