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michkeenah's review against another edition
3.0
gosh what a book. had gravitas in so many aspects. also this is a good three! i really enjoyed the writing but i think i would have given it a better rating if i feel more connected to ada. they felt kinda distant from me, like i didn’t really know them. that was probably the point tbh
dancevera's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A deeply creative book by one of my favourite writers. Freshwater deals with some heavy themes, and sometimes I had trouble reading the raw pain, especially paired with spiritual language. However the changing view points was absolutely brilliant, and I am already considering giving it a second read through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Rape, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
shaunashares's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Blood, and Sexual assault
laran_s's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
mscoleman's review against another edition
More of a pause. Not working for me on audio book.
moth_dance's review against another edition
5.0
Instant classic that left me with one of the most intense ethereal feelings I've ever experienced from a work of contemporary fiction.
Akwaeke Emezi is the perfect companion to [a:Francesca Lia Block|9072|Francesca Lia Block|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1530045619p2/9072.jpg], and I mean this not as a way to box together two writers who work with magical realism and conversations about gender and sexuality. Yes, the both do that beautifully. But I think Emezi is like FLB in the sense that they're courageous and daring with their characters. Theiir world building is grounded in ancient practices of Igbo culture and different spiritual beliefs, but like FLB's [b:The Hanged Man|14568|The Hanged Man|Francesca Lia Block|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391461296l/14568._SX50_.jpg|946180], they go further into the unknown and pushes up against a type of mythological magic that's often left out in fiction. There's a natural sensibility in their writing, much like the kind FLB has always maintained in her many stories. And a tribute to the past with many different veins of culture and art and entertainment runs through their book, which made me recall FLB's [b:Dangerous Angels|14565|Dangerous Angels (Weetzie Bat, #1-5)|Francesca Lia Block|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1166639454l/14565._SY75_.jpg|990480] stories.
But what I really love the most about Akwaeke Emzi's Freshwater is the pure, magical excitement I feel when I think about reading it again.
Akwaeke Emezi is the perfect companion to [a:Francesca Lia Block|9072|Francesca Lia Block|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1530045619p2/9072.jpg], and I mean this not as a way to box together two writers who work with magical realism and conversations about gender and sexuality. Yes, the both do that beautifully. But I think Emezi is like FLB in the sense that they're courageous and daring with their characters. Theiir world building is grounded in ancient practices of Igbo culture and different spiritual beliefs, but like FLB's [b:The Hanged Man|14568|The Hanged Man|Francesca Lia Block|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1391461296l/14568._SX50_.jpg|946180], they go further into the unknown and pushes up against a type of mythological magic that's often left out in fiction. There's a natural sensibility in their writing, much like the kind FLB has always maintained in her many stories. And a tribute to the past with many different veins of culture and art and entertainment runs through their book, which made me recall FLB's [b:Dangerous Angels|14565|Dangerous Angels (Weetzie Bat, #1-5)|Francesca Lia Block|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1166639454l/14565._SY75_.jpg|990480] stories.
But what I really love the most about Akwaeke Emzi's Freshwater is the pure, magical excitement I feel when I think about reading it again.
intute's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
cb841's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0