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discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition
- 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
“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.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality
Minor: Gun violence
dannythestreet's review
- 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
Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Racism, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Classism, Death, Physical abuse, Mental illness, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Cursing, Drug use, and Medical content
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
While this is a love story, it does have incredibly hard topics to read, such as police brutality, so keep that it mind when picking it up!
Ultimately, I look forward to returning to Open Water many times in my life, as well as seeing the future ahead of this talented author.
Graphic: Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Death, Violence, Racism, and Grief
thecatconstellation's review
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Police brutality, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, and Blood
emilyrowanstudio's review against another edition
- 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
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.
Graphic: Death, Violence, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Grief and Mental illness
kayleyc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Moderate: Mental illness and Death
jennikreads's review against another edition
4.25
Graphic: Police brutality, Mental illness, Racism, and Grief
nialiversuch's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Death, Police brutality, Murder, Racism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Sexual content and Gun violence
thatenbyisisreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Murder, Racism, Violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness
marjoleinvanderspoel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
Moderate: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders