Why I love. . . Our Wives Under the Sea

Pan Mac staff make the case for their favourite books. This month, Katie from the Communications team recommends Julia Armfield's debut novel.

Katie is a brand marketing executive for Macmillan Children's Books, working on campaigns for some of our brilliant children's authors. Here, though, she recommends a book aimed at her own age group: Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield.

Read it already? You'll find some related recommendations at the end of the piece, and on our literary fiction list.

Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield is a haunting exploration of love, loss, and the unknown, blurring reality with the otherworldly.

The book follows the dual perspectives of wives Miri and Leah. Leah returns home after being stranded at sea for six months on an underwater expedition, an experience which has left her profoundly changed, both physically and emotionally. Her wife, Miri, was left behind on land and has to grapple with the loneliness of how unrecognisable Leah has become, and is eventually forced to confront her fears about their uncertain future.

The narrative interweaves past and present through flashbacks, covering their life together before the expedition, the events that occurred during Leah’s time in the submarine, and the eerie aftermath of her return. Exploring a relationship altered by extraordinary circumstances, the story examines how we cling to those we love, even when they become strangers, and what lies at the bottom of the ocean.

Our Wives Under the Sea seamlessly combines different genres to create something completely original, blending the suspense of a psychological thriller, the eeriness of cosmic horror, and the emotional depth of a love story, to produce something both deeply unsettling and moving.

This book is a masterclass in mood and atmosphere which captivated me from its early pages. The dual perspectives of the characters reveal crucial pieces of information with perfect timing and I also loved that each section is named after the different zones or layers of the ocean, going deeper and deeper into the unknown. The commitment to detail throughout created an immersive and thrilling atmosphere from start to finish.

Armfield's writing is so beautiful and lyrical, which made it a joy to read and created so much depth. The characters of Leah and Miri are portrayed with such nuance that their love story and connection stands out amidst the mystery and horror elements.

The book leaves you with more questions than answers, and these have stayed with me long after having finished it.