Our Wives Under the Sea

by Julia Armfield
Our Wives Under the Sea cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Literary Fiction
Technical:
  • ID: 985
  • Added: 2025-09-24
  • Updated: 2025-09-24
  • ISBN: 9781529017250
  • Publisher: Picador
  • Published: 2023-03-16
  • Formats: 33
  • Reviews: 3
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Our Wives Under the Sea is a gothic fairy tale that explores the depths of love, grief, and the unknown. Miri believes her wife Leah has returned from a catastrophic deep-sea mission, but something is terribly wrong. Leah has brought back an unsettling presence from the ocean's depths, altering their life together in ways Miri can't comprehend. As Miri struggles to hold onto the memories of their past, she realizes that the life they once shared may be irreparably lost. Winner of the Polari Prize 2023 and shortlisted for the Gordon Bowker Volcano Prize, this novel is praised for its sublime creepiness and tender romance. It blends elements of a love story with a chilling submarine thriller, creating a unique and haunting narrative that lingers long after the last page.

Reviews
Bookwormgirl · 2025-08-01
emotional 4.20

The book is emotional, sad, and all-consuming, yet it's a love story amidst a terrible situation that shouldn't be missed.

This reviewer found the book to be deeply emotional and all-consuming, with a powerful love story at its core. They acknowledge the sadness and difficulty of the situation portrayed but emphasize that the book is a must-read. The review highlights the novel's ability to capture the complexities of love and loss in a way that is both heart-wrenching and compelling.

Quick quotes

    This book is emotional, sad and all-consuming but not one that should be missed.

    It's a love story amidst a terrible situation.

    The book captures the complexities of love and loss in a way that is both heart-wrenching and compelling.

Books on the 747 · 2023-07-13
haunting 4.50

The book is described as aching, haunting, and surreal, with moments of unexpected humor. It explores themes of love, loss, and the surreal process of growing apart.

This reviewer found the book to be deeply moving and atmospheric, with a unique blend of haunting prose and unexpected moments of humor. They highlight the novel's ability to capture the surreal experience of a relationship falling apart, making it a poignant and memorable read. The review emphasizes the emotional depth and the way the story lingers in the reader's mind long after finishing it.

Quick quotes

    Our Wives Under the Sea is aching, it is haunting, it is surreal, it is a fantasy, it is in parts unexpectedly laugh out loud funny.

    The novel's strength lies in its ability to capture the surreal process of growing apart from our loved ones.

    The book is a haunting exploration of love, loss, and the unknown.

The Guardian · 2022-03-09
profound 4.00

The prose is haunting and filled with longing, making it a relatable exploration of collective fears and the Orpheus myth.

The reviewer praises the novel's haunting and earnest prose, which effectively conveys a sense of longing and collective fear. They draw parallels to the Orpheus myth, highlighting the novel's exploration of love and loss. The review suggests that the book is a profound and emotional journey that resonates deeply with readers.

Quick quotes

    The prose is haunting, breathtakingly earnest and filled with longing.

    We can all relate to the surreal process of growing apart from our loved ones.

    The novel is a profound and emotional journey that resonates deeply with readers.

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