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A review by oliviakt07
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
3.0
*I would like to start off by clarifying that I wanted to give this book a 3.5 rating, and not a 3 as the stars allow me.*
Rivers Solomon, et al,'s, "The Deep" is a story about transformation and adapting to the past, present, and future (possibility) of trauma, and how we keep it to ourselves and/or interpret the experiences with others. By using the vessel of lore and fantasy, themes related to the recovery from trauma are easier to swallow, despite the tragic bitterness of their taste.
Everyone experiences trauma one way or another, personally or by proximity. Shared traumas, across generations usually based on the individual's gender, race, religion, etc. are a unique form of trauma due to how it can linger differently than on the individual experience. This is due to all the points of view, and individual recovery times, for those involved.
I found that the Wajinru's shared trauma (like any culturally shared trauma) should cause the reader to wonder about how their identity and pursuit of life is slowed or quickened due to the views of those around them and their shared trauma. Above all, I hope this book serves as an approval to discuss these topics, and how to heal from them while not forgetting their impact, with little to no stigmas.
“Forgetting was not the same as healing.” A key quote from the book reminds us that instead of being one with the trauma, maybe we can be many with it in a healthy way. Maybe we could even be open to learning about and from the traumas of those different from us to help each other understand the world and history a little better.
*Additional thoughts on the book, and the themes, will be added when they pop into this readers head.*
Rivers Solomon, et al,'s, "The Deep" is a story about transformation and adapting to the past, present, and future (possibility) of trauma, and how we keep it to ourselves and/or interpret the experiences with others. By using the vessel of lore and fantasy, themes related to the recovery from trauma are easier to swallow, despite the tragic bitterness of their taste.
Everyone experiences trauma one way or another, personally or by proximity. Shared traumas, across generations usually based on the individual's gender, race, religion, etc. are a unique form of trauma due to how it can linger differently than on the individual experience. This is due to all the points of view, and individual recovery times, for those involved.
I found that the Wajinru's shared trauma (like any culturally shared trauma) should cause the reader to wonder about how their identity and pursuit of life is slowed or quickened due to the views of those around them and their shared trauma. Above all, I hope this book serves as an approval to discuss these topics, and how to heal from them while not forgetting their impact, with little to no stigmas.
“Forgetting was not the same as healing.” A key quote from the book reminds us that instead of being one with the trauma, maybe we can be many with it in a healthy way. Maybe we could even be open to learning about and from the traumas of those different from us to help each other understand the world and history a little better.
*Additional thoughts on the book, and the themes, will be added when they pop into this readers head.*