Very readable, the description that "nothing good happens in this book" is fairly accurate. The ending was very interesting.

I'm glad I read this book but it unfortunately felt often like a chore. I think if I'd been in a different mood it would have likely been more enjoyable, so don't let that dissuade you!

This book. This book accomplishes so much, shows such nuance and grace, captures its characters brilliantly, stunned me silent. Somehow a page turner, yet bringing into focus severely real topics of our time. I was swept up by these characters and this story, another book I don't think I'll ever recover from (in a good way.)

This book was not for me. It took me so long and then it just ended.

So atmospheric and magical.

I've been excited to read this book for a year or so since leaning of it's impending publication and it completely lived up to my internal hype.

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi is going to be a book I think about for a long time, and it's such an outstanding book to exist, since it's telling a story unlike most of the rest. I'm going to be researching what other authors are writing about ogbanje, spirits, multiple personalities, and related topics, but if you have any recommendations please drop them in the comments!

This book also looks at issues such as sexual assault and rape and the trauma that arises from these violations, and self harm and suicidal ideation. It does so through it's own lense in a way that feels to me both familiar and all its own. This book was not one to muddle through, Emezi makes everything feel immediate and clear, even when it seems it should be incomprehensible. At the same time, there is much to unpack and delve into in thought that will resonate long after the reading is complete.

The narrative choices with the perspectives were amazing. And the prose surrounding Christianity was altogether unexpected and fascinating.

Oh shit

I was so immersed in this story and now I'm so sad that it's over. Likely more thoughts to follow.

I loved the beginning of this book so much I wanted to hug it. I can understand readers being put off by the third person narrator’s highly conversational tone, but it worked for me. Maria is witty and thoughtful and I luxuriated in her many (mostly internal) monologues about herself, gender, social norms, feminist theory, etc. About halfway through this novel took a turn I was not expecting and I had to renegotiate my footing. It did not end close to how I expected it might, and I’m wondering at my reaction to its conclusion. This isn’t meant as a detraction, this is just the part of the story that I’m reacting to with less straightforward adoration. There is a lot going on, and I’m so glad to have this book rattling around in my head now.