The Deep: A Novel Summary
Rivers Solomon

The Deep: A Novel Overview

In River Solomon's speculative novel The Deep, the wajinru are a class of sea creatures born of enslaved African women who were thrown overboard slave ships. Although their foremothers died, the wajinru continue to live on under water. Yetu is the newly appointed wajinru historian, and responsible for protecting the wajinru History. Despite the significance of the role, Yetu fears dying under its weight. She decides to flee her people and home in an effort to discover her true self. Her venture away from her people and History challenge and teach her. The novel explores themes including freedom, collectivity, and loneliness.