The Deep

Octavia E. Butler meets Marvel's Black Panther in The Deep, a story rich with Afrofuturism, folklore, and the power of memory, inspired by the Hugo Award-nominated song "The Deep" from Daveed Diggs's rap group Clipping.

Yetu holds the memories for her people--water-dwelling descendants of pregnant African slave women thrown overboard by slave owners--who live idyllic lives in the deep. Their past, too traumatic to be remembered regularly is forgotten by everyone, save one--the historian. This demanding role has been bestowed on Yetu.

Yetu remembers for everyone, and the memories, painful and wonderful, traumatic and terrible and miraculous, are destroying her. And so, she flees to the surface escaping the memories, the expectations, and the responsibilities--and discovers a world her people left behind long ago.

Yetu will learn more than she ever expected about her own past--and about the future of her people. If they are all to survive, they'll need to reclaim the memories, reclaim their identity--and own who they really are.

The Deep is "a tour de force reorientation of the storytelling gaze...a superb, multilayered work," (Publishers Weekly, starred review) and a vividly original and uniquely affecting story inspired by a song produced by the rap group Clipping.

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192 pages

Average rating: 6.56

64 RATINGS

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7 REVIEWS

Community Reviews

Anonymous
Oct 30, 2023
10/10 stars
It is going to be hard to put my thoughts into words on this book. I loved this book. I got so into it, I had no idea that time even passed. The narration was very good as well.

The African slaves thrown overboard getting revenge by becoming 'mermaids' is what drew me in. I was hoping for vengeance. When I think of mermaids it is NOT cute, pretty, Disney-fied mermaids. They are pretty much as described in this book. I was glad I was wrong about the vengeance. This story was good, considering it based off a song.

This book is not just a fantastical mermaid story you may think it is. It is a story of the person forced into keeping the history of their people finally understanding that the history must be shared. It can't be left to one person. How will we learn? Why can they not be her own person like everyone else? The sacrifice of one so the others live in peace isn't always the best course of action. I also see this as the pressure from generation traditions, trauma, and expectations (I had so much of that due to the religion I was raised in as well as my German heritage). I would also love to know how Yuri influenced everyone once she could breathe underwater.

If folks where not so uptight in the American school system, I would say this would be a good book for Seniors (last year students) to read if it isn't already (I thankfully haven't had to deal with that trauma/drama in 20 years). It is thought provoking while teaching a couple lessons along the way - if your mind is open that is.
Maddieholmes
Aug 28, 2023
8/10 stars
Content warning for murder, enslavement, graphic descriptions, and related topics. I really enjoyed this novella. There were some incredible moments, especially in the beautiful writing. The setting is so atmospheric, and I loved the references to spoken word and oral histories. I really liked the ending, both for the Wajinru and for Yetu herself. I think my one question is what happened to Basta and those who were fighting? It felt like we switched back to Yetu and never found out the outcome of the battle. But nevertheless, I think this was an important book and I'm excited to discuss it with my book club.
Hartfullofbooks
Jul 20, 2023
8/10 stars
An intricate and beautifully written story about a mermaid, called Wajinru, that is forced to remember everything for her people. Unable to bear the pain of all these memories alone she flees and finds solace in a two-legs who helps her realize the importance of belonging. Alot of this story I don’t want to give away because the secrets are revealed as you go through Yetu’s rememberings. While focused on magical elements there is so much more to this novella then that and I highly recommend to anyone looking for something unique, lyrical, and moving.
E Clou
May 10, 2023
8/10 stars
Beautiful and unique fantasy story!
Melanin Empress
Feb 03, 2023
10/10 stars
Rich African mythology and history! Rivers does a fascinating job at combining the traumatic events of our ancestors transported from their homeland on the massive slave ships. She tells this history that not only honors them but out of tragedy something beautiful is created. This highlights our perseverance and our ability to survive despite the harm inflicted upon us.

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