A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid is a dark academic fantasy and Gothic mystery novel that follows an architecture student who wins a contest to redesign her favorite author's estate, where she unc
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A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid is a dark academic fantasy and Gothic mystery novel that follows an architecture student who wins a contest to redesign her favorite author's estate, where she uncovers dark secrets and the truth behind the author's famous fairy tale. The book explores themes of sexism, mental health, and the power of storytelling.
Summary
Effy Sayre, the only female architecture student at her university (which bars women from studying literature), has always believed in the Fairy King due to childhood visions. Her tattered copy of Angharad, an epic novel by the reclusive author Emrys Myrddin about a mortal girl who falls in love with and then destroys the Fairy King, is her only solace.
When Myrddin's family announces a contest to redesign his crumbling Hiraeth Manor on the coast, Effy sees it as destiny. Upon arrival, she encounters Preston Héloury, a literature scholar determined to expose Myrddin as a fraud. Initially rivals, Effy and Preston reluctantly work together, piecing through clues in Myrddin's letters, diaries, and unpublished drafts.
As the lines between reality and fantasy blur, with potential magical forces at play, they discover the truth: Myrddin did not write Angharad; his widow, Angharad herself, wrote the novel, but Myrddin took credit for it, erasing her voice and intellectual property. They also learn that a malevolent entity, the Fairy King, is real and is connected to the house and Myrddin's son. Ultimately, Effy and Preston expose the fraud, securing Angharad's legacy and a rightful place for Effy in the literature college, while overcoming the dark forces conspiring against them.
Key Themes
- Gender Dynamics and Systemic Discrimination: The novel deeply addresses the systemic sexism faced by women in academia and society, as seen in Effy being denied entry to the literature college and Angharad's work being stolen and credited to a man.
- The Power of Storytelling: The book is a "love letter to the very act of storytelling" and examines how stories can offer escape, healing, and shape personal and national identity. It highlights who gets to tell stories and who gets buried beneath them.
- The Variability of Truth: The narrative questions the nature of objective truth and how conflicting narratives and personal beliefs can blur the lines between fact and fiction, as Effy struggles with whether her visions of the Fairy King are real or a mental health condition.
Reviews and Opinions
- Atmosphere and Writing: Reviewers widely praise Reid's writing style as "lush and lyrical" and "achingly atmospheric," creating a chilling, gothic setting with strong imagery of water and decay.
- Characters and Relationships: The dynamic between Effy and Preston, which grows from rivals to lovers, is noted as a strong point, with their relationship central to the story without overpowering the main plot. Some critics found the main characters flawed or occasionally unlikeable, which can be an intentional choice for a grimdark audience.
- Plot and Pacing: The integration of the "story-within-a-story" (Angharad) is a highlight for many. While some reviewers found the plot and ending rushed, others felt the mystery was compelling and ultimately satisfying.
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