Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Open Water

Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

51 reviews

ko_rax's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

In the novel Open Water, the reader learns of the lived reality of the Black male body in modern society set against the backdrop of contemporary London.

"You hide your whole self away because sometimes you forget you haven't done anything wrong. Sometimes you forget there's nothing in your pockets. Sometimes you forget that to be you is to be unseen and unheard, or it is to be seen and heard in ways you did not ask for. Sometimes you forget to be you is to be a Black body, and not much else."

Whilst it took me a bit to get used to the second person pov, I have no other major "complains" concerning this novel. In fact, I believe that this stylistic choice benefitted it well, as it allowed the author to not only tell of the lived reality, but let it come alive in a way that I as a reader physically felt the experience. By no means will I, as a non-Black person, ever understand the full scope of what it means to be a Black man, and yet I am deeply grateful for having been granted insight.

Additionally, I want to compliment the prose. The words are chosen beautifully and paint a picture of emotion and trauma in a way so bittersweet that I was left in a thoughtful mood very often. I strongly believe this novel should be read by everyone.

"It's one thing to be looked at, and another to be seen."

Content Warnings

virgcole398's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective relaxing slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

florenceassetto's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

the way that love and blackness is talked about in this book is TRULY something special! honestly i felt so much for this characters knowing so little about them but the rawness and honestly of the emotion was something so so special. the inherent beauty of the words and feelings is brought out by the poeticism (real word?) of the writing and it is something so so special. i would recommend this book to everyone any time, it's honestly so beautiful in a kind of haunting way (i am yet to stop thinking about the tenderness of both words and feelings) and honestly this is a book i must own so next job is to buy it and have my own physical copy - perfect is a word i don't use often but this one i adore wholeheartedly

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claraandthebooks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Sehr sehr schön gewählte Worte, stilistisch besonders. Super informativ und interessant deshalb auch krass und erschreckend (s. Rassismus-Erfahrungen). Manchmal hat es sich gezogen. Ansonsten top, wunderschöne Liebesgeschichte, realistisch beschriebene Bindungsängste.

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katewhite77's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I Get Now Why This Book Is So Beloved.

The way it plays with language to convey meaning is exquisite.

I first started reading this book on the page but could not get into the rhythm of the narrative, and it languished on my 'currently reading' pile for months. However, yesterday, I switched formats to audio and just let Caleb's silky tones wash over me. I listened to the book in two sittings. I don't think this is the sort of book that you should stop start with as part of it's charm is the narrative beat Caleb has created.

The novel tells the story of an unconventional relationship and in so doing, covers themes such as racism, death, grief, and intergenerational trauma but does it in such a gentle, inventive, and beautiful way.

Content Warnings