A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid Summary
Overview of A Study in Drowning
In Ava Reid's #1 NYT bestseller, a dark academic fantasy questions who truly authors our stories. What if Shakespeare wasn't Shakespeare? This feminist gothic thriller - inspired by Zelda Fitzgerald's erasure - has readers obsessed with its atmospheric Welsh mythology and haunting revelations.
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Key takeaways
Between Fantasy and Reality: A Haunted Legacy
In a world where the line between fiction and reality blurs like mist over troubled waters, we meet Euphemia "Effy" Sayre-the only female architecture student at her prestigious Northern college. When she discovers an opportunity to design a manor for the family of Llyr's beloved national author, Emrys Myrddin, what begins as a professional opportunity spirals into a dangerous descent into secrets, identity, and the power of storytelling. The stakes couldn't be higher for Effy. Facing constant prejudice as the only woman in her program, she sees the Hiraeth Manor project as her salvation. But when she arrives in the mysterious Bottom Hundred region, she finds herself in a decaying guest cottage near a manor literally sinking into the sea. The inscription above Myrddin's flooded basement-"The only enemy is the sea"-becomes increasingly ominous as she discovers the house holds secrets far darker than water damage. What makes this journey so compelling is how it mirrors our own struggles with identity. Like Effy, we often build our sense of self around stories we believe to be true. But what happens when those foundational narratives begin to crumble? As she wades deeper into Myrddin's legacy, she'll be forced to question everything-including her own perceptions of reality.
Ghosts of the Past
Literary Detectives
Dangerous Waters
Uncovering the Truth
The Fairy King's Vessel
Reclaiming Her Story
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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