Swimming Upstream, Slowly: A Novel [Paperback]

Melissa Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 12, 2006

After too many vodka tonics at her best friend's baby shower, twenty-seven-year-old Sasha finds herself having a ladies' room epiphany. How quickly life can change, she thinks to herself: one minute she's writing a master's thesis about a TV comedy show for kids–and the next, the program actually gets optioned with her as the star. But Sasha’s awe at the twists of fate proves to be premature. The real shock comes the next day, when her routine visit to the ob-gyn reveals that she’s pregnant—even though she hasn't slept with anyone in more than two years.

To her unbelieving ears comes the doctor’s diagnosis: Sasha’s body has unwittingly hosted a cellular hitchhiker, a medical anomaly known as “lazy sperm.” And now that this plodding genetic contribution has finally fulfilled its destiny, it will be up to Sasha to summon the courage to revisit her past loves even as her future slowly takes shape inside her. Which of her exes will be the father and how will he take the astounding news? And what will the end of the mystery mean to Sasha? The answers are revealed in this wonderfully inventive debut about the bonds that linger between people even after they part ways, and how the future can change in the twitch of a tail.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ambitious Sasha Salter, whose master's thesis was turned into a hit children's television show, isn't ready for kids of her own. So when her gynecologist tells her she's pregnant, Sasha is incredulous; she hasn't had sex in two years. Sasha's next appointment is with unorthodox researcher Dr. Rusmeuth, who hypothesizes that "lazy sperm" can rest in a "very hospitable environment" until ready to fertilize an egg. But whose sperm are so lazy that they hang out for two years? As Sasha searches for the father of her babe-to-be, her best buddies Erika (pregnant via the usual speedy method) and Jordan (who seems too snarky to be straight, but is) lend moral support and light comic relief. The novel's convoluted plot affords Sasha the opportunity to catch up with former boyfriends and the odd one-night-stand, all the while trying to decide whether she wants to abort. Dr. Rusmeuth, meanwhile, abuses the doctor-patient relationship to further his career. Television writer Clark tries gallantly to express the precariousness of her heroine's predicament, but the unflaggingly strong and willful Sasha is never out of control, which strips dramatic potential from the novel as it swims toward a happy conclusion. (Sept.)
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Review

“Melissa Clark starts with an idea so convincingly scary it’s amazing she can play it out in such a funny, moving, and sexy way. But, boy, does she ever.”
—Alan Alda, bestselling author of Never Have Your Dog Stuffed

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Broadway (September 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767925262
• ISBN-13: 978-0767925266
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,364,104 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Melissa Clark is an author, television writer and college instructor. "Swimming Upstream, Slowly" (Broadway Books) was chosen as a Target Breakout Book in 2006. She created the animated television show, "Braceface" which starred the voice of Alicia Silverstone and has written scripts for "Rolie Polie Olie", "Sweet Valley High", among others.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVED THIS BOOK!, October 23, 2006

By 

Ronni Mandell (New York, New York) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Swimming Upstream, Slowly: A Novel (Paperback)

A very fun, smart, sexy and quirky book--a perfect afternoon read. You won't be able to put it down..I can't wait for the next one!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and Sassy, October 15, 2006

By 

Eager Reader (Los Angeles, Ca.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Swimming Upstream, Slowly: A Novel (Paperback)

What a concept! How wonderful to contemplate that this could happen. This book is overflowing with warmth and great humor. Ms. Clark shows a generosity of spirit to her lively, intelligent characters. This is a really fun
read.
Eagereader

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good and thought-provoking read, September 18, 2006

By 

Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Swimming Upstream, Slowly: A Novel (Paperback)

Sasha Salter was only twenty-seven, but she already had her own award-winning children's television show and was about to be featured in a popular women's magazine. She was content with her life. That was until a routine doctor's appointment brought her unbelievable news: she was pregnant, despite the fact that she had not had sex with anyone in over two years.

Sasha soon found out that she was the 'victim' of a rare condition called Lazicum Spermatozoa, the 'lazy sperm.' As much as she enjoyed entertaining and educating children through her work, Sasha was definitely not ready to be a mother. With the help of her friends, Sasha must now delve into her past and figure out which one of her exes was the father and, all the while, determine what to do with her future.

Ms. Clark's make-belief medical anomaly served as a great centerpiece for this funny and warm tale. An unexpected and unplanned pregnancy is probably one of the worst nightmares any single woman could imagine. And to think that one could host a lover's sperm for years and become pregnant with it! I am just glad it was fictitious.

The pace of the book was brisk with believable characters and, often, witty dialogues. The overall plot and the happy ending were fairly predictable, but it still made for a nice relaxing read. Although the plot revolved around a very scary, though unreal, medical condition, the author still achieved in writing a feel-good book which was best for unwinding after a hectic day in the real world.

Armchair Interviews says: Good read with some thought-provoking content.