Book Review: The Deep
I just finished this book, and Im still lost in my emotions.
It was such a beautiful read.
The best book I've read all year.
It was even more fitting reading this during Juneteenth. A time when black people celebrate our freedom in unity. River Solomon and Co have crafted a reality where that unity is divided by fear and pain. Where one person carries the weight of a people. Because those people don't know what it is like to live with that weight, naturally there is a divide. Naturally, Yetu was suspended in grief and loneliness. It is hard to see the beauty in your history when it is weighed down by trauma.
Sharing the rememberings gave Yetu the chance to be herself to make room for joy against the grief. The sharing of the pain also lead to the sharing of joy and her reconnection with her people and that is just the service of what this book has to say.
I recommend every black person read this book.
The Deep joins the elusive and sparse 6 Star Reads Club
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#bookrecommendations #fivestarbooks #juneteenth #Unity #blackgirlslemon8
If you're like me, diving into a new book often starts with a quick search online. When I first heard about 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon, I was immediately intrigued, and after reading it, I can say it totally lived up to the hype. This novella isn't just a story; it's an experience, born from the Hugo-nominated song of the same name by clipping. (which includes Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, and Jonathan Snipes – yes, that Daveed Diggs from Hamilton!). Knowing this background made me appreciate the lyrical quality of the prose even more. But before I even turned the first page, the cover art itself captivated me. I mean, seriously, have you seen 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon cover? It’s absolutely stunning and so deeply evocative of the story within. You see this incredible dark-skinned, mermaid-like figure, almost ethereal, swimming gracefully in deep blue water. What really caught my eye were the glowing spots on her skin, illuminating the dark depths around her. It hints at the bioluminescence of the ocean, but also, I felt, the inherent light and strength of the wajinru people she represents. Around her, you can discern the faint outlines of large, mysterious marine creatures – guardians or perhaps remnants of a past she carries. The deep blue water isn't just a background; it symbolizes the profound, often melancholic, history that the protagonist, Yetu, bears for her people. For me, the cover perfectly encapsulates the novel's themes of memory, heritage, and burden. Yetu, carrying the ancestral memories of her people, feels isolated in her role. The cover, with its solitary yet powerful figure, really brings that visual to life. It makes you wonder about the world beneath the waves, the history hidden there, and the weight of remembering. It's not just a pretty picture; it's a mood setter, drawing you into the aquatic world of the wajinru, descendants of pregnant African women thrown overboard during the transatlantic slave trade. When I was searching for more about 'The Deep' by Rivers Solomon, I found myself drawn to discussions about how the book uses speculative fiction to explore real-world trauma and the importance of collective memory. It's a powerful narrative that challenges you to think about how history, especially painful history, is preserved and shared. The author, Rivers Solomon, handles these sensitive themes with such grace and poetic language. It's truly a unique take on identity and belonging, wrapped in a beautiful, vivid mythology. If you're looking for a book that stays with you long after you've finished, one that makes you ponder the depths of human experience and the strength found in community, then 'The Deep' is absolutely one you need to add to your reading list. The way it weaves together the pain of the past with the hope for a future, all while immersing you in such a rich, watery world, is simply masterful. And honestly, don't just take my word for it. Go look up 'the deep rivers solomon cover' yourself and see if it doesn't instantly pull you in. It’s a work of art in itself, a perfect visual prelude to the literary journey that awaits inside. This book really resonated with me, especially thinking about the significance of Juneteenth and the ongoing journey towards understanding our collective histories.