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A review by bookedupandbusy
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
4.0
4.5
This is a coming of age story that explores love, grief, black history, food, music, and a troubled father-son relationship. The story does not feel rushed and moves at a moderate and warm pace. The writing is lyrical and soft and the narratives are infused with music and food. From Craig David to Lauren Hill to Frank Ocean, nostalgia lives in this book.
We follow the main character Stephen, from London, right from his school prom, through to uni and work life, whilst he navigates relationships, friendships and his family dynamics. The author really knows how to write black love that is awkward love that is tense around the edges. Stephen’s encounters with his love interest Del, were exactly this!
The title of the book makes an early and frequent appearance, which I loved. I fully understood the different meanings of ‘Small Worlds’ especially when it came to loneliness and community, which are major themes throughout the story. A few phrases were constantly repeated throughout and began to feel like the chorus to the story, which I also loved.
The level of detail when Stephen goes to Ghana to visit the Cape Coast Castle was the icing on the cake for me. Black history and engaging with one’s roots felt full circle.
This is a coming of age story that explores love, grief, black history, food, music, and a troubled father-son relationship. The story does not feel rushed and moves at a moderate and warm pace. The writing is lyrical and soft and the narratives are infused with music and food. From Craig David to Lauren Hill to Frank Ocean, nostalgia lives in this book.
We follow the main character Stephen, from London, right from his school prom, through to uni and work life, whilst he navigates relationships, friendships and his family dynamics. The author really knows how to write black love that is awkward love that is tense around the edges. Stephen’s encounters with his love interest Del, were exactly this!
The title of the book makes an early and frequent appearance, which I loved. I fully understood the different meanings of ‘Small Worlds’ especially when it came to loneliness and community, which are major themes throughout the story. A few phrases were constantly repeated throughout and began to feel like the chorus to the story, which I also loved.
The level of detail when Stephen goes to Ghana to visit the Cape Coast Castle was the icing on the cake for me. Black history and engaging with one’s roots felt full circle.