Freshwater

Locations
Call Number: Fiction / Emezi, Akwaeke, Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Emezi, Akwaeke
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 2nd Floor 4-week checkout	Fiction / Emezi, Akwaeke	4-week checkout	On Shelf
Traverwood Adult Books 4-week checkout	Adult Book / Fiction / Fantasy / Emezi, Akwaeke	4-week checkout	Due 05-02-2024

An extraordinary debut novel, Freshwater explores the surreal experience of having a fractured self. It centers around a young Nigerian woman, Ada, who develops separate selves within her as a result of being born "with one foot on the other side." Unsettling, heartwrenching, dark, and powerful, Freshwater is a sharp evocation of a rare way of experiencing the world, one that illuminates how we all construct our identities. Ada begins her life in the south of Nigeria as a troubled baby and a source of deep concern to her family. Her parents, Saul and Saachi, successfully prayed her into existence, but as she grows into a volatile and splintered child, it becomes clear that something went terribly awry. When Ada comes of age and moves to America for college, the group of selves within her grows in power and agency. A traumatic assault leads to a crystallization of her alternate selves: Asụghara and Saint Vincent. As Ada fades into the background of her own mind and these selves, now protective, now hedonistic, move into control, Ada's life spirals in a dark and dangerous direction. Narrated from the perspective of the various selves within Ada, and based in the author's realities, Freshwater explores the metaphysics of identity and mental health, plunging the reader into the mystery of being and self. Freshwater dazzles with ferocious energy and serpentine grace, heralding the arrival of a fierce new literary voice.

REVIEWS & SUMMARIES

Library Journal Review
Booklist Review
Publishers Weekly Review
Summary / Annotation
Fiction Profile
Excerpt
Author Notes

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Beautifully written submitted by dntanzer on August 29, 2019, 7:52am This is an intense book that features a unique narration and beautiful writing. I found it very interesting and really enjoyed reading it. It does feature some tough topics like abuse and assault

Gripping! submitted by berkleya on August 5, 2020, 9:53am Amazing and imaginative depiction of spirituality and mental illness--makes you question whether they're all that different from each other.

I was so confused submitted by mtebo on June 23, 2022, 9:37am To be completely honest, I never knew what was going on. Interesting premise but poor execution.