Freshwater, Akwaeke Emezi
Freshwater is fascinating and difficult to get a hold of and describe. To say too much would spoil the experience, I think, and anyway to say anything feels like holding onto water. If I were to just describe the book, I’d have to decide whether to take some elements literally, or whether to discuss it in a spiritual/supernatural light.
So I won’t do that. What I will say is that you need a strong stomach to read this. The main characters hurt themselves and others, deliberately; the main character is abused by others in various different ways. There’s a suicide attempt (and related hospital trip), there’s parental neglect in two different flavours. There’s a religious aspect, too, which some might find uncomfortable reading.
It’s not an easy read, but fascinating; there’s much to unpick in a discussion with others who’ve read it. In the end, it wasn’t entirely for me, but I’m glad I read it.
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