Rivers Solomon's The Deep is praised for its imaginative storytelling and rich, evocative prose that deeply explores themes of memory, identity, and trauma. Critics highlight its unique premise and strong world-building, though some note that its intricate narrative can feel dense. Overall, it offers a powerful, thought-provoking read despite occasional complexities.

The reader who would enjoy The Deep by Rivers Solomon likely appreciates thought-provoking, speculative fiction with rich world-building and multidimensional characters. Fans of Octavia Butler's Kindred and Nnedi Okorafor's Who Fears Death will find the novel's exploration of identity, memory, and cultural heritage engaging and impactful.

In The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Yetu is the historian of a society of merfolk descended from pregnant enslaved women. Burdened by the collective memory of historical suffering, Yetu struggles to balance her duty to her people and her personal identity. Fleeing her role, she encounters two-legs and begins to rediscover herself, leading to a transformation in how her people handle their shared history. Themes of enslavement and historical trauma, racism, and mental health stressors are present.

Underwater communities / Non-specific future

Mysterious / Fantastical / Melancholic / Emotional / Contemplative

- The Deep by Rivers Solomon was inspired by a song of the same name from the experimental hip-hop group Clipping, which consists of rapper Daveed Diggs and producers William Hutson and Jonathan Snipes.
- The novella was nominated for the prestigious Hugo Award for Best Novella in 2020, highlighting its impact and recognition in the science fiction community.
- The Deep explores themes related to memory, history, and identity, reflecting Solomon's interest in using speculative fiction to address complex social issues.

**Yetu**  
A sensitive 34-year-old wajinru chosen to serve as her society's historian, struggling with the overwhelming burden of her people's memories and history.

**Amaba**  
Yetu’s mother and a figure of misunderstanding, representing Yetu’s tension with her family and community as they grapple with the historian's responsibilities.

**Nnenyo**  
An elder wajinru nearly 150 years old, known for his compassion and greater memory capacity, providing Yetu with the care and understanding she seeks.

**Waj**  
A historic figure who represents the wajinru's first encounter with humans, offering them language and inspiring their society's early structure.

**Aj**  
The second historian of the wajinru, symbolizing a new beginning and the complex nature of their history, born from an extraordinary event.

**Basha**  
A previous historian known for his passion and anger, leading to significant conflict within wajinru history due to his impassioned actions.

**Omju**  
A self-appointed leader seen in the Remembrance, whose traditionalism and conservatism clash with Basha's more radical ideas.

**Suka**  
A kind and observant two-leg woman who cares for Yetu and helps her gain self-awareness and insights into the human world.

**Oori**  
A two-leg woman with whom Yetu forms a deep connection, helping Yetu understand herself and her place within her own community and the world.

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