Julia’s writing is consistently lyrical and mesmerising, and I was really impressed with the way the narrative dealt with grief and that sense of aching loss.

It’s a creepy, haunting, twisting story about the sea and love. I really adored Salt Slow and have been very much looking forward to Julia Armfield’s first novel – I was relieved to find that this was easily as absorbing as I’d been hoping for. Our Wives Under the Sea is easily the best fiction I’ve read for a few months. This is definitely one that I will want to pick up a copy on publication day of March 3rd! This is a beautiful gothic novel of love, loss and grief and the secrets that lie hidden in the depths of the sea. There is a constant seen of claustrophobia and foreboding in those scenes in the submarine and that part whatever they encountered in their deep sea mission has resurfaced in Leah. The chapters that are told from Leah's perspective focus on the deep sea mission and what happened to them when they were stranded on the ocean floor for months. Miri is keen to help Leah recover but each day sees a little more of her slipping out of her grasp. This dual perspective novel is in part a sapphic love story with Miri telling the present day story of Leah's return and recounting the back story of their relationship and marriage. Leah is extremely withdrawn and spends much of her time in the bath, drinking salted water. This time, though Leah returned months later than originally scheduled after the expedition has gone catastrophically wrong and it becomes quickly apparent that the Leah who returned, isn't the same person who left. Miri is used to her wife Leah, a marine researcher, going on deep sea missions as part of her job. 'Part bruisingly tender love story, part nerve-clanging submarine thriller. Living in the same space but suddenly separate, Miri comes to realize that the life that they had might be gone. 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. To have the woman she loves back should mean a return to normal life, but Miri can feel Leah slipping from her grasp. 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. It soon becomes clear, though, that Leah may have come back wrong. Miri thinks she has got her wife back, when Leah finally returns after a deep sea mission that ended in catastrophe. It’s a story of falling in love, loss, grief, and what life there is in the deep, deep sea.

Our Wives Under The Sea is the debut novel from the critically acclaimed author of S alt Slow. Named as a book to look out for by Guardian, i-D, Autostraddle, Bustle, Good Housekeeping, Stylist and DAZED.

Our wives under the sea book