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eya_b's review against another edition
emotional
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Multiple truths do exist, and you do not have to be the sum of your traumas.
I've never been a fan of second person narratives but god this is so so beautifully written, not only that but it touches on so many important topics and it does it so effortlessly
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Death
niamh_p_delaney's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism and Violence
pamnc's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
autismandniamh's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Drug use, Car accident, Grief, Police brutality, Racism, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
teniamonet's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautifully written, raw, vulnerable and so impactful. I’m writing this review a whole seven days after I’ve finished this novel and I still can’t stop thinking about it. A refreshing perspective on the Black man and the complexities of their emotions!
The desire for connection due to the feeling of isolation while isolating oneself is one that is all to familiar to me. So many moments in this short story that made my heart ache.
I’m usually not a fan of second person narration, but it was fitting to tell this story. The narration choice made it more personal in a way, like I was there.
The desire for connection due to the feeling of isolation while isolating oneself is one that is all to familiar to me. So many moments in this short story that made my heart ache.
I’m usually not a fan of second person narration, but it was fitting to tell this story. The narration choice made it more personal in a way, like I was there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
dubious_little_creature's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality and Racism
niamhgray's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is beautiful and will grasp your attention and your soul in places you weren’t expecting. You will want to hold the characters close to comfort them but will be plagued by the fact that it’s both your world and even you yourself that create the reason behind them needing to be held. It’s a tough, emotional and poetic read that will ask you to reassess your day to day and ask you “when you look at someone are you really seeing them”?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality and Racism
ilovebooks1967's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Probably one of my favourite books of all time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Hate crime, and Police brutality
megansoetaert's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
Open Water is so beautiful. Even though it's such a short book, it took me a while to read because I just wanted to sit and savor every sentence. Caleb Azumah Nelson writes emotion so beautifully--the main character's emotions flow to you like you're his closest confidante. Each chapter has a purpose, and you feel it. Masculinity, Blackness (and being Black in england), family, love and intimacy, and mental health were central to his story. i loved it so so much, y'all. highly recommend <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, and Racism
sangsmiles's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Death