The odd thing about this novel is that I hadn't even heard about it until my son found an online wish list that he thought was mine (because all it had on it was books!). So he bought it for me for Christmas, and me, always willing to read something different, dove in.

The novel follows a family, from their Croatian roots on a small, out of the way island, to some of them emigrating during the Balkan Wars, to the ones left behind who had to find a way to survive. And that's what this story is ultimately about. Survival. The impact of the war on this family, how it changed each one of them and shaped the younger generations who didn't understand. To tell you any more would be to deprive you of the wonderful intricacies with which this story has been interwoven.

The first rule of swimming is to stay afloat, and that's exactly what each of these characters has been taught to do.

An excellent novel that I would highly recommend. ( )

Meh...
Jadranka and Magdalena are sisters tied together in unbreakable bonds. But when Jadranka turns up missing, Magdalena must go find her and in the process uncovers some very interesting family secrets along the way.
I'm not really sure what exactly to categorize this book as. It's supposed to be literary fiction but it has elements of a thriller in it as well which is very confusing.
The story has a very simple premise but I feel that it was very weak execution. The poetic writing style is nice but it also makes for more confusion if you are already confused by this book which indeed I was. This was just all together a very confusing read for me. These elements made it not only confusing but boring as well. I really need to stop allowing myself to be taken in by a pretty cover. 🤦🏼‍♀️
Speaking of which this cover is absolutely stunning! Whoever did the cover art for this book did a tremendously good job! It is very simple and eye-catching. Love it.
And I have to say also that the love between the two sisters is very touching and it ultimately got me through the book. Without it I would have been bored to tears.
I can't really say that I would recommend this one. ( )

Thank you for the ARC. Wonderfully written story. Poetic. Haunting. ( )

The First Rule of Swimming is one of those quiet novels in which there is not much in the way of action; yet, the story never ceases to captivate. The story moves back and forth between Jadranka and Magdalena, with the occasional side excursion into the minds of a few other family members, as they reminisce on their past that brought them to their current point. There is love and loss, betrayal, jealousy, longing, and every other emotion that humans feel built within that past, and it is in how they adjust to and accept it all that gives these characters vibrancy and depth. The fact that their memories include living through a war about which most Americans know very little only adds to the story’s appeal.

What I find the most interesting about The First Rule of Swimming is that while we get to know Magdalena and Jadranka intimately, they still serve as symbols for an entire generation that grew up in a Communist country during the tumultuous Cold War and post-Communist years. Very few Westerners will be able to understand the upheaval such regime changes caused on not just the socio-economic aspect of society. The psychological ramifications of such an existence appear slight when viewed from the relative safety of a democratic, modernized society that never had to deal such changes. Yet, through the two sisters and their extended family and their status as representatives of everyone who grew up in that era and in similar conditions, Westerners get an inside glimmer of such hardships, mental and physical.

The lasting impression one has upon finishing The First Rule of Swimming is one of serenity, not only for its cover but also for the message that resides within its pages. There is a rhythm to the story that reminds you that every family has their ups and downs, just as every family has certain skeletons they would like to remain hidden or bad eggs they would like to forget. Yet, family matters most in any situation, whether it is the family into which you are born or the family you make with others. After the hardships, betrayals, and loss, one finds comfort in the constancy of such a lesson.

The First Rule of Swimming is not the type of book you truly enjoy. It is beautiful in a tragic sense. It opens your eyes to another culture, another lifestyle. For a chance to learn a bit more about war-torn Croatia, I am glad I read it, and it is the type of story that will stay with me, if anything because of its gorgeous cover and simple message hinted at in the title. Yet, for all its simplicity, I do not believe it is not a novel for the masses. It is a bit too subtle and too quiet; I fear most people would find the story rather boring and somewhat predictable. Yet, for those who take the time to savor and reflect, The First Rule of Swimming can be a rewarding experience.

This moving story of a family torn apart by politics, war, and secrets is a wonderful read from start to finish. Though there are parts along the way where is it hard to sympathize with any of the characters, everything comes together to create a clear and realistic picture of a complicated situation. It helps to know a little about the history of the region to set the various backstories in the right time frame; anyone who has been to the region will immediately appreciate the author's ability to paint a picture of life on the Croatian coast. This story is difficult in places, but ultimately redemptive. Highly recommended! ( )