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jw81496's review against another edition
4.0
Although fantasy & science fiction are my least favorite genres, this was a beautiful, unique work of fiction with an intriguing afterword at the end.
What kept my interest was the creatures’ beginning——the building of their culture, language and their world. The historical aspect of the book pulled me into the book. I loved how the authors tied it in with the mystical world they made. I hope to see this in film one day.
What kept my interest was the creatures’ beginning——the building of their culture, language and their world. The historical aspect of the book pulled me into the book. I loved how the authors tied it in with the mystical world they made. I hope to see this in film one day.
carissa230's review against another edition
It’s really short, but I just couldn’t get into the story.
oliviakt07's review against another edition
3.0
*I would like to start off by clarifying that I wanted to give this book a 3.5 rating, and not a 3 as the stars allow me.*
Rivers Solomon, et al,'s, "The Deep" is a story about transformation and adapting to the past, present, and future (possibility) of trauma, and how we keep it to ourselves and/or interpret the experiences with others. By using the vessel of lore and fantasy, themes related to the recovery from trauma are easier to swallow, despite the tragic bitterness of their taste.
Everyone experiences trauma one way or another, personally or by proximity. Shared traumas, across generations usually based on the individual's gender, race, religion, etc. are a unique form of trauma due to how it can linger differently than on the individual experience. This is due to all the points of view, and individual recovery times, for those involved.
I found that the Wajinru's shared trauma (like any culturally shared trauma) should cause the reader to wonder about how their identity and pursuit of life is slowed or quickened due to the views of those around them and their shared trauma. Above all, I hope this book serves as an approval to discuss these topics, and how to heal from them while not forgetting their impact, with little to no stigmas.
“Forgetting was not the same as healing.” A key quote from the book reminds us that instead of being one with the trauma, maybe we can be many with it in a healthy way. Maybe we could even be open to learning about and from the traumas of those different from us to help each other understand the world and history a little better.
*Additional thoughts on the book, and the themes, will be added when they pop into this readers head.*
Rivers Solomon, et al,'s, "The Deep" is a story about transformation and adapting to the past, present, and future (possibility) of trauma, and how we keep it to ourselves and/or interpret the experiences with others. By using the vessel of lore and fantasy, themes related to the recovery from trauma are easier to swallow, despite the tragic bitterness of their taste.
Everyone experiences trauma one way or another, personally or by proximity. Shared traumas, across generations usually based on the individual's gender, race, religion, etc. are a unique form of trauma due to how it can linger differently than on the individual experience. This is due to all the points of view, and individual recovery times, for those involved.
I found that the Wajinru's shared trauma (like any culturally shared trauma) should cause the reader to wonder about how their identity and pursuit of life is slowed or quickened due to the views of those around them and their shared trauma. Above all, I hope this book serves as an approval to discuss these topics, and how to heal from them while not forgetting their impact, with little to no stigmas.
“Forgetting was not the same as healing.” A key quote from the book reminds us that instead of being one with the trauma, maybe we can be many with it in a healthy way. Maybe we could even be open to learning about and from the traumas of those different from us to help each other understand the world and history a little better.
*Additional thoughts on the book, and the themes, will be added when they pop into this readers head.*
mishab's review against another edition
5.0
This was an excellent book. The kind that makes you think while reading it and enters into an on-going conversation between books and with history. I read this because I read their previous book, and didn’t know any backstory until I came to the afterword. Definitely check this out, before or after you read The Deep. Whilst reading not only was I thinking about history, climate change, race in America, and the concept of racial memory, but also Omelas, the concept of a savior who takes on rolls for the group (a common feature in FSF), and the idea of necessary sacrifices. A ‘deep’ book indeed.
https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/31/18204092/rivers-solomon-the-deep-clipping-afrofuturism-novel-cover-interview
https://www.theverge.com/2019/1/31/18204092/rivers-solomon-the-deep-clipping-afrofuturism-novel-cover-interview
quesolover24's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful and thought provoking. This is such a unique storyline and I wish it could have been longer.
saereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
amandashestokes's review against another edition
4.0
If you’re thinking “ooh, black mermaids, yay!” This won’t be the book for you. If you’re looking for an incredibly introspective novel about what it means to live with a sad, brutal and traumatic history and carry that burden for your people, then this book could be for you. It’s beautifully written and not at all what I thought I was getting into.
ghoulishshark's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
The premise sold me but I feel like this should have been longer to better expand everything so it could leave a bigger impact. I just wanted to know so much more than what was given.