John Henry Mackay
Der Schwimmer
"Der Schwimmer" by John Henry Mackay is a novel written during the late 19th century. The story introduces the protagonist, Franz Felder, a young boy from a poor family in Berlin who develops a deep love for swimming from an early age. As he navigates through his challenging childhood, swimming becomes both a source of joy and an escape from his hardships. At the start of the novel, we see Franz reflecting on his early memories associated with water and how swimming feels as natural to him as walking. His family struggles to make ends meet, leaving him and his siblings largely to fend for themselves, which leads to adventures by the riverside as he explores and learns to swim. The narrative sets the stage for his journey, showing his passion for swimming and hinting at how this love might shape his life, especially as he faces the decisions and responsibilities that come with growing up in a challenging environment.