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Night Swimming by Sharon Kernot review
As in Dorothy Porter’s The Monkey’s Mask, the form is perfectly suited to the story: of a sleep-deprived woman unravelling as she’s haunted by her past
TL;DR
- The novel focuses on January Clare Colson's struggle with insomnia and parasomnias, exacerbated by the death of her best friend, Julie.
- Clare's self-medication and desperation are evident as she seeks prescriptions and deals with unhelpful advice.
- The appearance of an unnamed man from her past reignites Clare's obsession and search for answers.
- The verse novel format is well-suited to the fragmented and intense subject matter.
- Kernot's control over revealing Clare's backstory subtly shifts reader sympathy and questions her reliability.
- The pursuit of the man is motivated by both desire and a search for truth, creating a compelling narrative.