159. The Deep, by Rivers Solomon - Review

[@deejai17]

I went into The Deep thinking I'd knock it out in one sitting and move on. But it ended up taking me a few days to get through because I was so immersed and feeling the weight of Yetu's duty. Overall I'm glad I went into it blind and it's one that I may reread sooner rather than later. I enjoyed Rivers' writing.

[@ONYXPages]

I think I'll be due for a re-read as well. I've heard that some folks have read it right after listening to the song. So, I may try that next time.

[@piggiebunnie]

I love these cowry shell reviews; so concise and informative! This novella is one of my favorite reads this year. I’d love for Solomon to write “the chronicles of the deep”, or some collection of short stories contained in this universe~

[@ONYXPages]

Lisa Hayden Oooh, yes! Please tweet that! I’m sure they’d love that feedback!

[@piggiebunnie]

ONYX Pages 📚🏳️‍🌈🇹🇹 Will do!

[@sarap.288]

I second that. I didn't want the story to end especially at the end.

[@ClaireRousseau]

I'm only watching this now after finally reading The Deep in July, I really enjoyed your take on it, thank you. Also I can't believe I didn't notice the story structure with the separate POVs through history mirrors the remembering ceremony! This was my first Rivers Solomon but I definitely want to read more now, it was a really beautiful book. I agree with you, the afterword discussing community storytelling was really interesting.

[@rooowtwx]

such a detailed review!

[@walkinthewoods981]

Have you ever one a bookshelf tour? I would love to see what’s on your bookshelves. Love your hair

[@ONYXPages]

Walkinthe Woods No I haven’t! What a great idea! A definite goal for 2020!

[@keilah4039]

"The Little Mermaid" is etched into my childhood like a monument. My father grew up on the north coast of Jamaica and, to this day, he's a man of the sea; I suppose exposing us to the Disney film was a way for him to share one of his great loves with us, his daughters. He's also a lover of books. I reckon that if we had stories like this back then about underwater worlds inhabited by mer-people of colour, Dad would have led us to them, as well . . . I'm hoping to read *Rise of the Jumbies* during Christmas break. If it's gorgeous cover artwork is any indication of where Baptiste will take us, it is to a fantastic sea world. Thanks for sharing , Njeri, as always! Gonna add *The Deep* to my Amazon wishlist. The cover art is stunning! (PS: If you haven't done any such video to date, perhaps you could consider producing a video about your favourite black sea world stories. If you have, do let me know what it's called and I'll look it up!)

[@ONYXPages]

Keilah Thank you for sharing about your dad! I didn’t know that The Jumbies was set underwater! Excited!

[@ThistleVerse]

Rise of the Jumbies is set underwater, and coincidentally also talks about the Middle Passage and memory. I thought Baptiste's underwater world was both beautiful and frightening.

[@keilah4039]

@@ThistleVerse I'm here for it!

[@trosetty2011]

I think this may have been my favorite book I read in 2020. I love when I keep thinking about a book months after I finish reading it, and this is definitely one of those. I listened to it (read by Daveed Diggs) and I only wish it'd been longer! Also: love your review structure! Excited to watch more of your videos. Thanks for the Nalo Hopkinson recommendation!

[@erinduncan1232]

Love this review, love the book. 🥰

[@barky2881]

EXCELLENT REVIEW! I finally got my hands on this book last week and devoured it in about 3 days

[@TheLiteraryParlour]

Awesome review hun, this book seems really intriguing. Thumbs up. Enjoy your week and Happy Holidays.

[@ONYXPages]

The Literary Parlour Thanks. For watching! You too!

[@MusicalTati]

I just finished & filmed my review before watching yours. I thoroughly enjoyed it! The perspective changes threw me a bit (a lot) but I went back & re-read those & it all fit so well after doing that!

[@ONYXPages]

Musical Tati Glad you enjoyed it. Did you also like an unkindness of ghosts?

[@CreativelyBria]

Loved this book. Loved this review. Just going to sit with my feelings and reread. Goodness. Appreciate what you do, Njeri.

[@ONYXPages]

Thank you!

[@rachelmaxwell1251]

Great Review! I recently finished the book, and I enjoyed the plot and character Yetu. When the points of view changed I got a little confused. This was my first science fiction so that might be why.

[@ONYXPages]

Thanks for commenting. You're not alone. Even seasoned SF readers found the shift in POV confusing. Once I surrendered to the current, it was fine with me!

[@TheShadesofOrange]

So what other mermaid books have you read by black authors? Me and my TBR are intrigued... !

[@ONYXPages]

TheShadesofOrange Booktube Channel Watch the video to the end ;)

[@BeautifullyBookishBethany]

Really great review! It's interesting because this is making me realize how much structural elements of a book influence my rating. I agree that a lot of this book was really beautiful and important, and I would recommend it to people as worth reading, even though I did find it to be choppy and wanted more from it. I believe I gave it 3.5 stars, but I wish I had a better way in terms of rating to distinguish between books that are just mediocre altogether and books that have a lot of value but also things that I want to critique. Worth thinking about!

[@sydneyhubbard7964]

So excited to read this book!!!

[@Comfycozyup]

Great review! I'll give Rivers Solomon another go. Thanks :)

[@ONYXPages]

Comfycozyup please do!

[@sharondaisadora]

I was kinda on the fence about adding this one to my read list but you just changed that. Adding it! Awesome review ;)

[@ONYXPages]

Honestly, anything by Rivers Solomon is a must-read.

[@marysherman2493]

This is excellent movie material. I enjoyed it very much

[@BookieCharm]

Great review! 🧜🏿‍♀️ I loved this book too!

[@ThatsSoPoe]

So excited about this! I'm glad it was as good as it promised to be.

[@ONYXPages]

Me too. Although, I had no doubts, TBH!

[@marshunnaclark5829]

Oh shidd!!! This is on my TBR list.!!!

[@ONYXPages]

Enjoy it!

[@marshunnaclark5829]

@@ONYXPages Thank you!

[@DontHaveaDegreeinReading]

I finished The Deep a few days ago and thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@ONYXPages]

Glad to hear! I look forward to your review!

[@vamps_rock]

Great review, I can't wait to get this one out from my library. Something I read recently that you may be interested in is Slave Ship Rising by L.L. Farmer which is a fantastic multi-generational magical tale of revenge based on a real-life event that occurred in 1738. TFS :)

[@ONYXPages]

Hey! Thanks for commenting and thanks for the rec!

[@vamps_rock]

@@ONYXPages :)

[@julissachetty5920]

Can you please do an audiobook of the novel "the deep".. I would really appreciate it. I can't seem to find it on KZbin

[@ONYXPages]

Are you asking me to read the entire novella and record it … for free … just for you? I’m asking for clarity.

[@julissachetty5920]

@@ONYXPages yes please 🙏🥺

[@ONYXPages]

No.

[@ONYXPages]

More: 1. That would be illegal. 2. #1 is a full answer. Even if it weren’t illegal, the request is breathtaking in its entitlement to my time and labour. Take some time to reflect on what you’ve asked of me.

[@julissachetty5920]

@@ONYXPages I noticed that a lot of people post audiobooks on KZbin and I thought you were able to do that. It's clear that you're unable to do so and it's all good

[@tinminutebookreviews5126]

We enjoyed the book due to its lack of magic and abundance of science. The romance seemed a bit ill-formed though, and the ending didn't jive with the rest of the book, but overall, it was a good read.

[@ONYXPages]

Insightful. Post a link to your review, I’d love to watch it.

[@tinminutebookreviews5126]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaO2Ypt4qpqbfZo

[@hamiltonholidays5293]

Daveed Diggs!!