Winner of the Polari Prize 2023 Shortlisted for the Gordon Bowker Volcano Prize 'A gothic fairy tale, sublime in its creepiness' - Florence Welch Our Wives Under The Sea is the haunting novel from Julia Armfiled, the critically acclaimed author of Salt Slow. It's a story of falling in love, loss, grief, and what life there is in the deep, deep sea. Miri thinks she has got her wife back, when Leah finally returns after a deep sea mission that ended in catastrophe. But It soon becomes clear that Leah may have come back wrong. Whatever happened in that vessel, whatever it was they were supposed to be studying before they were stranded on the ocean floor, Leah has carried part of it with her, onto dry land and into their home. Memories of what they had before - the jokes they shared, the films they watched, all the small things that made Leah hers - only remind Miri of what she stands to lose. Living in the same space but suddenly separate, Miri comes to realize that the life that they had might be gone. 'A wonderful novel, deeply romantic and fabulously strange' - Sarah Waters, author of Ghost Wall 'Part bruisingly tender love story, part nerve-clanging submarine thriller' - The Times
Julia Armfield
Julia Armfield is a British writer known for her unique blend of horror, fantasy, and feminist themes in her work. Her most notable collection of short stories, "Salt Slow," has garnered critical acclaim for its haunting and atmospheric prose. Armfield's writing style is characterized by its exploration of the female experience, often delving into themes of identity, sexuality, and power dynamics. She has been praised for her ability to craft surreal and unsettling narratives that challenge traditional storytelling conventions. Armfield's impact on the literary genre has been significant, as she continues to push boundaries and redefine what it means to write in the speculative fiction genre.