Scan barcode
A review by jamieleepilk
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Thank you so much to Picador, specifically Alice Dewing for this proof! I'm eternally grateful.
UK Release - 3/3/2022
"The deep sea is a haunted house: a place in which things that ought not to exist move about in darkness."
Is it possible for a book to be released next year to be one of my favourite reads of this year?
Um hi, I will not shut up about this book for the foreseeable future. Thank you for understanding.
I loved Julia's collection of short stories Salt Slow and was very excited when this novel was announced and I tell you what, it's insanely brilliant. This novel is also joining the list of books that made me cry on public transport, at this point the list is getting slightly out of control.
A blend of what feels like a brand new mythology, a fairytale, a love and a horror story wrapped up in one very beautiful package. The love story of Leah and Miri is so moving and you can't help but love them and want everything to be okay. I love how the story was set out, chapters and POVs from each of them which at times felt very intimate and personal as a lot was told through memories of their past life together compared to/leading up to the present situation.
Julia's writing style is so stunning, unlike any others that I've read, so mesmerising and haunting that at times I had to force myself to stop reading because at just over 200 pages I wanted to make it last as long as humanly possible.
The small heartfelt moments and memories were like direct punches to the heart. Nothing short of breathtaking.
The parts when Leah is in the submarine were so creepy and sinister, that I NEVER want to go deep sea diving EVER. I loved that the flashbacks and present day POVs joined up and meshed together so you were gaining information slowly but in a satisfying way that also kept you guessing and on edge.
Julia is an outstanding talent and I don't think I will stop thinking about this story for a very long time. It isn't out until March and I have a feeling my love will only grow and I will probably have to have a re-read before then. Pre-order now! Just do it. Please.
UK Release - 3/3/2022
"The deep sea is a haunted house: a place in which things that ought not to exist move about in darkness."
Is it possible for a book to be released next year to be one of my favourite reads of this year?
Um hi, I will not shut up about this book for the foreseeable future. Thank you for understanding.
I loved Julia's collection of short stories Salt Slow and was very excited when this novel was announced and I tell you what, it's insanely brilliant. This novel is also joining the list of books that made me cry on public transport, at this point the list is getting slightly out of control.
A blend of what feels like a brand new mythology, a fairytale, a love and a horror story wrapped up in one very beautiful package. The love story of Leah and Miri is so moving and you can't help but love them and want everything to be okay. I love how the story was set out, chapters and POVs from each of them which at times felt very intimate and personal as a lot was told through memories of their past life together compared to/leading up to the present situation.
Julia's writing style is so stunning, unlike any others that I've read, so mesmerising and haunting that at times I had to force myself to stop reading because at just over 200 pages I wanted to make it last as long as humanly possible.
The small heartfelt moments and memories were like direct punches to the heart. Nothing short of breathtaking.
The parts when Leah is in the submarine were so creepy and sinister, that I NEVER want to go deep sea diving EVER. I loved that the flashbacks and present day POVs joined up and meshed together so you were gaining information slowly but in a satisfying way that also kept you guessing and on edge.
Julia is an outstanding talent and I don't think I will stop thinking about this story for a very long time. It isn't out until March and I have a feeling my love will only grow and I will probably have to have a re-read before then. Pre-order now! Just do it. Please.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content