Zow Ormazabal

As an ex (and sometimes current) swimmer, I loved the part of the book about competitions, training, and small insider details like having a friend help you to put on a competition suit. On the other hand, the protagonist's name bothered me all through the book. Seriously, what kind of Chinese speaking mother would name their child 人魚? Sounds like one of those clueless tattoos that people get in non-Chinese speaking countries. Secondly, Ren's personality was quite unbearable. She was incredibly selfish, ungrateful. and rude. If the book wasn't about swimming, and didn't have such an amazing supporting character like Cathy (sweetest girl ever), I would have left it unfinished.
Overall, great read, except for the brat of the main character.

Me agarró desde los primeros capítulos. El ritmo acelerado hacía que me leyera ansiosamente, comiéndome las uñas por miedo de que le pasara algo malo a la protagonista. Los personajes son cautivantes y es inevitable empatizar con ellos. Me encantaron los detalles históricos e idiomáticos de las escenas en ruso. Aunque debo admitir que uno de mis aspectos favoritos fue el Chile alternativo-perro-faldero-de-China y las descripciones de su dictador y su burocracia asociada.

Reading this book felt like a receiving a warm hug from a million kilometres away. It truly lightened my days by allowing me to escape to the lands of Haven, holding the hands of its amazing characters, and joining them on their quests. I'll be eagerly waiting for the English version, so I can share it with my wife and friends!

The start of the book and the depictions of a swimmer's routine and train of thought is absolutely sublime. It's such a pity that the book loses its rhythm and power during the second half.

I listen to the Deep Life podcast every week, so I had been waiting for this book for long (I even requested it for my local library here in Taipei). I feel grateful for all the advice Cal and his co-host constantly share, as it has helped me to be more successful in my PhD and job, without compromising my life (and sleep!) quality. Yet, this book is just a dumbed-down regurgitation of what the podcast has been covering for years. I am not stating that it is all bad, but that it's nothing new, which was also the problem with his previous book “A world without email”.
I think Cal's advice is immensely valuable, but I'd recommend his podcast or “Deep Work” instead of this book.