A review by schnaucl
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

A beautiful love story that also explores grief and what people are willing to ignore to hold on to the ones they love. 
I have on idea if the husbands in space site exists or not (and I feel like if it didn't before the book, it does now) but it felt like a thing that would exist, including the infighting and everyone wanting to be the center of attention.


I liked the alternating points of view. 
I do wonder what will happen to Miri when the spell breaks.  Unless she's also been infected by whatever had Leah.  Her lack of a freak out when her wife lost her eyes suggests maybe she is.  No matter how much you'd conditioned yourself with hypochondria, I feel like that would elicit a big reaction.  Somehow, I don't think the police will accept my wife turned into water and so I had to release her into the ocean.  And it's more than a little strange that she doesn't go to the police or the Centre in 6 months.  Maybe if her wife is overdue by a few days or a week, maybe even a month.  But nearly 5 months overdue?
 

I also loved the glimpses of their lives together.  Their courtship and falling in love and just being in love. 
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