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A review by cupitonians
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
5 Feb 2025
I listened to the audiobook this time and the experience was so much richer and nuanced than I first experienced it! I'm a massive AE fan so I love everything they write - but this one is a masterpiece of a debut novel and holds a very special place in my heart.
6 Feb 2021
This was so difficult to read (subject matter), and I wanted to put it away in the beginning. And yet, without me realising it, I was drawn so deeply into the story. I couldn't look away. What an amazing way to tell your life's journey, through the eyes of the spirits that occupies your body. I also really love the reclaiming of the ogbanje as a fully fleshed reality, rather than a curse or passing mention. But perhaps the most relatable and moving part of the book was how gender and fluidity was tackled. I understood instinctually and deeply that feeling of not feeling right in your body on either side of the binary! Just brilliant.
I listened to the audiobook this time and the experience was so much richer and nuanced than I first experienced it! I'm a massive AE fan so I love everything they write - but this one is a masterpiece of a debut novel and holds a very special place in my heart.
6 Feb 2021
This was so difficult to read (subject matter), and I wanted to put it away in the beginning. And yet, without me realising it, I was drawn so deeply into the story. I couldn't look away. What an amazing way to tell your life's journey, through the eyes of the spirits that occupies your body. I also really love the reclaiming of the ogbanje as a fully fleshed reality, rather than a curse or passing mention. But perhaps the most relatable and moving part of the book was how gender and fluidity was tackled. I understood instinctually and deeply that feeling of not feeling right in your body on either side of the binary! Just brilliant.