Swim the Fly is a lot of fun and a refreshÂing change of pace in the YA marÂket. While this is most defÂiÂnitely a ‘boy’s book’, its one that girls and adults can also appreÂciÂate and enjoy. Matt, Coop and Sean’s sumÂmer goal is to finally see a girl naked, but Matt is also deterÂmined to impress a girl called Kelly. NatÂuÂrally, the only way to do this is by volÂunÂteerÂing to swim the 100-yard butÂterÂfly. NeedÂless to say, nothÂing goes accordÂing to plan and ridicuÂlous hilarÂity ensues.
If you’re not a fan of toiÂlet humor, this probÂaÂbly isn’t the book for you. For the most part, I was torn between horÂror and hysÂterÂics. By all accounts, Calame appears to have pretty much nailed the inner workÂings of the adoÂlesÂcent boy — perÂhaps a litÂtle too well (there’s only so much time in a teenage boy’s head I can take). Yes, some parts were a litÂtle over the top, but Swim the Fly, while as gross and cringe-worthy at times as you might imagÂine, has some surÂprisÂingly heart-warming moments as well.
Many thanks to TemÂplar for proÂvidÂing a copy for review.