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A review by emilyrowanstudio
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This booook 🤯🤯🤯
Truly one of the most beautiful and eye-opening books i've ever read. Equal parts a love story and the reality of being a young Black man in London. A book about race, masculinity, vulnerability, and being really seen by another person.
The book is written in the second person which takes a bit of getting used to, and it's without a doubt the most lyrical and poetically written prose i've ever read, and just enough at only 145 pages. The writing style won't be for everyone, but this is a really special book. It made me laugh, smile, wince, shake my head in anger, cry (almost). I really felt the possibility of love, and the pain of living, seeping through the pages. This book will stay with me for a very long time. If this sounds AT ALL up your street, I implore you to give it a go.
Truly one of the most beautiful and eye-opening books i've ever read. Equal parts a love story and the reality of being a young Black man in London. A book about race, masculinity, vulnerability, and being really seen by another person.
The book is written in the second person which takes a bit of getting used to, and it's without a doubt the most lyrical and poetically written prose i've ever read, and just enough at only 145 pages. The writing style won't be for everyone, but this is a really special book. It made me laugh, smile, wince, shake my head in anger, cry (almost). I really felt the possibility of love, and the pain of living, seeping through the pages. This book will stay with me for a very long time. If this sounds AT ALL up your street, I implore you to give it a go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief