nerdy_book_mom's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Gun violence, Hate crime, and Racism
bvrealis's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Racism, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Xenophobia, and Death
5aru's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very poetically written, Open Water is a moving and well-executed study of a relationship between two marked bodies — bodies marked as Black in a British context, and hence deeply affected by the social perceptions of their Blackness. Nelson effectively illustrates just how deeply this fearful, constrained existence affects the psyche, delivering poignant social commentary while offering a deeply human and quite romantic portrayal of the slow-burn relationship between our two protagonists.
My main complaint is, however, precisely related to the writing style. The author uses a device based on repetition, which does effectively emphasize certain key themes and motifs throughout the novel, and at times also enhances the emotion of certain scenes. However, it is easy to misuse such devices, and this misuse quickly evidences itself: the novel reads repetitive, as some few sentences are recalled and called back again and again, reappearing in sometimes very quick succession (especially since this novella is really quite short). This seems unnecessary, less a poetic device than a "trying to reach the wordcount of an essay" type of situation. I do wish it hadn't been abused as much, though it does not by any means diminish the significance of the book's content.
My main complaint is, however, precisely related to the writing style. The author uses a device based on repetition, which does effectively emphasize certain key themes and motifs throughout the novel, and at times also enhances the emotion of certain scenes. However, it is easy to misuse such devices, and this misuse quickly evidences itself: the novel reads repetitive, as some few sentences are recalled and called back again and again, reappearing in sometimes very quick succession (especially since this novella is really quite short). This seems unnecessary, less a poetic device than a "trying to reach the wordcount of an essay" type of situation. I do wish it hadn't been abused as much, though it does not by any means diminish the significance of the book's content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Racism, Police brutality, and Grief
Moderate: Hate crime
thatenbyisisreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The constant battle of allowing oneself to be vulnerable in a world that hates you was written poetically in a way that made me take several moments to process. This book was so raw and honest, I highly recommend everyone to read this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Grief, Murder, Racism, Violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness
laurataylor's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Police brutality, Blood, Drug use, Gun violence, Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal death, Death, Grief, and Murder
jasminrain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This book is the most stunning piece of literature I've read over the past decade and I'd be suprised if it didn't become a modern classic. The storytelling is extraordinary - I have never read a book written so beautifully. It just feels like poetry in a shape of a novel. It deals with difficult topics and as such is not an easy read. But it portrays black manhood in a manner I've never seen before in literature. It's bittersweet, touching and just simply stunning. There's so much I've taken from this book and I'm already looking forward to reading it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Police brutality, and Gun violence
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Murder
field_pumpkin's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Police brutality, Grief, and Hate crime
Moderate: Alcohol
savvylit's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's not often that a debut features such a distinct and wholly original voice. In the case of Open Water, however, Nelson's unique voice shines from the very first page. The primary focus of this novel is a passionate, slow-burn romance. Our narrator experiences love at first sight and then gradually develops a devoted friendship with the unnamed woman. Their love is tender and realistic. The secondary focus is Black identity. Open Water's narrator frequently celebrates expressions of Black joy. In stark juxtaposition, he just as frequently laments being publicly seen as a body of color and not an individual.
This entire story is told in second-person, which lends the book an incredibly intimate quality. "You wish you had the words, no, you wish you had the courage to climb up from whatever pit you have fallen into, but right now, you do not." By addressing his audience as "you," Nelson puts the readers directly in the perspective of the narrator. This makes all of the ups and downs of Open Water all the more visceral -- it's like it's all happening to you.
Lastly, Nelson mentions a variety of songs and albums throughout the story. Music as connection, music as healing, music revealing the words you couldn't find... This thread of musicality fits the story so perfectly. Nelson's writing includes a fair amount of repetition. Repeated words and phrases lend the novel it's own rhythmic, lyrical quality. It's incredibly effective and unforgettable.
This entire story is told in second-person, which lends the book an incredibly intimate quality. "You wish you had the words, no, you wish you had the courage to climb up from whatever pit you have fallen into, but right now, you do not." By addressing his audience as "you," Nelson puts the readers directly in the perspective of the narrator. This makes all of the ups and downs of Open Water all the more visceral -- it's like it's all happening to you.
Lastly, Nelson mentions a variety of songs and albums throughout the story. Music as connection, music as healing, music revealing the words you couldn't find... This thread of musicality fits the story so perfectly. Nelson's writing includes a fair amount of repetition. Repeated words and phrases lend the novel it's own rhythmic, lyrical quality. It's incredibly effective and unforgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Hate crime, Alcohol, and Death
flowingleaves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Violence, and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime, Death, and Grief
serving_goffman's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
perfect, i‘m grateful to have read it.
the second person narration seemed so ambitious at first, but it really worked, and made you feel really immersed in the story and empathetic to the main characters. the writing is wonderfully lyrical and almost hypnotic in its use of repetition and metaphors. incredible meditations on putting feelings into words, and the black body on modern britain. joyful and sad in perfect balance, a breathtaking work of art and highly impactful and important read.
the second person narration seemed so ambitious at first, but it really worked, and made you feel really immersed in the story and empathetic to the main characters. the writing is wonderfully lyrical and almost hypnotic in its use of repetition and metaphors. incredible meditations on putting feelings into words, and the black body on modern britain. joyful and sad in perfect balance, a breathtaking work of art and highly impactful and important read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cultural appropriation, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Racism