In Bloom’s “Surfacing” her descriptions and gradual intimacy of her locker room encounters/friendships were written well. She captured how universal small talk in common places can transcend into much more familiar conversations.
The only favorite line “Together we lift from her wheelchair yet another feminist-in-arms whose daily swims transform her crippled legs to arcs of grace.” (43)
That being said, there was an odd transition to “The Japanese take baths—with sprayers, handheld showers, sometimes filling small wooden tubs in fountains to rinse off—before entering the communal pool. Although we did not speak the same language…” (43-44). I had to retread it several times. I did not know she had traveled and experienced this place.
The violent act in the Swedish locker room and her resistance to write about it seemed just as peculiar. I realize it’s the author’s prerogative not dwell on a particular part of her story. It’s assumed when the writer includes something particular more information will come forth, particularly at an arc of the essay. It read benign for such a horrific event. Certainly this event manifested in her and I expected more exploration.
The overall story feels like it’s unbalanced. I’m not sure I really liked this story. I need to think more on it.
