A review by jill_holly
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

It feels impossible to review this book because it is so hard to describe. It had me in a chokehold the moment I started it and didn't let up. I was breathless by the end. Both devastatingly dark and heartwrenchingly beautiful, it dives headfirst into the lasting impacts of sexual trauma, the struggles of mental health, and the splitting of a fractured identity. It pulls from Igbo mythology, which I enjoyed learning more about. I was riveted, heartbroken and aching from the prose, weirdness, and intensity of Ada's story. I need to go read everything else Akwaeke Emezi has ever written. 
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