A review by fieldsandfeels
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging emotional funny slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Akwaeke Emezi never fails to really pull us into their mind with the poetry and pain of their ogbanje companions. By giving each of them individual voices and personalities, we see how real it is for everyone. I particularly love the conflict of the Western need to pathologize so many of Ada’s thoughts and behaviors, when in reality they do have agency in what we learn is a beautiful sort of symbiosis. This is really just about the journey to self-acceptance, and that should be celebrated.
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