The Lido
Author: Libby Page
Published by: Orion Books
Pages: 394
Format: Paperback
My Rating ★★★★
Published by: Orion Books
Pages: 394
Format: Paperback
My Rating ★★★★
Meet Rosemary, 86, and Kate, 26, dreamers, campaigners, outdoor swimmers.
Rosemary swims in her local lido every day. As everything else around her is changing, it reminds her of the past and her beloved husband George.
Kate feels adrift in a city that is too big for her. She’s a local journalist and is determined to make something of her career.
So when the lido is threatened with closure, Kate knows this story could be her chance to shine. But for Rosemary, it could be the end of everything. Together they are determined to make a stand, and to prove that the pool is more than just a place to swim – it is the heart of the community.
Rosemary swims in her local lido every day. As everything else around her is changing, it reminds her of the past and her beloved husband George.
Kate feels adrift in a city that is too big for her. She’s a local journalist and is determined to make something of her career.
So when the lido is threatened with closure, Kate knows this story could be her chance to shine. But for Rosemary, it could be the end of everything. Together they are determined to make a stand, and to prove that the pool is more than just a place to swim – it is the heart of the community.
My thoughts
The Lido is a sweet feel-good debut novel about community, friendship and outdoor swimming. It is a simple story of a simple life and the joy of finding great happiness.
Kate is a cub reporter working for the local paper in Brixton, London. She is responsible for the smallest assignments. She also has severe anxiety that affects her work and daily life.
Kate’s latest assignment is writing about the closing of the local lido where she meets Rosemary, a widow in her eighties. Rosemary has been a fixture at the lido since she was a child, swimming in its pool daily. Not only that, but she met her husband there, and she has healed swimming in that pool since her husband’s death. The pool is a fixture, a grounding, for Rosemary as well. The lido is closing due to development, leaving Rosemary feeling lost.
Kate is instantly charmed by Rosemary and the lido, and she makes the story much bigger than a small, forgettable one. She works with a photographer to piece it together through her interviews with Rosemary, and the community chips in, too, all in hopes of stopping the closure of the pool.
What I loved most about The Lido is the relationship that developed between Kate and Rosemary. Each needs to heal in her own way, and this was possible through their bond. The characters are really likeable, and I especially loved Rosemary. The powerful friendship between Kate and Rosemary feels believable and so important to the story. Throughout the book Page tells the story of the unlikely and life-changing friendship that develops between them. The age difference really didn’t seem to matter which was so refreshing and I enjoyed seeing them connect.
It was fascinating to think about how important a place like the lido can be for all kinds of people within a community, and this was explored with such interesting moments. This lovely book is heart-warming and uplifting. I read it as part of my book club, and we all enjoyed The Lido very much. Such a charming and uplifting short read.
The Lido is a sweet feel-good debut novel about community, friendship and outdoor swimming. It is a simple story of a simple life and the joy of finding great happiness.
Kate is a cub reporter working for the local paper in Brixton, London. She is responsible for the smallest assignments. She also has severe anxiety that affects her work and daily life.
Kate’s latest assignment is writing about the closing of the local lido where she meets Rosemary, a widow in her eighties. Rosemary has been a fixture at the lido since she was a child, swimming in its pool daily. Not only that, but she met her husband there, and she has healed swimming in that pool since her husband’s death. The pool is a fixture, a grounding, for Rosemary as well. The lido is closing due to development, leaving Rosemary feeling lost.
Kate is instantly charmed by Rosemary and the lido, and she makes the story much bigger than a small, forgettable one. She works with a photographer to piece it together through her interviews with Rosemary, and the community chips in, too, all in hopes of stopping the closure of the pool.
What I loved most about The Lido is the relationship that developed between Kate and Rosemary. Each needs to heal in her own way, and this was possible through their bond. The characters are really likeable, and I especially loved Rosemary. The powerful friendship between Kate and Rosemary feels believable and so important to the story. Throughout the book Page tells the story of the unlikely and life-changing friendship that develops between them. The age difference really didn’t seem to matter which was so refreshing and I enjoyed seeing them connect.
It was fascinating to think about how important a place like the lido can be for all kinds of people within a community, and this was explored with such interesting moments. This lovely book is heart-warming and uplifting. I read it as part of my book club, and we all enjoyed The Lido very much. Such a charming and uplifting short read.
Overall reaction: