Fluid Identities and Memories in Rivers Solomon's The Deep

In recent years, there has been a noticeable shift in the realm of speculative fantasy fiction towards incorporating contemporary issues, particularly those concerning marginalized communities. Popular speculative fiction has become increasingly interested in exploring the experiences of marginalized people and how they make their way through a world that is frequently hostile to them. Rivers Solomon, in her 2019 novella, The Deep, skilfully explores the ongoing struggle of marginalized communities to reconcile their past with their present and future. Through this exploration, this study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which postcolonialism interacts in creative narratives, particularly in speculative fantasy fiction. Set in a deep underwater society inhabited by the descendants of pregnant African women who were thrown overboard during the transatlantic slave trade, this work grapples with the lasting impact of this traumatic history on the fictional “Wajinru” community while highlighting the novel's historical context. The characters and their experiences highlight the marginalization and resistance of individuals who occupy liminal spaces, while its narrative structure disrupts dominant traditional narratives. The aim of this paper is to delve into the intricate process of identity formation within the context of generational trauma portrayed in the novella.