Reviews with content warning for Police brutality - Open Water

I thought this would be a love story but it’s mainly a reflection on the frailty of Black men’s lives in a white society. It’s very important to read this perspective. I just chose the wrong timing to be reading about anxiety and fear of death, personally. Aside from theme, I found the style confusing and a bit disjointed. A lot of references and images that seem out of place to the reader - almost like reading poetry without the beautiful lyricism. Just felt a bit disconnected. And the love story dragged. For such a short book, it felt super long. Now onto the positives. A really realistic approach to the start of a relationship in the modern world. Also shows great appreciation for music and art in general, in a really captivating way. Recommend reading while listening to the Spotify playlist that is comes with. As a memoir/piece dedicated to someone, it’s nice. As a poetic piece on love, leaves something to be desired.

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peggy_racham's review against another edition

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5.0

"Ask: if flexing is being able to say the most in the least amount of words, is there a greater flex than love?"

Second person perspective, my beloved. Never have I read a love story quite so profound and beautifly written and also tragic.

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dinipandareads's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

"It's one thing to be looked at, and another to be seen."

I don't even know where to begin with this review. This was so beautifully written. I don't pick up much poetry but this often read like spoken word and it added more depth and movement to the writing. Although slow-paced, at 145 pages it still could've easily been read in a couple of hours, but I wanted to take my time to savour every moment with Azumah Nelson's stunning prose. It's deeply moving and written with such heart. I know that this will probably stick with me for a long time to come.

"Sometimes you forget that to be you is to be unseen and unheard, or it is to be seen and heard in ways you did not ask for. Sometimes you forget to be you is to be a Black body, and not much else."

Open Water is at turn an achingly tender romance and a heartbreakingly honest and eye-opening portrayal of what it means to occupy a Black body in a society that refuses to see you. Set against a backdrop of an improbable summer romance between two best friends falling madly in love, Azumah Nelson presents the slowly intertwining lives of our nameless narrators through various dichotomies, taking us from embracing joy, light, love, and hope, to being shadowed by anger, trauma, fear, and death. I loved how Azumah Nelson captured the intimacy of their romance and made it feel almost as if we were intruders in their tender love. Although there is so much joy and safety in their relationship, it is tempered by the racism and violence that surrounds their lives, particularly that of the male protagonist. This story is rich in themes and they are all done so well! The author explores what it means to love, be free, be seen, be honest, and be vulnerable enough to let someone see your ugly alongside your beauty. Unsurprisingly, the raw heart in this story had me crying buckets (ch. 27 wrecked me)!

"Indeed, what is a joint? What is a fracture? What is a break? Under what conditions does unconditional love become no more?"

I loved the joyous celebration of Black art and culture, particularly as experienced through music. It is a core part of these character's lives and it's woven through their connection. While reading I decided to check whether there was a playlist for this book and I found one prepared by the publisher—listening to the tracks while reading elevated my experience of this book and I highly recommend it if you can do so! Overall, this was a short, poignant and impactful story wrapped up in stunning writing that will keep you hooked until the last sentence and the very last word.

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stellahadz's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

5.0

What an absolutely gorgeous book. The writing is unique and poetic, and the main characters have depth to them despite not even having names. Open Water is a short book, but it packs a real emotional punch. Caleb Azumah Nelson captures the feeling of falling in love so beautifully; the story felt like it was being told through the memories of someone reliving their love. What kind of irony is it when an author writes so brilliantly about what happens when language fails us?

Side note: I loved all the references to Zadie Smith! I haven't read NW yet but added it to my TBR the second I saw it mentioned in this book.

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