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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
This book was so surprising and gave words to the most difficult emotions to describe. Loved it and definitely recommend!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Points for extreme unique POV and experimentation. Points for using African mythological figures (Ogbanje) as central tool.
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
A real insightful read, so beautifully written 😭✨👏🏻
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Biphobia, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I couldn't put this down.
As I delve into Akwaeke Emezi's works, I'm astounded that Freshwater was their debut novel—guys it was a wild ride!
Rooted in mythology, Freshwater explores weighty themes from a unique angle. Emezi's prose is glorious, shining through its allegorical intent. The use of gods and spirits to narrate their merging with Ada after her sexual assault offers a fresh perspective, adding layers of complexity and depth.
I'm particularly drawn to books with unconventional structures and unreliable narrators, and Freshwater excels in both.
Despite its brevity, Freshwater leaves a lasting impact, showcasing Emezi's undeniable talent. If you're a fan of Emezi and haven't read this book yet, what are you waiting for?
Let me start off by saying that I do not know exactly how to review this book. It was a bit odd to read this novel because I followed Akwaeke on Tumblr and enjoyed her blogging and social media camaraderie. To read this novel and realize I had read about these experience either as they occurred or her thoughts on vet school, mental health and art is a bit surreal. I knew when she was writing her novel, that she spent time in Trinidad doing so and met her at a local event. It is fascinating to know that this has been her experience, summed up in a fictional book, but it transcends way more than that. Freshwater is astounding.
The book begins with the birth of Ada who grows with dormant spirits within her until a devastating act in her college years opens the gateway to allow them in. Freshwater delves into the trials and encounters Ada faces as these different spirits within her surge to take the lead. There is one dominant spirit, Asugara, whose intentions for Ada are both intensely driven by love and loyalty as they are by maliciousness and greed. Freshwater may be fictional but is it follows the life and experiences of the author. This book is poetic and eerie, painful and endearing. A fantastic debut novel.
Spoiler
top surgery/hospital visitsSpoiler
+ the divorce.The book begins with the birth of Ada who grows with dormant spirits within her until a devastating act in her college years opens the gateway to allow them in. Freshwater delves into the trials and encounters Ada faces as these different spirits within her surge to take the lead. There is one dominant spirit, Asugara, whose intentions for Ada are both intensely driven by love and loyalty as they are by maliciousness and greed. Freshwater may be fictional but is it follows the life and experiences of the author. This book is poetic and eerie, painful and endearing. A fantastic debut novel.