Great story and one of my all time favourites. First read it about five years ago not long after discovering Chekhov's The Lady with the Dog. Probably two of the finest short stories ever written. Loved the reading by Anne Enright and the discussion that followed. Will be looking for more New Yorker stories. Thx for sharing.
A dozen years ago I saw the Burt Lancaster movie version of the story, and my impression now from the reading of it by Anne Enright is that the film accurately conveyed Cheever's intent. Here there was the lovely clarity of the female Irish accent that gave such an imaginative story a very different impact and effect. Thank you Cheever. Thank you Enright.
I was listening to this from across the room while doing dishes and at 34:51, I literally screamed out, "That's right! Way to go, Anne!" Cheever was an alcoholic. Neddy "swims" through life in a state of denial and when reality finally dawns on him it catches him by surprise and too late. The affinity for self abandon (laissez le bon temps rouler!) is what Neddy's love of storms points to, I think also. I heard Paul Hedderman say once that an alcoholic is willing to pay any consequence tomorrow to have relief today. But every party must end.
"The Swimmer" was one of the first short stories I ever read, and even now I can still hear my college professor explaining what it meant when the protagonist swam home through all the neighbor's pools. Strangely, I remember more about the story by remembering my professor talking about it than I do by actually trying to recall the story itself. He was a good one, the professor. And Cheever too.
Hi Mash-up Maker I know what you mean. Similarly my. My eighth grade teacher introduced Ray Bradbury to us through a reading of Golden Apples of the Sun. I had never heard such an amazing idea, and was a fan from then. And I also fell in love with reading then. Such a great teacher. Still think of him very fondly.
I have now enjoyed the three stories (Cheever, Carver and Barthelme), and I want to thank for them. A pleasant mix of reading a not too long text, and chit-chatting around it.
I've heard Anne read this story and Frank O'Connor's "The Masculine Principle." She is one of the best readers of fiction I've ever heard. She gets inside the story and feels its soul and absorbs its spirit. Her readings are expressive interpretations in themselves. She hits the bull's eye of just the right emotion. Expressing feeling and restraint at the same time. Exceptional. Her insights following the reading are valuable especially to other writers. "First of all," she says of The Swimmer, "it is itself." A high concept story. "Technically it's such an amazing achievement." She is solid. And a deep thinker of another writer's work. Very discriminating. She speaks her mind even when her view differs from Deborah's. Thank you, DT. Thank you, The New Yorker.
My goodness …boring ? It is regarded as one of the most intricate , profound , disturbing , sad , beautiful and exhilarating films of the last 50 years …Lancaster called it is favourite film of all …..I suggest you take a deeper look at its messages about American culture and the disturbing denial in Ned’s life …his alcoholism, depression , so many broken relationships ( including his family who have cling since left his family home ) One thing it is NOT ….is boring
Great story and one of my all time favourites. First read it about five years ago not long after discovering Chekhov's The Lady with the Dog. Probably two of the finest short stories ever written. Loved the reading by Anne Enright and the discussion that followed. Will be looking for more New Yorker stories. Thx for sharing.
I came to this story fresh. Glad I did. Thanks for posting.
My, Anne gives this great story such a wonderful reading! Thanks.
this is excellent! the host, anne enright's voice, her intelligent interpretation, the story itself..much appreciated
An elegant voice for a wonderful story.
Story starts at 3:31
Story ends at 33:09
thanks!
A dozen years ago I saw the Burt Lancaster movie version of the story, and my impression now from the reading of it by Anne Enright is that the film accurately conveyed Cheever's intent. Here there was the lovely clarity of the female Irish accent that gave such an imaginative story a very different impact and effect. Thank you Cheever. Thank you Enright.
I read the story in Italian, with the backdrop of the English text. Magnificent.
''Hey, that's my cart!"
~Neddy
I was listening to this from across the room while doing dishes and at 34:51, I literally screamed out, "That's right! Way to go, Anne!" Cheever was an alcoholic. Neddy "swims" through life in a state of denial and when reality finally dawns on him it catches him by surprise and too late. The affinity for self abandon (laissez le bon temps rouler!) is what Neddy's love of storms points to, I think also. I heard Paul Hedderman say once that an alcoholic is willing to pay any consequence tomorrow to have relief today. But every party must end.
"The Swimmer" was one of the first short stories I ever read, and even now I can still hear my college professor explaining what it meant when the protagonist swam home through all the neighbor's pools. Strangely, I remember more about the story by remembering my professor talking about it than I do by actually trying to recall the story itself. He was a good one, the professor. And Cheever too.
Hi Mash-up Maker I know what you mean. Similarly my. My eighth grade teacher introduced Ray Bradbury to us through a reading of Golden Apples of the Sun. I had never heard such an amazing idea, and was a fan from then. And I also fell in love with reading then. Such a great teacher. Still think of him very fondly.
I have now enjoyed the three stories (Cheever, Carver and Barthelme), and I want to thank for them. A pleasant mix of reading a not too long text, and chit-chatting around it.
I just posted a few more stories by Borges, Barthelme, and Updike.
I've heard Anne read this story and Frank O'Connor's "The Masculine Principle." She is one of the best readers of fiction I've ever heard. She gets inside the story and feels its soul and absorbs its spirit. Her readings are expressive interpretations in themselves. She hits the bull's eye of just the right emotion. Expressing feeling and restraint at the same time. Exceptional. Her insights following the reading are valuable especially to other writers. "First of all," she says of The Swimmer, "it is itself." A high concept story. "Technically it's such an amazing achievement." She is solid. And a deep thinker of another writer's work.
Very discriminating. She speaks her mind even when her view differs from Deborah's. Thank you, DT. Thank you, The New Yorker.
A beautiful reading Anne.
love it
Great story!
The actual reading begins at the 3:30 minute mark of this video.
kiitos
What's the song in the beginning? The jingle? Thanks.
The big question is , in the beginning of the movie , where did he come from ,looking very fresh and ready for his swim ?
Starts at 3:30
This woman seemed to add her own words--a lot of the sentences were edited and not from the original story!
I've noticed that too. could she be reading from a previous edition of The Swimmer?
bookmark:1855
Excellent!
Google: Judi Grace StoryCorps.
3:33
nn
Pretty boring story
You might enjoy the film
My goodness …boring ? It is regarded as one of the most intricate , profound , disturbing , sad , beautiful and exhilarating films of the last 50 years …Lancaster called it is favourite film of all …..I suggest you take a deeper look at its messages about American culture and the disturbing denial in Ned’s life …his alcoholism, depression , so many broken relationships ( including his family who have cling since left his family home ) One thing it is NOT ….is boring