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brezzylovesbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
5.0
Wow. This is the first book I have fallen in love with since The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois in 2021.
Let’s get into it… Caleb’s extraordinary talent provides the emotional depth I crave in the books I enjoy. I was hooked by the prologue: “It was strangely quiet in the barbershop.” If you understand how culturally rich a Black barbershop is at any given time, you know.
Through the characters, I was able to research paintings and rap lyrics mentioned in this book, which made me feel closer to them and their experiences and the inexplicable emotions.
This love story consisted of safety. Feeling safe in relationships is not a hard task once you find someone who “sees” you, enveloping yourself in trust, vulnerabilities, and safety.
I enjoyed reading about his role in the family dynamics. I appreciated how his experiences are revealed throughout the book as you travel with the main character, who becomes comfortably uncomfortable confronting the traumas directly and indirectly experienced.
Caleb’s writing style is poetic but not challenging to understand. There were several short chapters and paragraphs that I reread because of how lyrical his writing felt to me.
The second-person narration involves you directly in the love story. The complexities of life come out seamlessly in his writing.
Let’s get into it… Caleb’s extraordinary talent provides the emotional depth I crave in the books I enjoy. I was hooked by the prologue: “It was strangely quiet in the barbershop.” If you understand how culturally rich a Black barbershop is at any given time, you know.
Through the characters, I was able to research paintings and rap lyrics mentioned in this book, which made me feel closer to them and their experiences and the inexplicable emotions.
This love story consisted of safety. Feeling safe in relationships is not a hard task once you find someone who “sees” you, enveloping yourself in trust, vulnerabilities, and safety.
I enjoyed reading about his role in the family dynamics. I appreciated how his experiences are revealed throughout the book as you travel with the main character, who becomes comfortably uncomfortable confronting the traumas directly and indirectly experienced.
Caleb’s writing style is poetic but not challenging to understand. There were several short chapters and paragraphs that I reread because of how lyrical his writing felt to me.
The second-person narration involves you directly in the love story. The complexities of life come out seamlessly in his writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Police brutality, and Car accident
amyvl93's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Open Water is a really tricky book to rate and review - as it contains some really beautiful writing, wrapped around a central relationship I found hard to buy in to - and it's one of the most hyped contemporary novels out there.
The novel follows 'you' a young black British man living in South East London and working as a photographer who falls for a young black British woman studying between Dublin and London and wanting to be a dancer. It unpacks their relationship from friendship to something more, alongside the experience of being black in London and the world, trying to find a voice, and trying to find a sense of belonging.
As I mentioned, Nelson's writing is often really moving and I liked his depictions of London, of the different facets of masculinity and the way he wove references to music, literature and film throughout. However, the writing about love always kept me at something of a distance and at times felt overwrought - aside from their being a mutual attraction and connection this felt abstract on the page. I never quite got a grip on who 'she' was - and why there was an attraction and love there that was unlike any other. We are told frequently about the level of emotion that 'you' are experiencing, but this never quite connected with me as a reader.
Nelson is definitely a talented writer and I'd be interested in seeing what he continues to write - this just didn't quite work for me.
The novel follows 'you' a young black British man living in South East London and working as a photographer who falls for a young black British woman studying between Dublin and London and wanting to be a dancer. It unpacks their relationship from friendship to something more, alongside the experience of being black in London and the world, trying to find a voice, and trying to find a sense of belonging.
As I mentioned, Nelson's writing is often really moving and I liked his depictions of London, of the different facets of masculinity and the way he wove references to music, literature and film throughout. However, the writing about love always kept me at something of a distance and at times felt overwrought - aside from their being a mutual attraction and connection this felt abstract on the page. I never quite got a grip on who 'she' was - and why there was an attraction and love there that was unlike any other. We are told frequently about the level of emotion that 'you' are experiencing, but this never quite connected with me as a reader.
