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A review by chellareads
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
This is a love story not a romance.
It's Black and it's London.
It's raw and lyrical.
The second person POV won't suit everyone, and the poetic style of prose might pose a hurdle too, but it's worth persevering, if you find the style difficult. That said, it's not dense or difficult, but it is singular.
This is a startling debut, which sounds like one of those trite soundbites to sell a book, but in this case it's genuinely true.
This book cuts deep. It's about love, friendship, being Black in a world that looks at you without seeing you. But it's also about the hurt and fear carried and hidden by Black men and how that plays out for Black women.
This book is short, but it's saying so much. Highly recommend. It should be on literature reading lists. So good.
It's Black and it's London.
It's raw and lyrical.
The second person POV won't suit everyone, and the poetic style of prose might pose a hurdle too, but it's worth persevering, if you find the style difficult. That said, it's not dense or difficult, but it is singular.
This is a startling debut, which sounds like one of those trite soundbites to sell a book, but in this case it's genuinely true.
This book cuts deep. It's about love, friendship, being Black in a world that looks at you without seeing you. But it's also about the hurt and fear carried and hidden by Black men and how that plays out for Black women.
This book is short, but it's saying so much. Highly recommend. It should be on literature reading lists. So good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Police brutality and Panic attacks/disorders