This is a reflective, slow-burn novel that uses the backdrop of a Channel crossing to explore one woman’s life in deeply personal detail. As Cordelia Franks swims for over eight hours, her thoughts drift through childhood trauma, controlling family dynamics, school struggles, illness, and recovery. The narrative structure—anchored in a physically grueling present while unraveling an emotionally complex past—makes for a thoughtful and layered read.

Janet Hoggarth does a commendable job weaving in vivid detail about the Channel swim, from jellyfish stings to dodging shipping lanes, grounding Cordelia’s internal journey in physical reality. While the book may take a bit to gain momentum, its emotional payoff is worth the investment.

Side characters like Desi and David bring warmth and heart, balancing heavier themes such as eating disorders and bullying. This isn’t a light read, but it’s ultimately an insightful one—about endurance, both in water and in life.

I read The Swim while visiting the Channel Islands, which felt like the perfect setting for a story about swimming the English Channel. Janet Hoggarth clearly did her homework—the details about the swim felt real and intense, adding a strong sense of authenticity to the story.

What I really enjoyed was the structure: chapters alternating between Cordelia’s attempt to cross the Channel and reflections on her life through the movies that shaped her. It’s such a clever and emotional way to tell a story. It did take me a little while to get into it, though, and some abrupt shifts in perspective pulled me out of the flow at times. I liked the side characters, but not all of them needed their own chapter—some felt a bit info-dumpy or awkwardly timed.

There are a lot of references to current pop culture (TikTok, A Little Life, etc.), which I’m usually hesitant about, but here it really worked. It made Cordelia feel so human—flawed, but also extraordinary in her own messy way.

Overall, a thoughtful and enjoyable read, made even better by the backdrop of sea and sky around me.

Janet Hoggarth’s new novel, The Swim, is a beautiful story of one woman’s attempt at accomplishing something truly extraordinary and unforgettable….swimming across the English Channel. It is truly a great story of a heroic effort by an ordinary woman who is expecting her life to change after this endeavor. The beauty unfolds when she realizes the perseverance and fortitude needed to accomplish this goal have been within her always, she merely needed to believe in herself.

As someone who wants to swim the English Channel one day I was really excited to read this book and genuinely enjoyed that aspect of the story. It was also clear that the author researched what that swim is like and what goes into achieving it. The book was about Cordelia swimming the English Channel, but really it was about a woman reflecting on her life and finding the bravery to create the life she wants. I had a bit of trouble getting into the almost stream of consciousness narrative, but found it a delightful, emotional read overall.

“The Swim” is by Janet Hoggarth. This book follows Cordelia Franks as she swims across the English Channel. As Cordelia has over eight hours of swimming, her mind is free to “wander” as her body goes through the mechanical motions of swimming. Cordelia reflects upon her life - from her upbringing with her controlling mother, to controlling grandparents, a father who tried, her extended family’s secrets (see grandparents), school issues, trying to find herself, becoming ill and getting better - and basically everything in between. I don’t know much about long distance swimming, though I’ve read a few books about swimming the Channel, but I liked the research Ms. Hoggarth did regarding specifics in the crossing (large garbage piles … jellyfish … shipping lanes). I really liked some of the side characters - Desi had my heart from the beginning, as did David. Others have noted trigger warnings for eating disorders and bullying. This book took me a while to get into, but once things started rolling, it was an interesting ride.

I loved this book. The story was so relatable in so many ways.
Cordy was a really likeable character and from the start I just wished something would work out for her. But after failing at most things and not finishing them, she sets off to swim the channel. Her cousin Desi by her side every step of the way. He was a brilliant character who I loved immediately, other members of her family not so much!
I really enjoyed the swim part of the story but the reflections and looking back at the her life brought this book together and really told her story.
This is a book I could easily go back and revisit.

Cordelia has done her best to avoid challenges for most of her life - and now she attempting to swim the English Channel!

I know nothing about long distance and/or open water swimming, but I loved following Cordelia’s progress and her reflections on her life. I was rooting for her the whole way through. Getting to know the other characters in her life was also a treat.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. Having watched last year's movie about Diana Nyad's long distance ocean swim, I was familiar with the challenge such an undertaking posed and was curious to see how the novel would proceed.

The Swim uses the many hours that a Channel swim takes as an opportunity for Cordelia to go back over her life and her many failures/traumas. Raised by a very strict, cold, difficult woman, who in turn was raised by unforgiving, withholding parents, Cordelia's life was not an easy one, and she struggled to find her place. The arrival of an exotic cousin from America, finally gives Cordelia her "person". No matter what happens, Desi and Cordy are there for each other, from early gifts of Chocolate Buttons and makeovers, to movie nights, to his swimming besides her on several legs of her Channel swim.

While swimming, Cordelia replays various movies in her head, in order to remain alert but also distracted from the pain and fatigue. These movies are each special to her and often tied to moments in her life, where she felt less than. We ultimately learn that she was bullied at school, and having an exercise guru mother, this led to bouts of bulimia which at different points in her life were very serious. We also learn that a kindness she did for a fellow outcast student would be the beginning of a decades long on and off love story, that has us hoping for Cordelia to heal herself so she can finally accept David's enduring love.

The Swim asks, what happens when someone who never finished anything, attempts to finish something astounding. Can you ever heal yourself? Is it ever too late to start over and accomplish the things that you never knew you really wanted?
The book has some flaws, abrupt changes in viewpoint that are jarring and oddly timed. And the copy I read had a few paragraphs that repeated in their entirety. But overall, I did enjoy this book.

*trigger warning- eating disorder
Cordelia is undertaking a channel swim. Something she has wanted to do for a while but always having in her head her mother saying she never finishes anything. Whilst spending thirteen hours trying to keep warm and avoiding seaweed and trying not to think about sharks, she reminisces about her life. Her thoughts go from films she has watched and what was associated with them at the time and her upbringing, which had more than a little drama.

It's funny, it's tragic, it's uplifting and thought provoking. A real “life” mix of emotions we all experience. I liked Cordelia and her fighting spirit and could see some of myself in her. Derek is a dream of a character, what a guy! Loved him. The friend we all need being there by our side, cheering us on whatever. A story of determination and being you, not someone else’s perception. A brilliant read.
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An irresistible slice of escapism and a joy to read. Compelling, absorbing and highly entertaining. Fast-moving and fun! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Swim by Janet Hoggarth is an inspiring and heartfelt novel that follows Cordelia Franks, a woman determined to swim the English Channel despite her history of unfinished endeavors. As she takes on this monumental challenge, Cordelia reflects on her past failures and relationships, finding strength and purpose with every stroke. The story beautifully captures themes of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation, making it a compelling read for fans of women's fiction. If you're drawn to tales of personal growth and triumph, this book is worth exploring!