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A review by justabooklovingmum
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
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
My thoughts ðŸ’
If I had to describe It in three words it would be- tender, poetic, intimate.
It is a phenomenal debut novel that in just under 150 pages, knocks you out with its beauty and packs in a punch.
The prose is exquisite. I literally could quote the whole book- each sentence has been written in such a beautiful, intimate and thoughtful way.
For such a short novel, it is also fantastically multilayered, but doesn’t at all feel rushed and everything is conveyed perfectly.
On the surface, it is a tender and intimate love story between two black young artists, living in London, trying to make their mark in a city where many look at them but don’t really see them.
But it is also a powerful and vulnerable portrayal of masculinity and a vivid and at times heartbreaking account of what it is like to be a black man in London.
What stood out mostly to me was the sense of place and time, I felt like I was walking the streets of London, like I could hear the ever present music.
Another striking part, was the use of the second person perspective. Although, it took me a minute to adjust, it really worked beautifully to bring us right into the story and really allowed me to see through their eyes, to really feel all the emotions and connect with the main characters and their story.
It is a stunning read and one that made me feel and think and that has left a lasting impression and I will be recommending to everyone!
Thank to @netgalley and @groveatlantic for an E-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review
If I had to describe It in three words it would be- tender, poetic, intimate.
It is a phenomenal debut novel that in just under 150 pages, knocks you out with its beauty and packs in a punch.
The prose is exquisite. I literally could quote the whole book- each sentence has been written in such a beautiful, intimate and thoughtful way.
For such a short novel, it is also fantastically multilayered, but doesn’t at all feel rushed and everything is conveyed perfectly.
On the surface, it is a tender and intimate love story between two black young artists, living in London, trying to make their mark in a city where many look at them but don’t really see them.
But it is also a powerful and vulnerable portrayal of masculinity and a vivid and at times heartbreaking account of what it is like to be a black man in London.
What stood out mostly to me was the sense of place and time, I felt like I was walking the streets of London, like I could hear the ever present music.
Another striking part, was the use of the second person perspective. Although, it took me a minute to adjust, it really worked beautifully to bring us right into the story and really allowed me to see through their eyes, to really feel all the emotions and connect with the main characters and their story.
It is a stunning read and one that made me feel and think and that has left a lasting impression and I will be recommending to everyone!
Thank to @netgalley and @groveatlantic for an E-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review