Our Wives Under the Sea is the BEST book I've read in a long time and I just wanna talk about it

Submitted by Starlit-Sage t3_11dhmjz in books

I'll keep the main text up here spoiler free, but I'd love to talk about the ending if we use the spoiler tags below.

Leah is a diver who goes on a supposedly 3-week mission in a submarine but ends up being gone for 6 months instead. Miri is the wife she left behind. The novel begins from Miri's perspective after Leah's return... but Leah "came back wrong." The chapters alternate between Miri in the "present" and Leah in the "past" describing what happened in the submarine.

This book is classified as horror, and rightfully so, but don't go into it expecting to be scared in the traditional sense. Rather, it's a slow existential dread as you become more and more uncomfortable as the book continues.

Okay who else loved it? I don't think it's a book for everyone, and I can imagine someone being disappointed because they expected something different from a horror book. I'm interested to hear everyone's thoughts!

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Moos_Mumsy t1_ja8qbqw wrote

I can't say that I loved it, because I haven't read it. But based on this post, I think I want to.

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tinydinosaurs t1_ja8u0o0 wrote

I loved it. To me it was an allegory for being stuck in a relationship with someone, and you slowly realize you don't really know who they are anymore. It also felt like grieving someone still living, like with a degenerative disease. The writing was very beautiful but sad.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_ja8v89o wrote

yesss I also think it's an allegory for PTSD. Leah comes back with this experience she can't explain that has utterly changed her, and she's no longer able to connect with Miri (or anyone, really).

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Holiday_in_Carcosa t1_jab4el2 wrote

Today’s my birthday and I made a promise to myself to read more. Maybe I’ll buy this tomorrow as a late gift to myself.

This birthday fucking sucked lol so thank you for giving me something to look forward to. Sounds like it almost borders on cosmic horror which is definitely my favorite flavor of horror. Also love a good existential crisis. Plus PTSD? sounds like it was made for me. Thanks, OP!

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaeje38 wrote

I'm so sorry your birthday sucked! If you get it, I really hope you enjoy it!

It does feel very "cosmic horror" in that sublime sense of "unknowability" at the bottom of the sea....

The PTSD isn't overt, but it definitely feels like an allegory because Leah experienced this traumatic event and she can't go back to her normal life, and no one in her normal life can understand what she experienced.

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TangerineDream74 t1_ja9b7uw wrote

Agreed, I thought it was about grief over losing a loved one/seeing a relationship disintegrate over time and you know why but it still hurts. The ending was quite haunting. I really thought it was a beautiful book but not one I’d recommend for just anyone.

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Unlucky-Horror-9871 t1_ja9iu0i wrote

I THOUGHT I would love it, but I absolutely did not. I'm glad it was short so I only lost a couple of hours of my life to it.

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TheUnvanquishable t1_ja8vyh0 wrote

Well, I tried it, read the first pages, and I could not get into the story. All the prose reminded me too much of the female writer in the Tandem Story Writing Assignment joke. The one that started: >At first, Laurie couldn't decide which kind of tea she wanted. The camomile, which used to be her favorite for lazy evenings at home, now reminded her too much of Carl, who once said, in happier times, that he liked camomile.

I could not concentrate. I give you the first lines of the book so you all can judge:

>The deep sea is a haunted house: a place in which things that ought not to exist move about in the darkness. Unstill, is the word Leah uses, tilting her head to the side as if in answer to some sound, though the evening is quiet – dry hum of the road outside the window and little to draw the ear besides.

>“The ocean is unstill,” she says, “further down than you think. All the way to the bottom, things move.” She seldom talks this much or this fluently, legs crossed and gaze towards the window, the familiar slant of her expression, all her features slipping gently to the left.

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meghab1792 t1_ja951c4 wrote

I was interested in the concept but I don’t think I can get past this YA writing style.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_ja9qehe wrote

I'm curious as to what you mean by "YA writing style." It didn't feel that way at all to me, so my interpretation of "YA" must be different.

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manshamer t1_jabawyn wrote

To me, it's clunky and there are a handful of errors that affect flow and sentence structure (assuming the other poster transcribed correctly). Also, the use of 3rd person present tense is most common in YA. Of course this is just the first two paragraphs and personally I bet I could get used to it quickly.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaekkhy wrote

Ahh okay, I can see that. It's actually in first person, from Miri's perspective, but there isn't a chance for "I" yet because she's describing what Leah is saying and doing here at the beginning. Alternating chapters are from Leah's perspective in the submarine.

I don't have my copy next to me, but I think the first line is italicized and it's supposed to be something Leah just said.... I think "unstill" is also italicized to show that it's the word Leah says.

