Yetu

Yetu is the main character of the novel. She is one of the wajinru people, a society of underwater “scaled and boned,” “fish creatures” who were born from the bodies of enslaved, pregnant African women thrown overboard slave ships (42). In the novel’s narrative present, Yetu is the wajinru historian. She was appointed by the previous historian, Basha, and chosen for the role because of “the sensitivity of her electroreceptors” (6). Although Basha trusted her capabilities, Yetu believes that Basha failed “to notice her finicky temperament,” a trait she fears has made her unfit to fulfill the historian role properly (6). Indeed, Yetu is unlike every historian who has preceded her. She is responsible for collecting, retaining, and protecting the History of her people. Unlike her predecessors, however, Yetu is deeply impacted by the painful nature of these memories. Her markedly sensitive spirit makes her susceptible to the emotions of...