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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely adored the writing, was drawn in immediately. Around the 100-150 page mark I got kind of bored and kept wondering when the premise of the book that we were promised was going to "start", but then we got there and I'm glad I stuck around. The ending was a huge "twist" in that I didn't see it coming, but in retrospect, I should have. Armfield left plenty of narrative structure to bring us this ending, my only disappointment was that I think we should have spent more time with it. It was very abrupt and then the book ended. I would have loved another 50 pages in that final scene(s).
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fascinating adaptation set in a climate setting that is eerily familiar to the growing crisis we find ourselves in. The book is bare bones in its narrative in a way that poses many questions and answers few. This leaves a bit to be desired at the very end as it begins to all come together but for the most part I enjoyed the mysterious nature.
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
I fell in love with Julia Armfield’s writing from the moment I laid eyes on the first page of Our Wives Under The Sea, forcing myself to not devour her words but take my time with them, knowing even from that first sentence that I would be bereft when I came to the end of all she’s published so far.
And here I am, feeling just that. There’s a quality to her writing that I have yet to find anywhere else, the kind of description and world building that entirely submerges you in these stories that are both raw and human, and otherworldly, a place of science fiction. There’s two tales going on at once: something achingly relatable and ‘normal’, characters with relationships that are so rich in detail, flaws that feel curated in a way that it could be someone you know, anyone really. And then the element of dystopia. The strangeness of the weather, of sea creatures, of something unknown lurking in the dark. Armfield is exceptional at both, at intertwining the two seamlessly.
All that to say that this book is hauntingly good. Perhaps the best book I’ve read in years. I will have to wait somewhat patiently to see what Armfield brings us next, but regardless, I know I’ll be reading it.
And here I am, feeling just that. There’s a quality to her writing that I have yet to find anywhere else, the kind of description and world building that entirely submerges you in these stories that are both raw and human, and otherworldly, a place of science fiction. There’s two tales going on at once: something achingly relatable and ‘normal’, characters with relationships that are so rich in detail, flaws that feel curated in a way that it could be someone you know, anyone really. And then the element of dystopia. The strangeness of the weather, of sea creatures, of something unknown lurking in the dark. Armfield is exceptional at both, at intertwining the two seamlessly.
All that to say that this book is hauntingly good. Perhaps the best book I’ve read in years. I will have to wait somewhat patiently to see what Armfield brings us next, but regardless, I know I’ll be reading it.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy... I don't even have the words. Exquisitely written, daring horror that holds back the biggest tropes like a clever poker hand, waiting for you to run out of willpower. Is it about now, is it about the near future? Is it about grief, loss, family, estrangement, regret? It's all of it. Ari Aster wishes.
Damp and mournful, beautiful and terrifying, wicked and salty, like the sea. Julia Armfield is the queen of water and in my opinion one of the UK's best living writers, a voice for a particularly lost generation. I'm impatient for more.
Damp and mournful, beautiful and terrifying, wicked and salty, like the sea. Julia Armfield is the queen of water and in my opinion one of the UK's best living writers, a voice for a particularly lost generation. I'm impatient for more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail