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virgcole398's review against another edition
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
Minor: Mental illness and Police brutality
florenceassetto's review
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Mental illness
claraandthebooks's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Moderate: Mental illness
katewhite77's review against another edition
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.
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
Moderate: Grief, Mental illness, Racism, and Death
christinaanna's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Police brutality, Racism, Mental illness, and Alcohol
maritareads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, and Mental illness
sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Racism, and Grief
Moderate: Mental illness
ginachapman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Mental illness, and Racism
emfield's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Murder, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, and Mental illness
discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.5
The phrase “open water” is used to describe both love and trauma in this beautifully-written story about the meeting and merging of two lives, which I find so fitting considering those are the book’s two main themes.
“You know that to love is both to swim and to drown. You know to love is to be a whole, partial, a joint, a fracture, a heart, a bone. It is to bleed and heal. It is to be in the world, honest. It is to place someone next to your beating heart, in the absolute darkness of your inner, and trust they will hold you close.” (Pg. 112)
This is a story that tackles the tenderness of love but also the terror of being truly seen. It’s a story about existing as a Black man, and the constant fear that any day could be your last when the world (especially the police) looks at you and sees something dangerous. It’s a story about masculinity, mental health, and the suppression of emotions. It’s a story about Black art, music, culture, and joy.
If you like your prose to flow like poetry, this is the love story for you. This was gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality
Minor: Gun violence