Freshwater: A Novel Summary
Akwaeke Emezi

Freshwater: A Novel Overview

A heart-wrenching exploration of the metaphysical aspects of one's identity, Akwaeke Emezi's novel Freshwater tells the story of Ada, a character Emezi describes as "a singular collective and plural individual" in an essay following the narrative. Freshwater depicts Ada's tumultuous journey from a troubled childhood in Nigeria to a volatile and traumatic adolescence attending college in the Northeastern United States, and the years beyond. Ada's primary feature is that she contains multiple selves, though it is true that she is also an immigrant, a survivor of rape, and a young woman of color. Told from the perspective of three distinct voices within Ada's complex and multi-faceted consciousness, Asughara, The We, and Ada herself, Freshwater traces Ada's journey toward understanding herself and the world around her through the lens of Igbo ontology. Within the pages of Freshwater, Emezi depicts themes such as gender identity, self-realization, and family bonds.