Reviews

Pray by Caleb Azumah Nelson

greenmugsani's review

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

could be a s 5star read (as it always is with caleb azumah nelson's writings) if i were to read the story instead of listening to the audiobook 
[4.75 stars]

edit: reread and omg its just so unbelivably tender [5 stars]

shyster's review

reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

oceansunset's review against another edition

emotional sad

4.0

The focus is always on Cain killing his brother, and then Cain being killed by this same stone. But i'm sitting there today, thinking, who put the stone in his hand in the first place? I don't think we were born violent.

Only a powerful author such as Caleb Azumah Nelson can make me deel so much in a span of a few pages. There's always something so poignant and heartbreaking about how tenderly he writes. Definitely my favorite author now.

saff24's review

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.0

theghostintheattic's review

emotional fast-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? No

4.5

shelfofunread's review

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

hazzajazza's review

emotional 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

5.0

beccamac's review

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

3.5

emswood98's review

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? N/A

3.5

Pray was Nelson’s first published short story. It was reflective and Nelson’s lyrical writing, much like in Open Water, truly shines as the highlight of this story for me. 

It was emotive & packed a punch despite being tucked amongst ten pages. 

I’m new to Nelson’s work but looking forward to finding more.

tiatott's review

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0