Reviews with content warning for Death - Open Water

If I was asked to review this story around the mid way point, it probably wouldn’t have been massively favourable. In fact, I came reasonably close to DNFing but in the last 70 pages, something happened. The core of the story unveiled itself, made itself known in a really profound way that I hadn’t expected. At just over 140 pages I hadn’t expected as much depth as I got from this book. It’s a touching and haunting look at the safety (or lack thereof) of black people amidst the persistent thrumming drumbeat of a system that is built to oppress and violate in equal turns. The second person narrative is so well considered and any reader can become engaged in the unease and feel everything that “you” are supposed to feel. I loved the protagonist and the rich storytelling was poetic, languid and sumptuous at points.

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kajasversion's review against another edition

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challenging dark hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.5

It truly is an good book, but still, with all the metaphors and discussions of emotions, i felt like it was lacking more depth. I can’t quite articulate what, but something was missing from the book to make it truly an amazing one. I would probably come back to it cuz the writting is exquisite.

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_ging's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.5

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helliepad's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.75

The prose was beautiful and I love the 2nd person POV. The story itself had a pulse like the music it metaphor'd the entire time. At first I was tired of these people dancing around the fact that they like each other (I can't stand torpe guys! Spit it out now!) but then I get to the point where they show a reason why he can't let himself be that vulnerable and it just made me feel things. Great story!!

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