Freshwater

I was completely blown away by Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi. Published in 2018 to great acclaim it was never really on my radar probably because I really dislike the cover art, and that sometimes makes or breaks a book for me. But Emezi has a new novel coming out in August, The Death of Vivek Oji that I read about on a Buzzfeed most anticipated books list and the description of Freshwater moved it to the top of my to-read list in anticipation of their new one.

Freshwater feels like that; cool, refreshing, a spill of arresting talent. Told primarily from the perspectives of the gods taken residence in the smooth marble of Ada’s mind, it’s a study on identity, existence, perspective. Emezi can craft such a beautiful line that simultaneously makes you swoon as it punches you in the gut. I loved every moment of this book, I loved how Emezi kept you guessing through time and trauma and I found the Nigerian mythology behind the idea of multiple personalities absolutely fascinating.

A gorgeous debut that will keep me coming back for whatever Emezi chooses to give us next. If you missed this one in 2018 too now’s the time to rectify your mistake.

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi (Grove Press, 2018)