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CrispyCracklin t1_ja9gu3u wrote

Gotta admit, I like this. I've read about this book but haven't added it to my To Read list, until now.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_ja9qbso wrote

I really like the writing myself! To me, it doesn't have a "YA" feel at all because it's so slow paced. I'm not sure why it sounds "YA" to some people... because it's so descriptive, maybe?

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cinred t1_ja91kb6 wrote

Wow. I had to read this three times. Little too cute.

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kaldaka16 t1_jaah2y3 wrote

If that second stretch is the first lines of the book I'm quite intrigued.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaaivf6 wrote

Yes the second quote is the beginning of the book! I definitely loved the writing style personally.

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yesjellyfish t1_ja9ekky wrote

Thanks for posting this — you saved me some cash lol

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tedyasso t1_jaaevj5 wrote

I had to ditch The Measure over this, which bummed me out since I want to know what happens but couldn't stand the writing.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_ja9jz7k wrote

I was so confused at first because I didn't realize the first quote was from the joke and I was like, uh, there's no Laurie and Carl in the book! now I get it, lol

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hlks2010 t1_ja8qzy6 wrote

Meh. I did not love it, but did enjoy it. Definitely left me feeling dark.

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jeremydurrant t1_ja9ovp9 wrote

I literally just finished that one. I think I'll be thinking about that one for a while

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_gothicghost_ t1_ja9qwpq wrote

I loved it too! Excellent debut, I’m so excited for what Julia Armfield does next.

I absolutely adored the woven timelines of Miri attempting to connect with Leah post-return, Miri grieving the declining health of her mother, and Leah slowly revealing what happened under the sea. I love a good slow burn where speculative elements (a bit of soft sci-fi, fabulism, etc) are used as rhetorical vehicles to expose the literary themes of the story. Idk why but I just love books that utilize that structure/genre.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_ja9vuwy wrote

Yes, I feel like the "speculative literary" novel is just my sweet spot with books. I really want to read more books like this.

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laughtercramps t1_jaa6bq1 wrote

She has a short story collection called Salt Slow which I quite enjoyed!

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaejkvv wrote

I put this on hold from my library immediately after finishing Our Wives.

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bitterbuffaloheart t1_ja9w89l wrote

I DNF’d pretty shortly. I found the relationship part boring and I just wanted to know what happened underwater!

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaa551m wrote

Yeah I think that's fair and why it's not for everyone. I knew going into it that it was largely centered on their relationship, but if I was expecting a more traditional horror novel, I might've been disappointed.

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rapunzelconfess t1_jaavdni wrote

I did too about halfway. I was moving so slowly and I’ve read about what happens and I’m not upset I didn’t keep going. I wish I liked it though, very cool concept!

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stinkysoph t1_jaa3qwt wrote

i loved this! im personally very scared of the ocean so i liked the scary ocean aspect as well as the very real and fracturing relationship. it was very haunting and creepy and i have thought about it like every few weeks since reading it in the fall. really stuck with me.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaa4skm wrote

exactly! Just the thought of being on the bottom of the ocean is terrifying. I kind of think of space the same way (which is interesting because Miri gets on that forum for people roleplaying about their husbands in space). It's just this sense of... humans aren't really "supposed" to be here, and it's only due to relying heavily on technology that can easily malfunction that they're here.

That kind of relates to the ending as well. I feel like >!the "creature" Leah saw at the bottom of the ocean was one that humans were never "supposed" to encounter. Not evil, but terrifying, kind of like looking at a god. When Leah is transformed, it's like she can no longer live on earth among humans anymore because she experienced this "thing."!<

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Greessey t1_ja9g3ld wrote

I liked it, audiobook is solid

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_ja9jop1 wrote

I listened to the audiobook as well. I actually just bought a copy because I really wanted a hard copy!

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pipberries t1_jaabovo wrote

I loved this book so much! I’ve seen people class it as both literary fiction and horror. I wasn’t expecting to feel so sad and empty when I finished it lol I would love to read more stuff that’s similar. Salt Slow by the same author is also good if you like short stories — it’s kind of in the same vein as Carmen Maria Machado and Mariana Enríquez

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaaga4g wrote

Yes I put Salt Slow on hold at the library right after I finished, lol. It seems right up my alley. And YES love that comparison to Carmen Maria Machado... If Wives were a short story, I could see it being similar. I haven't read Mariana Enriquez but I'll have to check her out.

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bulbasaaaaaaur t1_jaac8v4 wrote

I really liked it. I read it right after having gone through some medical trauma that left me hospitalized for weeks after giving birth. I could really relate to the story. Even after coming home I was too sick to take a real part in raising my child for a few weeks, and I can imagine my husband felt a bit like Miri at times. Something so “normal” went so wrong that I came back a different person.

