Julia Armfield's Our Wives Under the Sea receives praise for its poetic and haunting prose, as well as its poignant exploration of love and grief. Critics appreciate the unique blend of horror and romance, though some feel the narrative's slow pace may not appeal to all readers. Overall, it's a compelling, emotionally resonant read.

A reader who would enjoy Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield likely appreciates atmospheric and introspective storytelling with a blend of surrealism and emotional depth. Fans of Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman or Her Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado will find resonant themes and a captivating, eerie narrative.

In Julia Armfield’s debut novel Our Wives Under the Sea, main characters Miri and Leah tell the story of their relationship, and its end, through alternating narratives. Leah, a marine biologist, returns six months late from a deep-sea expedition trapped in a submarine, and her physical and emotional transformation strains their marriage. The novel depicts graphic body horror and death, as well as mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Mysterious / Melancholic / Bittersweet / Contemplative / Unnerving

Julia Armfield

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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Study Guide

Before You Read

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Overview

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Our Wives Under the Sea Summary and Study Guide

Background

Our Wives Under the Sea Background

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 1: “Sunlight Zone”

Part 1 Our Wives Under the Sea Part 1 Summary & Analysis

Part 2: “Twilight Zone”

Part 2 Our Wives Under the Sea Part 2 Summary & Analysis

Part 3: “Midnight Zone”

Part 3 Our Wives Under the Sea Part 3 Summary & Analysis

Part 4: “Abyssal Zone”

Part 4 Our Wives Under the Sea Part 4 Summary & Analysis

Part 5: “Hadal Zone”

Part 5 Our Wives Under the Sea Part 5 Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

Our Wives Under the Sea Character Analysis

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Themes

Our Wives Under the Sea Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Our Wives Under the Sea Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

Our Wives Under the Sea Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

Our Wives Under the Sea Essay Topics

Our Wives Under the Sea

Before You Read

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Who Should Read Our Wives Under the Sea?

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