A review by memeraryfiction
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

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

4.0

Our Wives under the Sea is a unique book; I don't think I've ever read anything quite like it before. It is an incredibly intimate portrait of grieving a partner while they are still in your life, as they slip away due to (let's call it) illness. However, it isn't an easy allegory for, say, losing someone to terminal illness or dementia. It's strange, complicated, and weirdly beautiful. The sci-fi elements are very present but take a decided backseat to the emotional journey; so if you're interested in it mainly for the sci-fi stuff, you may be disappointed, though you may also find your elf surprisingly engaged. The story is an extremely slow burn, but I think that was a correct choice for the subject matter, and it feels well-paced and intentional.
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