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shaun_dh's review against another edition
- 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? No
I shed a few tears, but idk if I’d say it’s particularly memorable. I do appreciate that it’s a love story with lesbians that’s not centered around them being lesbians. WLW—we’re just like you, lol
One thing I absolutely hated (that ultimately lead me to my 2⭐️ review) is that the book is clearly written by a Brit (they use British words like petrol station and flat) but the spellings of words are U.S. English (neighbors instead of neighbours). Maybe that’s just something that would bother a weirdo like me, but pick a style! I like reading British versions of books, but I feel like the editor should have changed the words for the U.S. printing or just use British spelling
Graphic: Body horror and Confinement
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
elliotbelliot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Body horror
camam4's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Vomit
noragoudie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Moderate: Body horror
gia0203's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have always found space more terrifying than the ocean. I think of the sea more curiously than fearfully, and sometimes wonder what’s beneath the surface. I went through a phase too of being obsessed with octopi (J still love them). So I actually found the story more beautiful than horrifying. Leah’s feelings about the ocean, and how she reflected on how it had shaped not just her life but everyone else’s, was wonderful to read. The ocean was always a source of comfort for her, but she also depended on it. It was an obsession, and I liked how this was a source of tension in Leah and Miri’s relationship.
I liked too how the book was a metaphor for grief. The death of the protagonist’s parents was intertwined with Leah’s narrative beautifully. The way Leah’s body changed was a reflection of slowly losing someone, and it was really well done. The ending definitely paid off because of this.
The pace moved slowly and gently like the ebb and flow of the waves. The text was littered with small details about Leah and Miri’s life and it made the reading experience really emotional. It’s hard to pull off a pace this slow without being dull, but for me this book was never boring, and instead I anticipated what was going to happen next while also enjoying being in the characters’ heads and learning about their lives. Leah was definitely a more concrete and likeable character than Miri, but by the end I loved both of them and thought their relationship was beautifully written.
I think the slow pace of the novel made me feel like I was losing my mind too. It’s easy to get lost in this book. It made me feel dreamy and not quite here. Sunken thoughts, as Miri would say.
On a final note,
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
sxndaze's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
These are all things that I know, but none of this is really important. I used to think it was vital to know things, to feel safe in the learning and recounting of facts. I used to think it was possible to know enough to escape from the panic of not know- ing, but I realise now that you can never learn enough to protect yourself, not really.
gorgeous written and hauntingly romantic
Graphic: Body horror and Grief
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, and Lesbophobia
justjaqueline's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
While the writing is beautiful, and the character work top notch, I was trying so hard to understand the point of it all that I couldn't lose myself in it.
So I guess my recommendation is to stop thinking while reading and just feel it.
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Body horror
mangofraiche's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Moderate: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Suicide, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
biobeetle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, and Abandonment
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing and Homophobia
woodsybookworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Months later, having assumed her wife died at sea, Miri gets a call from the Centre to pick up Leah who has apparently been in quarantine. Readjusting to a life with her spouse after months alone proves to be more challenging than either woman thought. Especially when odd things begin happening to Leah - like the incessant need to drink salt water, random bleeding, taking night long baths, and the desire to listen to ocean sounds on repeat.
This book was so bizarre. If my wife came back the way Leah did then I would not be as calm about it as Miri was, I can tell you that much. I'd be breaking down the door of the Centre demanding answers, dragging her to a hospital kicking and screaming - I couldn't understand how everyone in this book was so gosh darn CALM about this wild situation both at the bottom of the sea and back on land. I'd be freaking out.
Was this book good? I honestly don't know. It was more an experience than anything and I'm not sure who I'd recommend it to other than fellow water obsessed readers. But my copy now has sticky tabs all throughout so it was definitely something!
Minor: Body horror, Confinement, Blood, and Grief