Review by clown_the_basking_shark - Freshwater

clown_the_basking_shark 's review for:

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

4.25

challenging dark reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

What did I just read? Many rereads to come. This is a book where one read isn't enough, many are needed to process. I do not read much of this type of book but I think I need to read more like it. Once I get a copy to annotate I'll have a more in-depth review. As for first thoughts, I really enjoyed the conversation around sex, it was very well done. This book feels like a fever dream low-key and I liked the way this felt like a story and not some sort or quest. Ada was just living her life and this was what her life was. The difference between We and Asụghara was also very clear. I really enjoyed the chapter written in verse and the development Ada had. Watching her get more confident in herself was satisfying, but she also made mistakes, which was nice to see. These are very complicated characters and the nuance makes them feel real.

Content Warnings