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A review by realadhdoug
We Are Water by Wally Lamb
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.75
This book was long and meandering bringing in the first-person perspective of so many characters—most of which end up making sense in the end but some which seem unnecessary. So yes, this book is perhaps too long (and yes it contains a lot of material most people will find offensive and disturbing), but I still think the payoff is worth the journey.
The way the story all comes together in the end is so moving and left me emotionally wrecked. Really, the story is about intergenerational trauma and how our actions have ripple effects we don’t even realize. The characters are vivid and believable, though “likable” would be a stretch for any of them.
In short, this story is incredibly heavy but incredibly good. Read with caution and be prepared to shower of the gross feeling and maybe binge some cartoons to bring your mood back up.
The way the story all comes together in the end is so moving and left me emotionally wrecked. Really, the story is about intergenerational trauma and how our actions have ripple effects we don’t even realize. The characters are vivid and believable, though “likable” would be a stretch for any of them.
In short, this story is incredibly heavy but incredibly good. Read with caution and be prepared to shower of the gross feeling and maybe binge some cartoons to bring your mood back up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racial slurs
Repeated references to child rape—including the first-person perspective of the rapist. Also separate instances of physical abuse of a child. There are some various “moderate” racial slurs (for Arab and Chinese people) and one use of the “N” word that I remember.