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A review by paigeisinabook
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
What the Western world calls mental illness, in Nigeria there is ogbanje. They are not the same.
Ada is troubled and saved by those from another plane of existence. They protect her while also shaping her into a creature of their own making. This begins at birth but shows itself fully in the U.S. while in college and follows her for as long as they need each other or meet an end. As Ada comes to understand she is more than one person, the world opens up for her.
So, this was my second Emezi book. I should have read this first, I know. But, it worked itself out.
This book was okay. Very heavy on the sexual relations that at times, that it seemed to be all that the book was about. Like Ada was just being promiscuous and that was all (not that that is a bad thing). I know there was more to it, but the rest of it just seemed unbalanced. None of the other spirits had balanced time on the page (which I guess could mean that they weren't as powerful or as present). That was the main drawback for me. I would have liked to read from some more perspectives for longer.
I was torn because I know this book is well-acclaimed, but in my gut (for now) I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
---
31 March 2024
After thinking about it, 2 or 2.5 stars
Ada is troubled and saved by those from another plane of existence. They protect her while also shaping her into a creature of their own making. This begins at birth but shows itself fully in the U.S. while in college and follows her for as long as they need each other or meet an end. As Ada comes to understand she is more than one person, the world opens up for her.
So, this was my second Emezi book. I should have read this first, I know. But, it worked itself out.
This book was okay. Very heavy on the sexual relations that at times, that it seemed to be all that the book was about. Like Ada was just being promiscuous and that was all (not that that is a bad thing). I know there was more to it, but the rest of it just seemed unbalanced. None of the other spirits had balanced time on the page (which I guess could mean that they weren't as powerful or as present). That was the main drawback for me. I would have liked to read from some more perspectives for longer.
I was torn because I know this book is well-acclaimed, but in my gut (for now) I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
---
31 March 2024
After thinking about it, 2 or 2.5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual assault
There are a lot of content warnings for this book that I'm forgetting. It might be good to look up the content warnings from other reviewers before picking up this book if you need them.