Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

Our Wives Under the Sea

Author: Julia Armfield

Genre: Fiction, Weird

Format: Physical Purchase

Publish Date: July 2022

Read: March 2024

Favorite Quote: When something bad is actually happening, it's easy to underreact, because a part of you is wired to assume it isn't real. When you stop underreacting, the horror is unique because it is, unfortunately, endless.

Story Synopsis: After spending six months lost at sea in a submarine, Leah has returned to her home with her wife, Mira. Shortly after coming home, Mira notices Leah’s odd behavior: nosebleeds, day-long baths, insomnia. Desperate for answers, Mira tries to contact the company who hired Leah for the research expedition, but gets nowhere. As Leah’s symptoms progress, Mira grapples with supporting her wife through these changes and what true love really means.

Why does this book beguile? I’ve been reading a lot of “weird girl fiction,” and this definitely fits the bill. I read Our Wives Under the Sea in one sitting in a trance-like state. This novel, told from both Leah's and Mira’s perspectives and not in chronological order, is ultimately a beautiful love story. How far are we willing to go for those we love, and what are we willing to sacrifice?

Rating: 4.5/5

Link*: Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield

If you’re interested in this, read*: The Forest Brims Over by Maru Ayase