Nelson is definitely a talented writer and I'd be interested in seeing what he continues to write - this just didn't quite work for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, and Grief
rain02's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Racism and Police brutality
Minor: Alcohol
abigail_r23's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
bisexualbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.5
“It is like you both dived into the open water, but you have resurfaced with her elsewhere. It is like you formed a joint only to fracture, only to break … It’s easier to hide in your own darkness, than to emerge, naked and vulnerable, blinking in your own light.”
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson is a poignant exploration of love, identity, and vulnerability through the lens of two young Black people in the UK. The novel’s unique use of second-person narration immerses readers in the emotional and psychological journey of an unnamed couple who are hesitant to fully embrace their feelings for each other. Nelson explores this dynamic with intimacy and immediacy, drawing readers into the couple's tentative dance around partnership.
The story centers on the narrator and his love interest, a dancer studying English literature in Dublin. Their connection is undeniable from the start, yet fraught with complications. The love interest's imminent return to Dublin fuels the narrator’s hesitancy, while her initial relationship with the narrator's friend, Samuel, adds another layer of tension. When she and Samuel break up, Samuel’s subsequent silence towards the narrator creates a barrier to their budding romance, reflecting the complexities of friendship and loyalty intertwined with emerging love.
Open Water aches with a curious desire, the kind that makes you want to swear off love if you can’t be together, even after only one date. Nelson masterfully elucidates the insufficiency of language to capture true feelings, portraying how the couple shares and explores each other’s favorite Black music, dancers, photography, and books. These shared cultural touchstones deepen their bond, highlighting the importance of Black art in their lives and relationship.
Nelson’s prose is both beautiful and brutal, perfectly capturing the narrator’s internal turmoil. The book poignantly illustrates the tension between longing and restraint that echoes between the couple. As the narrator and his love interest grapple with their identities and histories, they struggle to release control to the tender intimacy blossoming between them.
The relationship between the narrator and his love interest is not just a romantic journey but also a deeply personal quest to overcome a lifetime of racial trauma. Police violence and the constant threat of harm loom large, making it difficult for them to be present enough to develop and experience intimacy. Nelson’s depiction of this struggle is particularly powerful, probing the space between being seen and not being seen, and asking how implicated we are when someone fails to see us fully.
The writing style is introspective and lyrical, with a poetic cadence that evokes deep emotional resonance. The use of metaphor and vivid imagery creates a contemplative and intimate tone, allowing readers to connect deeply with the underlying emotions and themes. However, the second-person narration and the lack of names for the two main characters can feel slow to start and somewhat distancing initially. Despite this, the narrative picks up significantly around the 25% mark.
Though not all narrative threads come together perfectly by the end, and some may desire more clarity regarding the relationship’s outcome, Open Water remains a powerful and moving read. The gorgeous prose and Nelson’s ability to evoke profound emotions earn this book a strong 4.5 out of 5 stars.
📖 Recommended For: Readers who appreciate lyrical prose, those interested in exploring the complexities of love and identity, anyone who values stories centered on Black art and love, fans of Hanif Abdurraqib.
🔑 Key Themes: Desire and Vulnerability, Racial Trauma, Cultural Heritage and Identity, Love and Intimacy, Visibility and Invisibility.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Drug use, and Grief
ameliesbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Police brutality, and Grief
mohoes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
"You're weary. You're not without joy. But the pain is much, often."
Content Warnings
Minor: Police brutality
dacha's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Police brutality
Moderate: Mental illness
chellareads's review against another edition
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: Panic attacks/disorders and Police brutality
anglefish's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.75
Honestly, this book broke my heart in some places. It was trul beautifully written, I loved the mixing of poetry and prose.It made me slow down and really take my time in digesting what i'm reading. It's always a treat when a book is written in 2nd POV, they're so rare! With that, it allowed the author to make the choie of not telling us the main characters names. Deapite not knowing them, i still felt very connected to our characters. The love they shared felt so real and authentic and, at times, messy. I was sick asf after Daniel died and We push Her away as a result. Seriously, i was yelling at my phone 😭 Even with this book only being 160 pages, it was so impactful. I would definitely read this again and will be recommending this to my friends!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Death