Reviews

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

nicetsukki's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

4.5

jemosely's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Loved it

rinku's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Grief

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol

roxy_boettcher's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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? No

5.0

mon_star's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing 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

lyzus's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Really beautiful book. Similar to Open Water, the writing in this book is very emotional and the prose is a joy to read.

Any book that can make me cry is a good sign because it shows emotional investment 🫶 

I’m not sure if I think this book should have been longer or shorter, but the ending didn’t hit 100% - apart from that, stunning read 

claratwentyone's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

„Homo ye mi. Etomi.“ Hunger has taken me. I‘m tired to the depths of my being.

Caleb Azumah Nelson, you’re a genius. I loved Open Water and Small worlds is just as good, if not even better. Maybe because in some kind of way it hit close to home. „Small world“ could have been a relatively fast to medium paced read and because I knew I would love it I intentionally took the time to read slow and really immerse in this small world. I hope someone created a playlist featuring all the songs Caleb mentioned in his book!!!

We turn our mourning into movement.

genevieve_clerke's review against another edition

3.75

Overall I thought this was a good book and definitely had some memorable moments and passages. I particularly liked the exploration of the complicated relationship with his father and the exploration of loneliness. I did find sometimes it was overwritten and a little bit cheesy in its writing and it was a bit of a slow start before I felt invested in the characters.  

ladykillller's review

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

terranovanz's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful 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

4.0