Thankfully I am much better now. But I had a strong connection to the book. How it conveyed love and loss was really powerful.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaag19y wrote

Oh my gosh, that sounds so traumatizing! I'm so sorry you had to go through that... but I can see how much you could relate to the book after dealing with those medical problems.

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Frosty_Mess_2265 t1_ja939r7 wrote

This sounds like such a baller concept, added to my TBR

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cmccormick t1_ja9ovx2 wrote

I love slow existential dread, will give it a try. I’d classify the southern reach trilogy as that as well, and the movie as closer to typical horror

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaa51mn wrote

I'll have to check out the southern reach trilogy!

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BestCatEva t1_ja9vebk wrote

Amazon says the book is only 240 pages long, so it’s like a novella? Or are they wrong (it happens)?

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kaysn t1_jabpjg1 wrote

If it’s that short, I can squeeze it in my reading pile. I’ve been intrigued by the premise. But I didn’t think I would have the time.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaejs9g wrote

Yes it's quite short! The audiobook took me about 6 hours to listen to at 1.5 speed. That's actually a lot slower than I usually listen to audiobooks but I wanted to savor every moment of this one.

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prktk t1_ja9iojy wrote

Read it a few weeks ago, and I agree that it was stunning!

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lacwabwa t1_jaa4mwf wrote

I really loved it too!! I felt for them both so much!

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Anzieizna t1_jaawpta wrote

I remember really liking it, I think I gave it 4/5 stars! The only reason it wasn't a 5 is because I'm not a big horror fan so it didn't blow me away, but even so it was incredibly enjoyable. I loved the way the author made the ocean so unsettling and dangerous. I have no fear of water but this made me hesitate to go swimming again.

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adeadlobster t1_jab4dvn wrote

I haven't even heard of it but your description gave me the urge to reserve it at my library

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AnxiousFicWriter t1_jabcv04 wrote

I think I just wasn’t a fan of Miri because I loved Leah’s chapters and her interactions with her team. That lessened my enjoyment as the story is about their relationship.

But there was a lot I did like! The imagery was evocative, and it was a good length for this kind of horror. We get enough pages to feel the build of dread as the past is revealed, but it also doesn’t overstay its welcome.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jael1zy wrote

Miri is honestly kind of unlikeable, tbh. I mean, in the way that most people would probably be unlikeable if we were subject to their every thought, lol.

I was always hungry for Leah's chapters because I was like "TELL US WHAT HAPPENED, DAMNIT" although I was also working on appreciating the description of their relationship.

I think I might appreciate Miri's section even more if I re-read it since I won't be intrigued about what happened in the submarine.

I love long books and I wasn't ready for this to be over... but I think I agree with you... I would probably like it a lot less if it were longer.

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juliabelleswain t1_jac8qw1 wrote

I’ve been thinking about trying it again. I got a copy from the library right after it came out, but at page 16 there was a binding error and it shifted to a multigenerational family saga. Hilarious but disappointing.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jael4pc wrote

hahaha what? That's hilarious but I would be so disappointed! That's bizarre, lol.

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juliabelleswain t1_jaelgq7 wrote

When I brought it back to the library they kind of acted like maybe the book was too complicated for me until I showed them. Incredible.

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Prestigious_Note2877 t1_jacpcqt wrote

Never read this, but I think I’ll have to. Sounds interesting lol

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SkittlesHurtMyTeeth t1_jadfcfy wrote

I LOVE THIS BOOK! So eerie and mysterious, and I found myself enjoying the flashbacks of Miri and Leah's relationship more than I expected. Their relationship just felt so real and lived-in, which made the story that much more emotional for me.

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Mishgrrrl t1_ja8v0zn wrote

I will add to TBR.

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spookyghosties t1_ja92v9i wrote

Going to the bookstore later. Thanks!! I'll update my comment in a week with a book review.

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mclardass t1_jaa4n9i wrote

One of the better books I read last year. Once I stopped thinking about the reasons and responses for the submersibles failure (and later events) and stuck with the motivations and allegory I really got into the characters.

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BuskaNFafner t1_jaaafvt wrote

I really liked it as well! It is one of the few books I purchased vs borrowed.

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaag3o7 wrote

same, I got the audiobook from the library originally and just bought a copy today!

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applepirates t1_jaapn8j wrote

My absolute favorite read in 2022! I love to see other people loving it.

I saw somebody else mention the Southern Reach trilogy by Jeff VanderMeer and I totally agree that there are similarities between those books and this one! Definitely check out Annihilation (the first book in the trilogy) if you want similar vibes!

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Starlit-Sage OP t1_jaekoxm wrote

Great! Someone else suggested Southern Reach but hadn't actually read Our Wives, so I'm so glad someone who has read both agrees because I immediately put Annihilation on hold from the library!

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