Swimming in the Dark

A major literary debut set in Communist Poland about the forbidden love between two young men on opposite sides of the political divide

LONGLISTED FOR THE POLARI PRIZE 2021A Guardian Book of the Year'The highest talent at work' Sebastian Barry'Beautiful . A masterpiece' AttitudePoland, 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