A review by bookofcinz
Like Water Like Sea by Olumide Popoola

dark emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

What a brilliant book!

We meet Nia Like Water Like Sea who is a queer, bi/pansexual naturopath living in London. The book spans over thirty years of her life, we need her after the death of her sister and how she is dealing with her grief. Her mother is bipolar and that adds another layer of heaviness for her to work through. 

Nia decides to leave a party with a girl she’s been seeing on and off to go into the water to feel what it is like to drown. While she does that a couple jogging pass sees her and inquires after her, this leads to a friendship/ situationship. She tries figuring out who she is, what she wants for her life and how to navigate grief that means all consuming. 

I really enjoyed this book. It feels so fresh and biting. The characters are so flawed but I love the disastrous mistakes they make and their bid to make their life one that they are proud of. The journey was amazing to see unfold. 

I don’t want to compare this book to anything, but if you love Sally Rooney’s novels you will enjoy this book!