Swimming in the Dark

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Set in early 1980s Poland during the decline of Communism, this tender story explores first love between two young men who find themselves on opposite sides of the political divide. University student Ludwik is drawn to the handsome and carefree Janusz at a summer agricultural camp, but their connection deepens after a chance meeting by the river leads to an intense affair. As they bond over an illicit copy of James Baldwin's Giovanni's Room, they experience a dreamlike few weeks in the countryside, falling deeply in love in a world removed from societal constraints. However, in their repressive Communist and Catholic environment, their passion is unthinkable. Upon returning to Warsaw, Janusz rises quickly in the political ranks, securing a coveted government position, while Ludwik is compelled to protest against rising food prices and economic disparity. Their secret love and differing political beliefs begin to create a rift between them as they navigate a regime on the brink of collapse. Shifting from the exhilaration of first love to the melancholy of growing apart, this debut novel weaves romance, postwar politics, and history into a lyrical exploration of freedom and love in all its forms.