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A review by amyvl93
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
emotional
reflective
medium-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
2.5
Open Water is a really tricky book to rate and review - as it contains some really beautiful writing, wrapped around a central relationship I found hard to buy in to - and it's one of the most hyped contemporary novels out there.
The novel follows 'you' a young black British man living in South East London and working as a photographer who falls for a young black British woman studying between Dublin and London and wanting to be a dancer. It unpacks their relationship from friendship to something more, alongside the experience of being black in London and the world, trying to find a voice, and trying to find a sense of belonging.
As I mentioned, Nelson's writing is often really moving and I liked his depictions of London, of the different facets of masculinity and the way he wove references to music, literature and film throughout. However, the writing about love always kept me at something of a distance and at times felt overwrought - aside from their being a mutual attraction and connection this felt abstract on the page. I never quite got a grip on who 'she' was - and why there was an attraction and love there that was unlike any other. We are told frequently about the level of emotion that 'you' are experiencing, but this never quite connected with me as a reader.
Nelson is definitely a talented writer and I'd be interested in seeing what he continues to write - this just didn't quite work for me.
The novel follows 'you' a young black British man living in South East London and working as a photographer who falls for a young black British woman studying between Dublin and London and wanting to be a dancer. It unpacks their relationship from friendship to something more, alongside the experience of being black in London and the world, trying to find a voice, and trying to find a sense of belonging.
As I mentioned, Nelson's writing is often really moving and I liked his depictions of London, of the different facets of masculinity and the way he wove references to music, literature and film throughout. However, the writing about love always kept me at something of a distance and at times felt overwrought - aside from their being a mutual attraction and connection this felt abstract on the page. I never quite got a grip on who 'she' was - and why there was an attraction and love there that was unlike any other. We are told frequently about the level of emotion that 'you' are experiencing, but this never quite connected with me as a reader.
Nelson is definitely a talented writer and I'd be interested in seeing what he continues to write - this just didn't quite work for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, and Grief