Freshwater

Written by Akwaeke Emezi

Narrated by Akwaeke Emezi

Feeling explodes through the language of this scalding novel, heralding the arrival of a fierce new literary voice.
Ada was born with one foot on the other side. Having prayed her into existence, her parents Saul and Saachi struggle to deal with the volatile and contradictory spirits peopling their troubled girl. When Ada comes of age and heads to college, the entities within her grow in power and agency. An assault leads to a crystallization of her selves: Asughara and Saint Vincent. As Ada fades into the background of her own mind and these selves - now protective, now hedonistic - seize control of Ada, her life spirals in a dark and dangerous direction. Narrated from the perspectives of the various selves within Ada, and based in the author's realities, Freshwater explores the metaphysics of identity and being.
“Sheer perfection: sexy, sensual, spiritual, wise. One of the most dazzling debuts I've ever read.” TAIYE SELASI Guardian Best Books 2017

• Language: English
• Publisher: W. F. Howes Ltd
• Release date: Dec 27, 2018
• ISBN: 9781528855198

Akwaeke Emezi

Akwaeke Emezi (they/them) is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Death of Vivek Oji, which was a finalist for the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and the PEN/Jean Stein Award; Pet, a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, a Walter Honor Book, and a Stonewall Honor Book; Freshwater, which was named a New York Times Notable Book and shortlisted for the PEN/Hemingway Award, the New Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award, the Lambda Literary Award, and the Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize; Dear Senthuran: A Black Spirit Memoir, which won the 2022 ALA Stonewall Prize for Best Nonfiction Book; and most recently, Content Warning: Everything, their debut poetry collection, and Bitter, their second young adult novel. Selected as a 5 Under 35 honoree by the National Book Foundation and featured on a Time cover as a Next Generation Leader, they are based in liminal spaces.

Reviews for Freshwater

[Neo Tsebe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing Amazing Amazing!! I’m buying this book for at least 3 people in the my life!! ❤️

[Elisa Tlfsse · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really really loved Emezi's writing style: she has such a talent for words, and every sentence was splendid and profound. I truly enjoyed this book!

[NN · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I sincerely don’t know what else to say except that this was incredible and I have never ready a book like this ever. I honestly don’t have words to describe how this book has left me feeling. First book by Akwaeke Emezi and I’m just…

[Sonnie · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I didn't like it as much. I would recommend to someone who loves mystery and mythological spirits

[Ene Audu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

My drowsy book from Emezi and I’m in awe of her storytelling. The way she captivated me from the first line till the very end of the book.

The last time w book held my attention like this was one of Chimamanda Adichie and I can see the influence there. Such a remarkable read, I look forward to reading other works from this author

[Quev · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was everything and more. A breathtaking piece of art