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theblushbookworm'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
4.0
I enjoyed this character study of introspective Stephen over three summers. The son of Ghanaian immigrants to the UK, Stephen is sweet and musical. Azumah-Nelson’s writing style is musical as well, carrying a nice rhythm. Phrases are repeatedly used like the verses in a song. I particularly liked the phrase “two Black crowns”. I think that imagery is so beautiful. The second summer was my favorite, and the first summer was a bit dense for my preferences. But “Open Water” is an undeniably good book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Grief, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism and Violence
Minor: Colonisation
elizaob's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Police brutality, Death of parent, Racism, and Violence
alexdayhey'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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Slavery, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Death of parent, Deportation, Hate crime, Racism, and Violence
kirstym25'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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Police brutality
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abandonment
apmreads's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
5.0
Caleb Azumah Nelson does it again. If you were a fan of the prose of Open Water, but maybe you wanted less romance and more family dynamics explored, then this is the book.
Small Worlds follows Stephen over the course of the first three summers after he graduates high school as he navigates a relationship with his childhood best friend, Del, his first semester of college, growing pains with his father, and finding what brings him joy and purpose in life. Open Water explores community,--I truly, truly love how Nelson builds community in his books. They are warm, inviting, and a big hug wrapped in light--identity, love, family relationships, systemic racism and colonialism, immigration and the pressure of first generation immigrants living in a place where they aren't fully welcome.
I think I loved this book more than Open Water because the majority of Small Worlds was written in simple present tense, mainly following Stephen during a period of growth and transition. I enjoyed that Open Water was told as "You are doing this..." but I liked that only a small portion of Small Worlds did this (a chapter from Stephen's father's POV).
This was such an emotional experience for me, and I appreciate the concept of this story. The title, Small Worlds, referring to the small worlds each of us are living in every day. The little things we're going through every minute of every hour, some feeling or being harder than it may seem on the outside. And the prose is the same as you can expect from his previous work--repeated phrases that show up throughout the book that provide emphasis or gentle reminders or themes. It was stunning. I loved pretty much everything about this, and I will be thinking about it for a long, long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for giving me advanced reader access in exchange for an honest review. This title publishes July 18, 2023.
Small Worlds follows Stephen over the course of the first three summers after he graduates high school as he navigates a relationship with his childhood best friend, Del, his first semester of college, growing pains with his father, and finding what brings him joy and purpose in life. Open Water explores community,--I truly, truly love how Nelson builds community in his books. They are warm, inviting, and a big hug wrapped in light--identity, love, family relationships, systemic racism and colonialism, immigration and the pressure of first generation immigrants living in a place where they aren't fully welcome.
I think I loved this book more than Open Water because the majority of Small Worlds was written in simple present tense, mainly following Stephen during a period of growth and transition. I enjoyed that Open Water was told as "You are doing this..." but I liked that only a small portion of Small Worlds did this (a chapter from Stephen's father's POV).
This was such an emotional experience for me, and I appreciate the concept of this story. The title, Small Worlds, referring to the small worlds each of us are living in every day. The little things we're going through every minute of every hour, some feeling or being harder than it may seem on the outside. And the prose is the same as you can expect from his previous work--repeated phrases that show up throughout the book that provide emphasis or gentle reminders or themes. It was stunning. I loved pretty much everything about this, and I will be thinking about it for a long, long time.
Thank you to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for giving me advanced reader access in exchange for an honest review. This title publishes July 18, 2023.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, and Racism
Moderate: Police brutality, Violence, Colonisation, and Death of parent
velsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
5.0
Wow what a book! This story was absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking. It was my first book by the author and while I'm sitting here writing this review I have to admit I already broke my book buying ban and picked up Open Water the day after I finished this book. I need more of Caleb's writing! His writing style is truly amazing! He has a way with words I can't even begin to describe.
I loved to follow Stephen, see him grow throughout the story. Following his journey around friendship, love, family, grief and music. All descriptions of characters, places, food and memories were so vivid and detailed I felt like being there with him.
I got so emotional and I sobbed more than once. The chapter of Stephen's father broke me and put me back together. I will be thinking about this book for a very long time and I can't recommend this one enough. It definitely is one of my favourite books I have ever read so far.
Thank you very much Caleb Azumah Nelson, Grove Atlantic and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Grief, Death, and Violence
apersonallibrary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Racism, Violence, Death of parent, and Police brutality
Minor: Alcohol
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