Book Review: The Deep by Rivers Solomon

The Deep

by Rivers Solomon (Solomon)

 

This fantasy novella takes the horror and trauma of the transatlantic slave trade, and comes out the other side with human-descended, water-breathing life. These babies, initially cared for by other sea life, have grown and now have a society of their own in the depths of the ocean. Their lives are full of joy and freedom. However, the tragedies of their mothers’ lives need to be remembered, and there is one historian for the group who holds on to that burden. As she gets older, Yetu comes to realize that her responsibility is going to be the death of her. She needs to find a way to share the heavy burdens with the other wajinru.

 

With themes similar to Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score, this profound work unmasks the heart and soul in traumatized beings who perpetuate violence. Many of the characters do not realize they need to heal themselves, so we see generational trauma’s effects on micro and macro level relationships. The ocean setting just adds to the beauty and despair of these lives.

[ official The Deep page on the official Rivers Solomon web site ]

 

Recommended by Naomi S.
Eiseley and Williams Branch Libraries

 

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