The Aquatics
Will be published approx. on 18. June 2026
Book
Hardback
368 pages
978-1-913175-76-4 (ISBN)
Description
In the fictional African state of Zambuena, Katme lives a life of privilege as the wife of a rising political figure. Her days are governed by appearances, loyalty and restraint, until her carefully ordered world begins to fracture.
Her closest confidant is Samy, a struggling artist whose work dares to expose the inequalities, repression and violence that underpin the regime. When his new exhibition draws the attention of the authorities, Samy's life is placed in immediate danger. Homosexuality is criminalised, dissent is punished, and silence is expected. As political pressure mounts, Katme is forced to confront the cost of her comfort and the limits of her complicity.
The Aquatics is a powerful, unsettling novel about friendship and betrayal, state violence and moral responsibility, written with the intensity and precision of an author deeply attuned to how power operates.
Her closest confidant is Samy, a struggling artist whose work dares to expose the inequalities, repression and violence that underpin the regime. When his new exhibition draws the attention of the authorities, Samy's life is placed in immediate danger. Homosexuality is criminalised, dissent is punished, and silence is expected. As political pressure mounts, Katme is forced to confront the cost of her comfort and the limits of her complicity.
The Aquatics is a powerful, unsettling novel about friendship and betrayal, state violence and moral responsibility, written with the intensity and precision of an author deeply attuned to how power operates.
Reviews / Votes
'Lewat pulls no punches in her depiction of virulent hatred toward queer people... This one hits hard.' - Publishers Weekly, Starred Review'The Aquatics is ultimately about the lies we are willing to tell ourselves.' - Chicago Review of Books
'Lewat has created a memorable character who alternates between moments of weakness and strength in a way that feels thoroughly human. She addresses themes of political corruption and homophobia with an incandescent anger... A promising first book from a writer to watch.' - Kirkus
'The Aquatics morphs quite quickly from satire to horror.' - The Continent
'Lewat's prose captures beauty and brutality while examining social constraints, corruption, and what it means to live truthfully.' - Laura Chanoux, Booklist
'With brilliant craft and courage, Osvalde Lewat's stunning novel confronts the urgent questions shaping contemporary African societies: social taboos and political corruption, friendship and family loyalty, women's submission and rebellion...A fierce and unflinching work that establishes a dazzling new literary voice.' - Fatin Abbas, author of Ghost Season
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 135 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-913175-76-4 (9781913175764)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Persons
Osvalde Lewat began her artistic career in documentary filmmaking and photography, and her photographs have been exhibited in Africa, Europe, and North America. Her documentary films have been broadcast by over seventy networks worldwide and have met with international critical acclaim. In 2012, she won the prestigious Peabody Award for her BBC television documentary, Land Rush.
Maren Baudet-Lackner is an American literary translator major imprints in the United Kingdom and United States. She is passionate about bringing exceptional works of literature by traditionally underrepresented authors to English-speaking readers. Maren holds advanced degrees from Yale University and the Sorbonne and lives near Paris with her family.
Maren Baudet-Lackner is an American literary translator major imprints in the United Kingdom and United States. She is passionate about bringing exceptional works of literature by traditionally underrepresented authors to English-speaking readers. Maren holds advanced degrees from Yale University and the Sorbonne and lives near Paris with her family.