Picture a London-born storyteller who weaves the mundane with the uncanny, crafting tales that linger like sea mist—meet Julia Armfield! Born in 1990, this English author has captivated readers with her blend of literary fiction, subtle horror, and profound emotion. Her debut novel, Our Wives Under the Sea, and short story collection, Salt Slow, have earned her a place as a rising star in contemporary literature, celebrated for exploring women’s experiences with a haunting, poetic touch.
With a knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, Armfield’s stories delve into themes of love, loss, and transformation, often set against eerie backdrops like the ocean’s depths or sleepless cities. Her unique voice has garnered prestigious awards, including the White Review Short Story Prize and the Pushcart Prize, making her a must-read for fans of gothic and queer fiction.
The Making of Julia Armfield
Julia Armfield grew up in Cobham, Surrey, before returning to her birthplace of London, where she now lives with her wife and cat. Armed with a Master’s in Victorian Art and Literature from Royal Holloway University, she developed a fascination with the interplay of beauty and the grotesque—a theme that permeates her work. Her early career saw her dabbling in playwriting, but fiction became her true calling, with stories published in outlets like Granta and The White Review. Shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year in 2019, Armfield quickly established herself as a bold new voice.
Julia Armfield’s Unforgettable Stories
Armfield’s debut collection, Salt Slow (2019), is a mesmerizing set of short stories that explore women’s bodies and societal expectations through a lens of magical realism and gothic unease. From women turning into insects to cities plagued by insomnia, these tales pulse with isolation, obsession, and love. Critics, including China Miéville, praised its “melancholy, powerful, and poised” style, earning it nominations for the Polari Prize and Edge Hill Prize.
Her first novel, Our Wives Under the Sea (2022), is a haunting lesbian gothic tale about a marine biologist, Leah, who returns changed after a submarine mishap, and her wife, Miri, grappling with their unraveling marriage. Blending horror, romance, and grief, it won the Polari Prize in 2023 and was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Armfield’s second novel, Private Rites (2024), follows three sisters navigating queer love and family secrets in a rain-soaked, apocalyptic world, earning a longlisting for the inaugural Climate Fiction Prize.
Known for her cinematic prose and ability to merge tenderness with terror, Armfield draws inspiration from films as much as literature, crafting scenes that feel like stills from a moody art-house thriller. Her work resonates with readers for its emotional depth and unflinching look at intimacy and alienation.
Why Julia Armfield Matters
Julia Armfield’s impact lies in her ability to redefine literary horror and queer fiction, creating spaces where women’s stories—strange, raw, and deeply human—take center stage. Her exploration of the sea as a metaphor for forbidden desire and loss has struck a chord with readers and critics, earning her a devoted following. By blending genres, she challenges norms, offering fresh perspectives on love and identity in a world that often feels unstable.
Her work has also elevated the visibility of sapphic narratives, with Our Wives Under the Sea celebrated for its tender yet unsettling portrayal of a lesbian marriage. As a voice for the marginalized, Armfield’s stories remind us that even in the darkest depths, there’s beauty in the struggle to connect.
- Born: 1990, London, England
- Key Works: Salt Slow, Our Wives Under the Sea, Private Rites
- Awards: White Review Short Story Prize (2018), Pushcart Prize (2020), Polari Prize (2023)
Snag Our Wives Under the Sea and dive into Julia Armfield’s haunting, heartfelt world of literary horror and queer romance!