Swimming in the Dark

Selected for Dua Lipa's Service95 Book Club 2024 LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2021 A Guardian Book of the Year ‘The highest talent at work’ Sebastian Barry ‘Beautiful … A masterpiece’ Attitude Poland, 1980. Shy, anxious Ludwik has been sent along with the rest of his university class to an agricultural camp. Here he meets Janusz – and together they spend a dreamlike summer falling in love. But with summer over, the two are sent back to Warsaw. Confronted by the scrutiny, intolerance and corruption of life under the Party, Ludwik and Janusz must decide how they will survive; and in their different choices, find themselves torn apart. ‘An affecting and unusual romance’ Observer ‘A new classic’ Evening Standard ‘A beautiful novel, and at its heart an amazing love story’ BBC Radio 4 Open Book, Editor’s Pick ‘Jedrowski is an authentic new international star’ Edmund White ‘A remarkable, beautiful tale, utterly new and entirely credible ... This book radiates sensuality, humour, and human truths’ Literary Review