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A review by iamivypark
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Open water is a debut novel that follows the life of a young black photographer in East London and his relationship with another artist: a dancer. Their love is a slow burn. They meet in a pub at the wrong time. Watching their friendship develop and love simmer is an absolute pleasure.
LYRICAL. It reads like a song. The prose of this debut novel is stunning and embodies a melody & a rhythm. I am not a fan of the romance genre typically, but this was an amazing exploration of love that also felt like so much more than romance. It has emotional intensity. Examining systematic racism, black masculinity, crippling violence and trauma. It is emotionally intelligent, deep with reflection & thought. Vulnerability is at the heart of its beauty. The use of open water as a metaphor for his relationship - swimming, drowning, entering open water was truly phenomenal.
The suffocation of traumatic memories, constant vigilance & encounters with police is explored and it’s impacts on our protagonist and his relationships unearthed.
The book is in second person narrative and may take a little to get comfortable with the style. But once you’re in it’s rhythm, get ready for some mesmerising writing.
I will be looking out for more of Nelson’s writing 😍 highly recommend reading
LYRICAL. It reads like a song. The prose of this debut novel is stunning and embodies a melody & a rhythm. I am not a fan of the romance genre typically, but this was an amazing exploration of love that also felt like so much more than romance. It has emotional intensity. Examining systematic racism, black masculinity, crippling violence and trauma. It is emotionally intelligent, deep with reflection & thought. Vulnerability is at the heart of its beauty. The use of open water as a metaphor for his relationship - swimming, drowning, entering open water was truly phenomenal.
The suffocation of traumatic memories, constant vigilance & encounters with police is explored and it’s impacts on our protagonist and his relationships unearthed.
The book is in second person narrative and may take a little to get comfortable with the style. But once you’re in it’s rhythm, get ready for some mesmerising writing.
I will be looking out for more of Nelson’s writing 😍 highly recommend reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Mental illness, Death, and Racism