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Reviews tagging 'Violence'
Open Water: Winner of the Costa First Novel Award 2021 by Caleb Azumah Nelson
96 reviews
suchsweetsorrow89's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-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
3.0
i think that this book, as a benefit to the author, is one that i have yet to see quite like it in the 21st century. this tender love story deals so intimately with art, masculinity, and blackness in such a way that really questions human expression. this tender love story between two friends follows an almost episodic plot, with less of a timeline and more of an inner look into the main character's own life and how that changes when in the face of love. one thing that i thought was really powerful was the times in which the author spoke on masculinity and the construction of such when in a world that holds the black body in this strange position, one which constantly uses it at their disposal.
my critique of this story is the language. while i think it was certainly beautiful, it read like it was attempting to replicate baldwin's writing style to a t rather than trying to do its own thing. at times, i thought this made the language feel like it was trying too hard or was just too flowery without any real grounding. the second part is this: i was not a fan of the ending. though i do like that they did not end up together, i thought that the recognition of him being seen for him through her eyes was not strong. i really hoped that this construction of his identity is one that reflects the modern world-- as an ongoing process that, though can be affirmed through others, is a personal thing. idk i just wish that the ending were a bit more personal to him rather than ending through her own thoughts.
all in all, its a fine text and worth the read if you want a nice black love story
my critique of this story is the language. while i think it was certainly beautiful, it read like it was attempting to replicate baldwin's writing style to a t rather than trying to do its own thing. at times, i thought this made the language feel like it was trying too hard or was just too flowery without any real grounding. the second part is this:
all in all, its a fine text and worth the read if you want a nice black love story
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, and Racism
Minor: Death
siebensommer's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
you'll learn that kindness is rarely enough, but equipped with a certain knowledge and awareness, it can be
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Hate crime, Grief, and Violence
dannythestreet's review against another edition
dark
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
That must be one of the most beautiful things I've ever read
Content Warnings
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
chichio's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
I CANT EVEN PUT INTO WORDS HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS IT WAS PAINFUL AND POETIC AND RAW AND SO REAL THAT I FELT EVERY EMOTION OF OUR NARRATOR. I LOVED THE USE OF SECOND PERSON PRESENT TENSE—I DONT THINK IVE EVER READ ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY LIKE THIS BEFORE.
This book is such a fantastic look into the Black British experience, namely of Black men and their lives under constant scrutiny. Rather than being a romance story that pushes the idea that “love conquers all,” this book presents an exploration of what it means to accept vulnerability and the strength it takes to finally reach a hand out across open water and ask for help.
This book is such a fantastic look into the Black British experience, namely of Black men and their lives under constant scrutiny. Rather than being a romance story that pushes the idea that “love conquers all,” this book presents an exploration of what it means to accept vulnerability and the strength it takes to finally reach a hand out across open water and ask for help.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Police brutality
sashley98's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Violence
Moderate: Racism
ivulikkivulik's review against another edition
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, and Sexual content
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: Police brutality, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Death, Violence, Racism, and Grief
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: Violence, Grief, Racism, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Xenophobia, and Death
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: 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
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, Violence, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Grief and Mental illness