Reviews tagging 'Gun violence'

Freischwimmen by Caleb Azumah Nelson

74 reviews

mpeach's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Grief, and Classism

Moderate: Car accident and Alcohol

biobeetle's review against another edition

challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Grief, and Alcohol

Minor: Sexual content and Terminal illness

fengxin's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

i went into this book knowing absolutely nothing and i was very surprised, but delighted, to find out it's in second person pov. what a beautiful story, i never wanted it to end. the prose kept taking my breath away, i was highlighting one sentence in nearly every paragraph, or even whole paragraphs really. the immediate and yet organic chemistry between our two mains? beyond stunning. the romance was so tender, i adored every moment. the way the author wrote about race, prejudice, and all that comes with being black was just stunning and still very real. the repetition of certain phrases made the book even more beautiful in my opinion, the whole thing felt like a poem. the ending devastated me, this story made me feel every emotion under the book and i'm so grateful it exists and i was able to experience it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Police brutality, and Grief

ssolov's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, and Grief

Moderate: Gun violence

Minor: Slavery and Alcohol

sarah_js's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

A beautiful exploration of love, race, intimacy, and liberation. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality

sadhbhprice's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol

Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail

reminiscences's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Police brutality, Car accident, and Alcohol

revoli's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective tense fast-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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Blood, Police brutality, and Grief

autismandniamh's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Police brutality, Grief, Car accident, Cultural appropriation, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Sexual content

nhacco's review against another edition

challenging 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

3.25

I thought this would be a love story but it’s mainly a reflection on the frailty of Black men’s lives in a white society. It’s very important to read this perspective. I just chose the wrong timing to be reading about anxiety and fear of death, personally. Aside from theme, I found the style confusing and a bit disjointed. A lot of references and images that seem out of place to the reader - almost like reading poetry without the beautiful lyricism. Just felt a bit disconnected. And the love story dragged. For such a short book, it felt super long. Now onto the positives. A really realistic approach to the start of a relationship in the modern world. Also shows great appreciation for music and art in general, in a really captivating way. Recommend reading while listening to the Spotify playlist that is comes with. As a memoir/piece dedicated to someone, it’s nice. As a poetic piece on love, leaves something to be desired. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, Violence, and Police brutality