nikola_di_skopo 's review for:

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

2.5

emotional sad slow-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

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A difficult read in general. The second-person writing style made it harder for me to connect. The prose is lyrical, almost esoteric, which feels unusual for such a modern setting. The first three quarters of the book focused on a young couple circling around each other, unable to fully express their feelings. It reminded me more of a romance novella from the early 1800s than something set in 2020, when people can be more open about intimacy. Reading about young artists in London spending their nights in bars and parties only made this contrast sharper. What finally caught my attention was the last part, when the focus shifts more toward racial discrimination, police brutality, and the frustrations of navigating life as a young Black man in Britain. That section carried more weight and actually became my favorite part of the book. Overall, it was just okay for me. I only enjoyed the final quarter, and the rest I struggled to get through.