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Reviews tagging 'Death'
Open Water: Winner of the Costa First Novel Award 2021 by Caleb Azumah Nelson
205 reviews
alexa_chava's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Absolutely breathtaking. I don't usually like second person point of views but it really works here. The writing is so engrossing. Every chapter feels like a poem. It has moments where it really makes you sit and think, about yourself and about the world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Police brutality
angievansprang's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4.75
This author’s writing style is so lyrical and poetic, yet poignant. What a wonderful tribute to Black love and trauma and how the two irrevocably intertwine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Death
jessalex610's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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
4.0
I feel like I would appreciate this book more if i was in the mindset to really muse on the trauma that is being Black and masculine in society today. Very heavy, but i loved the poetic prose and the strong characters. Kinda wished we got to know the woman in this story more. Maybe some chapters from her perspective, and i feel like the story would be even stronger with the Black femme perspective. But overall, a really solid debut. Will be looking forward to the next thing Caleb writes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Police brutality
Racism, microaggressions, the ever present fear of living in a Black body. Very heavy and emotional musings on racetvhnlyze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
A beautiful and poetic portrayal of raw emotions and vulnerability. The exploration of black british love, masculinity, hardships and systemic oppression were extremely moving and relatable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Police brutality
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
Open Water was one of the most stunning books I have ever read. The prose felt like poetry, the exploration of race, masculinity, and love was extremely well done.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief
sachairi's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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: Death and Racism
bvrealis's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, and Grief
thecatconstellation's review against another edition
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.75
A beautifully written reflection on love, trauma, and Blackness. Steeped in references to music and art and using language as a precise tool, this is definitely a must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Slavery, and Blood
emilyrowanstudio's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- 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
This booook 🤯🤯🤯
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality
Moderate: Mental illness and Grief
shelfofunread's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Death, Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol