Freshwater, a fresh voice
Akwaeke Emezi's stunning debut novel
Akwaeke Emezi’s Freshwater is garnering the kind of reviews usually reserved for long-established writers. This extraordinary, semi-autobiographical novel is the Nigerian writer’s stunning inauguration into the literary world.
Emezi tells the story of Ada, a troubled child born in southern Nigeria who is of deep concern to her parents. Things only get worse as Ada grows up into a violent, angry young woman with a multiple personality disorder. Like Emezi herself—she attended NYU—Ada leaves for the USA to study at an American college in Virginia, where a traumatic assault occurs, setting free her two distinct personalities, Asụghara and Saint Vincent. As these personas emerge, Ada withdraws, leaving this astronishing story to be told through the eyes of her separate selves.
We expect to hear a lot more from the talented Akwaeke Emezi. In the meantime, here are a few of the edited reviews for the writer of Freshwater.
“Emezi’s talent is undeniable. She brilliantly depicts the conflict raging in the “marble room” of Ada’s psyche, resulting in an impressive debut.”—Publishers Weekly
“She balances multiple lands, ethnicities, perspectives and belief systems with the ease of a writer far beyond her age and experience. Freshwater is a brutally beautiful rumination on consciousness and belief and a refreshing contribution to our literary landscape.”—bookpage.com
“I can’t believe this was a debut novel, because Emezi is already a master writer. I am a huge fan and will definitely be reading whatever she writes next.”—Adventures of a Bibliophile.
