Swimming Pretty: The Untold Story of Women in Water

Writing instructor and masters synchronized swimmer Valosik takes a deep dive into the sport-cum-spectacle of synchronized swimming. From ancient Rome to the Renaissance, there was rarely a time when humans weren’t fascinated by the scientific and social implications of swimming. The balance of physical prowess, pluck, and precision has long led to debates about whether synchronized swimmers should be considered athletes or entertainers. Valosik explores not only the history of synchronized swimming but also how it parallels women’s history topics, such as safety, sex, suffrage, and show business. Her richly detailed debut is educational, thought-provoking, and engaging. Unfortunately, however, narrator Sarah Welborn’s somewhat nasal, no-frills reading, when paired with the depth of information, yields a stuffy listening experience. Though listeners may be swept up by the significant stories within, they may also wish for a more expressive and dramatic delivery.