Good writing shows, not tells. Often, great writing reveals with minimal words. Such is the case for Swanson’s The Boy in the Lake. This slim novel is hefty, discussing the perverse nature of memory and the lies and truths we tell to try to understand ourselves. Christian, a therapist, acts as narrator, recounting the moments of his childhood when he lived with his grandmother, explored his sexuality, and betrayed his best friend, Reis. As Christian quietly reveals his mistakes, we learn that one of his patients killed himself. The death of Christian’s grandmother forces him to confront the past. Christian visits home, and his quest for redemption is heartbreaking and genuinely real. At first, I wasn't sure where the novel was headed, but in Christian’s desperation for understanding himself, his clients, and his former best friend, the book became increasingly more engaging. A gentle yet raw book.