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botlump's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Rape, Self harm, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
anovelbeauty's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Book TW: ❗️attempted suicide (on-page); rape (on-page)❗️abuse; eating disorder; repeated self-harm/mutilation; manipulation; involuntary hospitalisation
There’s a /lot/ to this novel. So much in fact, I almost feel I can’t write a decent review for it. I learned a lot through this novel, specifically about the Nigerian concept of ognanje. I know many aspects of this novel are also inspired by Emezi’s own experiences with their gender. Freshwater is extremely well written. It is beautiful and harsh, it unflinchingly explores a lot of deep and hurtful topics and let’s you draw your own conclusions about any one character’s morality (or lack thereof) and choices.
Now, I do want to say, right up front, that this novel scared me. It didn’t really start until the emergence of Asughara or “The Beast Self.” Maybe I should just say that Asyghara scares me? But her perspective is so prevalent in the novel and is such a dark influence within Ada’s life experience in the book, it is often manipulative, harmful, and abusive, punctuated by a rare few moments where she actually does protect Ada, but that doesn’t outweigh the bad. But essentially a spirit having that much negative impact and control over Ada freaked me out in the same way that demon possession plots are just a thing I cannot do in movies and books. It just is too real and freaks me out (I realize this is a me problem, but I still wanted to mention it).
That aside, the plot of the book was very well developed as it walked you through Ada’s life and with the perspectives of the Brothersisters and Asughara throughout. I do wish that we got St. Vincent’s POV as I felt that would have perhaps provided a better balance to Asughara’s chapters. The few times we get Ada and the “We” perspectives are always fascinating.
This book explores a lot of Nigerian spirituality, both traditional and Christianised. The way that Yshwa (Jesus) is portrayed in the novel is interesting and definitely touching at points. He is woven throughout the novel as Ada works through her faith and her experiences clashing and rebuilding throughout her life.
This is also a novel of genderfluidity. As the brothersisters inhabit Ada and exert their influence on her, she becomes more ogbanje than human, more they than she over the course of the story.
From a mental health perspective there is /a lot/ to unpack. While the book is very specific to point out that the different ogbanje fronting for Ada are not different personalities (so this is /not/ DID or as it used to be known Multiple Personality Disorder), there is also a portion of the novel that talks about a “fracturing” of Ada’s memories after trauma and how the fractures are kept separate to help her cope. This second description is similar to one of the newer theories of DID, but it is explored only a little bit in the book, so there is not quite as much to go on and is definitely separate from the ogbanje. Also, most other things that would be mental illnesses or mental health concerns for Ada are almost always caused by the ogbanje (mostly Asughara), so it’s an interesting intertwining because Ada’s experiences are caused by such a complex inner world but have standard outward symptoms of various problems.
Overall, this is an extremely well-written and thought provoking book. I’m still thinking about it. I read/watched about six reveiws before writing mine, specially trying to find some own-voices reviews to fill in some of my knowledge gaps and get some other views on the story. I really enjoyed the review by Uche Ezeudu on YouTube as she gave a Nigerian perspective on the story.
While it is definitely bleak at times, particularly in the middle of the story, the ending makes it closer to empowering. If you want a book will make you think and take you in with beautiful, sharp writing, you should read this wonderful debut novel from Emezi.
There’s a /lot/ to this novel. So much in fact, I almost feel I can’t write a decent review for it. I learned a lot through this novel, specifically about the Nigerian concept of ognanje. I know many aspects of this novel are also inspired by Emezi’s own experiences with their gender. Freshwater is extremely well written. It is beautiful and harsh, it unflinchingly explores a lot of deep and hurtful topics and let’s you draw your own conclusions about any one character’s morality (or lack thereof) and choices.
Now, I do want to say, right up front, that this novel scared me. It didn’t really start until the emergence of Asughara or “The Beast Self.” Maybe I should just say that Asyghara scares me? But her perspective is so prevalent in the novel and is such a dark influence within Ada’s life experience in the book, it is often manipulative, harmful, and abusive, punctuated by a rare few moments where she actually does protect Ada, but that doesn’t outweigh the bad. But essentially a spirit having that much negative impact and control over Ada freaked me out in the same way that demon possession plots are just a thing I cannot do in movies and books. It just is too real and freaks me out (I realize this is a me problem, but I still wanted to mention it).
That aside, the plot of the book was very well developed as it walked you through Ada’s life and with the perspectives of the Brothersisters and Asughara throughout. I do wish that we got St. Vincent’s POV as I felt that would have perhaps provided a better balance to Asughara’s chapters. The few times we get Ada and the “We” perspectives are always fascinating.
