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155
Novella • Fiction
Underwater Communities • Non-specific future
2019
Adult
18+ years
In The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Yetu is the historian of a society of merfolk descended from pregnant enslaved women. Burdened by the collective memory of historical suffering, Yetu struggles to balance her duty to her people and her personal identity. Fleeing her role, she encounters two-legs and begins to rediscover herself, leading to a transformation in how her people handle their shared history. Themes of enslavement and historical trauma, racism, and mental health stressors are present.
Mysterious
Fantastical
Melancholic
Emotional
Contemplative
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Rivers Solomon's The Deep is praised for its imaginative storytelling and rich, evocative prose that deeply explores themes of memory, identity, and trauma. Critics highlight its unique premise and strong world-building, though some note that its intricate narrative can feel dense. Overall, it offers a powerful, thought-provoking read despite occasional complexities.
The reader who would enjoy The Deep by Rivers Solomon likely appreciates thought-provoking, speculative fiction with rich world-building and multidimensional characters. Fans of Octavia Butler's Kindred and Nnedi Okorafor's Who Fears Death will find the novel's exploration of identity, memory, and cultural heritage engaging and impactful.
38,131 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Amaba
Yetu’s mother and a figure of misunderstanding, representing Yetu’s tension with her family and community as they grapple with the historian's responsibilities.
Nnenyo
An elder wajinru nearly 150 years old, known for his compassion and greater memory capacity, providing Yetu with the care and understanding she seeks.
Waj
A historic figure who represents the wajinru's first encounter with humans, offering them language and inspiring their society's early structure.
Aj
The second historian of the wajinru, symbolizing a new beginning and the complex nature of their history, born from an extraordinary event.
Basha
A previous historian known for his passion and anger, leading to significant conflict within wajinru history due to his impassioned actions.
Omju
A self-appointed leader seen in the Remembrance, whose traditionalism and conservatism clash with Basha's more radical ideas.
Suka
A kind and observant two-leg woman who cares for Yetu and helps her gain self-awareness and insights into the human world.
Oori
A two-leg woman with whom Yetu forms a deep connection, helping Yetu understand herself and her place within her own community and the world.
155
Novella • Fiction
Underwater Communities • Non-specific future
2019
Adult
18+ years
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