The Swim Club (Anne De Lisle, Random House, $32.95 pb, ISBN 9781863256506, April) ***

The Swim Club will no doubt be promoted as the ‘Australian’ version of The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood but while it shares some similarities it lacks the depth, sophisticated links to broader cultural and historical forces, and the richness of characterisation of the latter. That said, it is an enjoyable read. The plot is one of transformation through friendship and exercise. Five women of differing ages and life stages (although not too diverse—late-20s to early-40s) are drawn together to offer support for a friend who has recently lost her husband in a drowning accident. Set now and located in a hinterland town in northern New South Wales, the story is largely told through the eyes of Charlie, a divorced mother of two who needs to get fit and re-enter the dating game. As their fitness levels improve and the friendship deepens each character grows in confidence, enabling them all to face their individual issues. Very much a women’s feel-good novel, this will make a welcome addition to the Mother’s Day list, especially for those looking for a light and easy read.

Rachel Wilson is an academic and works at the Sun Bookshop Yarraville

This review from Australian Bookseller & Publisher magazine is reproduced by kind permission of Thorpe-Bowker, a division of R R Bowker LLC. © Copyright 2008, Thorpe-Bowker

Tags: anne de lisle