4.79k reviews for:

Acquadolce

Akwaeke Emezi

4.13 AVERAGE

mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
dark emotional medium-paced
challenging dark emotional reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
challenging dark reflective
dark emotional 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

Freshwater was unlike any book I’ve ever read before. Life-changing. 
challenging dark emotional reflective 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

I think it’s really easy to fall into the trap of reading this as a “mental health journey” novel. I initially did read it in this way, but of course, it’s more than that. It’s about spirituality, being disconnected (from homes, lands, and worlds), and acceptance (of one’s self & the things you cannot change). I would have rated it higher but I did struggle with the structure, although the writing is beautiful, and I struggled to become connected to any of the characters (maybe that was the point?). I recognise this book for its beauty but it’s just not for me, and that’s okay!
challenging emotional medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Akwaeke Emezi never ceases to amaze me. This book was visceral and difficult to read at points, but always masterfully told. I felt like most of the time I didn’t know what was happening but I was along for the ride and what a ride it was. 
dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
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

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