This book explores a lot of Nigerian spirituality, both traditional and Christianised. The way that Yshwa (Jesus) is portrayed in the novel is interesting and definitely touching at points. He is woven throughout the novel as Ada works through her faith and her experiences clashing and rebuilding throughout her life.
This is also a novel of genderfluidity. As the brothersisters inhabit Ada and exert their influence on her, she becomes more ogbanje than human, more they than she over the course of the story.
From a mental health perspective there is /a lot/ to unpack. While the book is very specific to point out that the different ogbanje fronting for Ada are not different personalities (so this is /not/ DID or as it used to be known Multiple Personality Disorder), there is also a portion of the novel that talks about a “fracturing” of Ada’s memories after trauma and how the fractures are kept separate to help her cope. This second description is similar to one of the newer theories of DID, but it is explored only a little bit in the book, so there is not quite as much to go on and is definitely separate from the ogbanje. Also, most other things that would be mental illnesses or mental health concerns for Ada are almost always caused by the ogbanje (mostly Asughara), so it’s an interesting intertwining because Ada’s experiences are caused by such a complex inner world but have standard outward symptoms of various problems.
Overall, this is an extremely well-written and thought provoking book. I’m still thinking about it. I read/watched about six reveiws before writing mine, specially trying to find some own-voices reviews to fill in some of my knowledge gaps and get some other views on the story. I really enjoyed the review by Uche Ezeudu on YouTube as she gave a Nigerian perspective on the story.
While it is definitely bleak at times, particularly in the middle of the story, the ending makes it closer to empowering. If you want a book will make you think and take you in with beautiful, sharp writing, you should read this wonderful debut novel from Emezi.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Self harm, and Rape
Moderate: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, and Car accident
Minor: Death
ohlhauc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
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
A moving and biting story of wrestling with and finding power in one's identity, and the physical and mental destruction that arises when we're in conflict with who we are.
The storytelling builds upon spirituality, which was exquisitely done and seamless. The strongest moments of the book for me were the scenes that shared commentary and dialogue between the gbanje (Igbo spirits) and Ada, the main protagonist, on identity, self-harm, and spirituality. The author nails the emotions and thoughts that comes with feeling hurt, feeling torn, feeling free. Very powerful.
I would have liked to see more tension and dialogue between Ada and the ogbanje, and to feel what Ada was thinking and feeling when her agency was overridden at times. A lot of the chapters took on the perspective of a particular ogbanje or Ada and near the end, you see more of the interaction between them, but it would have been rewarding to see those dynamics earlier. Also, I found Asughara draining as their chapters continued - while I can see that we were probably supposed to feel frustrated, it felt like it dragged on too much. I was also disappointed that we didn't get more of St. Vincent and to see the impact St. Vincent had on Ada.
Overall, it was a great read and there were specific moments that I felt to my core and I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in gender identity, nonbinary and trans stories, African spirituality and systems of knowledge, identity in general, self-harm, and autobiographical fiction.
The storytelling builds upon spirituality, which was exquisitely done and seamless. The strongest moments of the book for me were the scenes that shared commentary and dialogue between the gbanje (Igbo spirits) and Ada, the main protagonist, on identity, self-harm, and spirituality. The author nails the emotions and thoughts that comes with feeling hurt, feeling torn, feeling free. Very powerful.
I would have liked to see more tension and dialogue between Ada and the ogbanje, and to feel what Ada was thinking and feeling when her agency was overridden at times. A lot of the chapters took on the perspective of a particular ogbanje or Ada and near the end, you see more of the interaction between them, but it would have been rewarding to see those dynamics earlier. Also, I found Asughara draining as their chapters continued - while I can see that we were probably supposed to feel frustrated, it felt like it dragged on too much. I was also disappointed that we didn't get more of St. Vincent and to see the impact St. Vincent had on Ada.
Overall, it was a great read and there were specific moments that I felt to my core and I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in gender identity, nonbinary and trans stories, African spirituality and systems of knowledge, identity in general, self-harm, and autobiographical fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Toxic relationship
Minor: Forced institutionalization and Mental illness
For the self-harm trigger, it doesn't just describe the act of self-harm but also discusses the high one gets from participating in the act and how good it can feel it. That discussion is appropriate for the scene it's in but if you struggle with resisting the urge for self-harm, I'd avoid this book until you're in a better place.
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