54 pages • 1 hour read
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240
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
In Julia Armfield’s debut novel Our Wives Under the Sea, main characters Miri and Leah tell the story of their relationship, and its end, through alternating narratives. Leah, a marine biologist, returns six months late from a deep-sea expedition trapped in a submarine, and her physical and emotional transformation strains their marriage. The novel depicts graphic body horror and death, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Mysterious
Melancholic
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Unnerving
87,420 ratings
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Julia Armfield's Our Wives Under the Sea receives praise for its poetic and haunting prose, as well as its poignant exploration of love and grief. Critics appreciate the unique blend of horror and romance, though some feel the narrative's slow pace may not appeal to all readers. Overall, it's a compelling, emotionally resonant read.
A reader who would enjoy Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield likely appreciates atmospheric and introspective storytelling with a blend of surrealism and emotional depth. Fans of Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman or Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado will find resonant themes and a captivating, eerie narrative.
87,420 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Leah
Miri's wife, who returns home silent and physically transformed after an ocean expedition. Her adventurous spirit is tempered by a grounding in science and her relationship with Miri serves as a central focus of their shared narrative.
240
Novel • Fiction
Contemporary
2022
Adult
18+ years
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