Swimming in Darkness by Lucas Harari, translated by David Homel

Arsenal Pulp Press, 2019

ISBN-13: 9781551527673

Available:  Hardcover, Kindle

Pierre is found by a former professor working as a bartender. When questioned about why he is not back at school, Pierre reveals that he destroyed his thesis research on the Vals Thermal Baths designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, and dropped out of architecture school after some health problems.

After their conversation, Pierre seems to be called back to the baths. Along the way, he meets Christian, an old man who tells him of the legend of “Der Mund des Berges”, or “the mouth of the mountain”. The legend says that every 100 years, the mountain lures a foreigner to the mouth where he is swallowed and never seen again. Pierre doesn’t pay attention to this until he arrives at the baths, and, as he begins to draw out elements of the building in his sketchbook, discovers certain secrets about the baths and mountain as he works. He also isn’t the only one interested in unlocking the secrets of the baths. Pierre meets famed architect Phillipe Valeret at the baths, who seems to be equally obsessed with the architecture of the place, but to what purpose?

The story is compelling and haunting. The characters are fantastic, especially the grumpy old man Testin, who tells Pierre more of the legend than is known. Pierre’s love interest, Ondine, is not seen much, but she believes in Pierre, even after he destroys her apartment in a fit when he finds out Valeret’s motives.

I love the illustration style in this book. It has a somewhat art deco feel to it. Harari accomplishes a lot with use of shadow and a simple color palette.

Contains: nudity

Recommended

Reviewed by Lizzy Walker