Review – A Study in Drowning
The main plot of A study in Drowning is actually quite simple – two students are looking for the truth about the authorship of a recently deceased national author. But really, the story is about a young woman and her attempts to build the life she deserves.
At the start of the novel Effy’s dream is to study her favourite author, Myrddin; but women are not admitted to the Literature School. She has therefore settled for Architecture, where she is the only female student. She is close to failing her classes when she wins a competition to design a house honouring Myrddin – and is invited to the crumbling family manor to work on her blueprints. This is where she meets literature student Preston, who is suspicious of the legacy of the author and asks Effy for her help investigating him.
There were times where the book was frustrating to read. The answer to the authorship question is telegraphed early, and so seeing the students flailing around with their assumptions feels like more of a waste of time rather than any kind of commentary on those assumptions. There is also a rather Nancy Drew effect that every time they go looking for information they immediately find a clue marked ‘Clue’. As a mystery novel, it is not really successful.
As an atmospheric coming-of-age story, however, it excels. Effy’s personal journey is powerful, as she fights for her own agency. At the start of the book she is a very cowed person, who has suffered neglect and abuse and blames herself for her experiences. She feels haunted by the Fairy King of her favourite book, and has been told all her life that he is not real, to the point that her mother pressures her to take medication every time she has a vision.
Journeying to Hiraeth Manor and working to discover the truth about Myrddin and herself is cathartic for her. Effy makes active decisions and starts to push back when underestimated. At many times she takes the lead in the investigation and makes deductions Preston cannot, and throughout the book her confidence in herself grows.
It was refreshing to read a book that deals with the unfair treatment of women without resorting to gratuitous sexual violence. Effy’s worst experiences are in the past, and the writing is sensitive as she reflects and comes to terms with what has happened to her. The book examine issues around about consent and trauma without being misery porn. On the contrary, Effy’s emotional journey is gently heartwarming as she learns to accept her own feelings and be kind to herself.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
