The Shape of Water

Summary:

Elisa Esposito spent her childhood in an orphanage, never feeling at home anywhere. Mute her whole life, Eliza has difficulty communicating and being understood by others. She struggles with her purpose in life; finding it difficult to take on her graveyard shift as a janitor at the Occam Aerospace Research Center day in and day out. Without Zelda, a fellow janitor, who doesn't mind that Elisa is mute because she can talk enough for the two of them, and Giles, her delightful and artistic neighbor, Elisa wouldn't be able to take it anymore. Until the day they bring in the asset.

Richard Strickland, a military man, husband, and father, treks through the treacherous Amazon to bring back a one of a kind, mythical creature: Deus Brânquia, an amphibious man who is raised to the level of god among living creatures. Strickland loses more than just men and time capturing the creature and bringing it to Occam. He loses his way of life, his sanity, and even a couple of fingers. He wants nothing more than to make Deus Brânquia pay for what has been done to him. But the Cold War battle between the U.S. and Russia is in full swing and the asset has a more important role to play.

No one is supposed to go into F1 but Elisa feels a pull she can't ignore. When she sees what Occam scientists are hiding, the creature who is both man and beast. When she makes eye contact, and feels her world begin to spin, she finds her purpose; her voice. She can no longer stay away.  


Fantasy Characteristics:

Setting: The landscape painted by del Toro and Kraus was excruciatingly detailed at times. The picture was very vivid, the world real enough that the magic of Deus Branquia gave another level to the experience.

Plot: The Shape of Water definitely had a typical fantasy plot. There was a force of good (Eliza) battling with a force of evil (Strickland). There wasn't a victory tied up in neat a bow; it was a struggle. Some would probably argue there really wasn't a victory at all. Eliza did however find her purpose and uncover her potential to be brave enough to fight for her loved ones.

Language: The language was beautiful, passionate, striking, and at times sickening. I have only read a handful of books that depict such a clear picture with words. It was remarkable.

Pace: The story started slowly, building a background for the characters, introducing their personalities. The pace didn't quicken until the second half, and even then it felt very slow at times.

Read-a-likes:

Winter Tide by Emrys Ruthanna
Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
Piranha by Clive Cussler