Scan barcode
noah_silver's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, and Racism
bookaholic_in_wonderland's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Racism
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
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
noahsingh's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Gun violence, Racism, Grief, and Death
alexa_chava's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Absolutely breathtaking. I don't usually like second person point of views but it really works here. The writing is so engrossing. Every chapter feels like a poem. It has moments where it really makes you sit and think, about yourself and about the world.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Police brutality
angievansprang's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
This author’s writing style is so lyrical and poetic, yet poignant. What a wonderful tribute to Black love and trauma and how the two irrevocably intertwine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Death
jessalex610's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I feel like I would appreciate this book more if i was in the mindset to really muse on the trauma that is being Black and masculine in society today. Very heavy, but i loved the poetic prose and the strong characters. Kinda wished we got to know the woman in this story more. Maybe some chapters from her perspective, and i feel like the story would be even stronger with the Black femme perspective. But overall, a really solid debut. Will be looking forward to the next thing Caleb writes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Death
Racism, microaggressions, the ever present fear of living in a Black body. Very heavy and emotional musings on racetvhnlyze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
A beautiful and poetic portrayal of raw emotions and vulnerability. The exploration of black british love, masculinity, hardships and systemic oppression were extremely moving and relatable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Death, and Racism
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