Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Open Water

I don’t think I have the words to properly articulate how I feel towards this novel, that felt almost as much poetry as prose. I loved getting to know the UK Black perspective and I feel honoured to have found it.

Content Warnings

iamivypark's review against another edition

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challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Open water is a debut novel that follows the life of a young black photographer in East London and his relationship with another artist: a dancer. Their love is a slow burn. They meet in a pub at the wrong time. Watching their friendship develop and love simmer is an absolute pleasure.

LYRICAL. It reads like a song. The prose of this debut novel is stunning and embodies a melody & a rhythm. I am not a fan of the romance genre typically, but this was an amazing exploration of love that also felt like so much more than romance. It has emotional intensity. Examining systematic racism, black masculinity, crippling violence and trauma. It is emotionally intelligent, deep with reflection & thought. Vulnerability is at the heart of its beauty. The use of open water as a metaphor for his relationship - swimming, drowning, entering open water was truly phenomenal.

The suffocation of traumatic memories, constant vigilance & encounters with police is explored and it’s impacts on our protagonist and his relationships unearthed.

The book is in second person narrative and may take a little to get comfortable with the style. But once you’re in it’s rhythm, get ready for some mesmerising writing.

I will be looking out for more of Nelson’s writing 😍 highly recommend reading

Content Warnings

_candela's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

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m_autumnqueen's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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mskipsey's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Content Warnings

balkeyeston's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective tense 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? Yes

4.0

Normal People meets NW meets Moonlight = 💔

I would love to reread this via audiobook next time so I can just hear and sit with the poetry and rhythm of this writing.

What a beautiful book. If this debut novelist can include mention of essays by Teju Cole and describing the thick atmosphere of sound and music, then you can, too. Here’s hope to all the ambitious writers who want their stories told.

Content Warnings

leahvic95's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I was completely blown away by the beauty of this book, a breathtaking ode to the power and depths of love. There isn’t a page that is wasted in this novel, the entire story although short is completely immersive and heartbreaking in its conclusion. Sometimes a painful read hits close to home and allows the reader to reflect on their own role in society, the space we occupy and the mental health of young men. The undertone of art and culture is also highly enjoyable.

This is so much more than your run of the mill love story or romance, balancing the themes of deep and almost devastating love with the nuances of race and masculinity, racism in society and the impact of mental health on individuals and their communities. The lack of control the main character feels over his future is palpable, the fear he exhibits moving through London and even his life adds another heartbreaking element to the concept and moves the book beyond a sad story about love that doesn't always work out.

Content Warnings

kayleyhyde's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

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