A review by lvfl
We, the Drowned by Carsten Jensen

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

This book is somewhere between 2.5-4.5 stars. 

I may return and change my rating substantially. It depends how this book sticks with me over the coming days. 

There would be 200 pages of compelling storytelling punctuated by a sucker punch of horrific violence, followed by another 200 pages of compelling storytelling. There was violence and horror throughout, but some scenes were stomach-turning and enraging in ways that made me want to throw out the whole book. Then I’d be drawn back in to these lives. 

I’m also not really sure what the message of the book is. Is it about trauma and the horrors humans inflict upon one another? About the possibility that we maintain our humanity even when committing deeply inhumane acts? Is it a critique of casual misogyny and racism or is it just casual misogyny and racism? Is it primarily about the capriciousness and violence of the sea as she widows women and orphans children? 

Anyone considering reading this book should look at the content warnings. The scenes of

animal abuse

,

domestic violence

, and

rape

were particularly challenging to read.