Reviews

Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson

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

alicewelly's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

5.0

daisysreading's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

abejeschnake's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

annekap's review

emotional reflective

4.5

This was beautiful, lyrical, read like a song. I loved the repetition of certain lines, it never got boring. I listened to this with the Spotify playlist in the background and highly recommend that - it really added to the feeling of a melodic flow. 

The story was slow but gentle. My favourite part was the chapters written about Stephen’s father. He spends the book leading up to it and it’s a beautiful glimpse into the struggles of emigration and parenting. I loved the switch into second person, it felt so intimate. 

Overall a beautiful novel, slow but sweet. Gorgeous writing. 

azza_bdwi's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

ehallas's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0