Swimming in the Dark

Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski is a profound exploration of love, repression, and the search for freedom. Set against the tumultuous backdrop of 1980s Poland, it tells the story of Ludwik, a shy and introspective student who finds himself sent to an agricultural camp along with his university classmates. In the midst of this forced labour, he unexpectedly meets Janusz, a charismatic and confident fellow student. As the days stretch into a golden, dreamlike summer, an intense bond forms between them, leading to a passionate and clandestine romance.

However, with the end of summer, reality descends. Back in Warsaw, Ludwik and Janusz are confronted by the oppressive scrutiny, intolerance, and corruption inherent in life under the communist regime. Their love, once a refuge, becomes a source of tension and danger. The pair must navigate the treacherous waters of political ideology and personal ambition, grappling with their identities and the difficult choices they must make. In their diverging paths, the story poignantly examines the cost of survival and the sacrifices made in the name of love.

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

"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

Swimming in the Dark captures the essence of youth, longing, and the devastating impact of political oppression on personal lives. With exquisite prose and deeply resonant themes, Tomasz Jedrowski has crafted a novel that is both timeless and timely, offering readers a poignant reminder of the universality of love and the enduring human spirit.