gems_books's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
leksikality's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Don't pick up one of Caleb Azumah Nelson's books unless you know you have the time to read it all in one go, and then it with it afterwards letting the words soak through you.
Nelson writes in music and feeling, he writes so you plunge straight into the heart of another person so thoroughly the lines between you blur. He writes about all the things that never really get spoken out loud: about love, about family, about friendship, about duty, about being a man, about being vulnerable, about being Black. His writing epitomises everything that literature can be.
Nelson writes in music and feeling, he writes so you plunge straight into the heart of another person so thoroughly the lines between you blur. He writes about all the things that never really get spoken out loud: about love, about family, about friendship, about duty, about being a man, about being vulnerable, about being Black. His writing epitomises everything that literature can be.
homieloverfriendx's review against another edition
4.0
Such a poetic book - I cried so much and I loved it
unfriendly_black_reader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sandwiiche's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
wow. nelson is a masterful writer. his prose is absolutely gorgeous and reads like poetry.
this story is about the struggles of immigrant families, and how they strive to build a new place they can call home. it's a story about loss, the grievance of loved ones, but also the loss of purpose and connection. the story truly heroes the idea that when all else fails, when words cannot express one's thoughts and feelings, it is through the language of song and dance that allows one to voice their heart's truest emotions. it is the space created by music, by letting yourself get lost in the rhythm that gives an individual the opportunity to feel, to open their heart up to the wounds of the past, the joys of the present, and the hopes for the future. ultimately, it is a narrative about the journey to discovering one's identity whilst navigating the rollercoaster of life.
this story is about the struggles of immigrant families, and how they strive to build a new place they can call home. it's a story about loss, the grievance of loved ones, but also the loss of purpose and connection. the story truly heroes the idea that when all else fails, when words cannot express one's thoughts and feelings, it is through the language of song and dance that allows one to voice their heart's truest emotions. it is the space created by music, by letting yourself get lost in the rhythm that gives an individual the opportunity to feel, to open their heart up to the wounds of the past, the joys of the present, and the hopes for the future. ultimately, it is a narrative about the journey to discovering one's identity whilst navigating the rollercoaster of life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Police brutality, Drug use, Death, Alcohol, and Racism
stephaniefrost's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
anna_rosem's review against another edition
5.0
caleb azumah nelson writing another book that i would've retired after writing
jade_baker's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
I am speechless. As I sat listening to "Waiting in Vain" by Bob Marley in Caleb Azumah Nelson's playlist for the book, trying to pinpoint the reasons why I enjoyed this book so much.
This was just such a beautiful book and it was at its core, healing. He beautifully portrayed the human experience, how it is to lose so much but still live on. And how we find 'small worlds' in our communities and relationships, thread together by dancing and music.
I couldn't stop crying in the last 2 parts of the book and especially in the final chapter. But not just because of sadness and hopelessness but also joy and relief. Perhaps the topics Caleb covered so artfully in Small Worlds were too relatable. Migration, discrimination and racism, intergenerational trauma, grief but also feeling of freedom in dance and music and young love filled it's pages.
Let's just say, I will be listening to Caleb's playlist on repeat from now on, to relive the emotions and feelings his book left me with.
This was just such a beautiful book and it was at its core, healing. He beautifully portrayed the human experience, how it is to lose so much but still live on. And how we find 'small worlds' in our communities and relationships, thread together by dancing and music.
I couldn't stop crying in the last 2 parts of the book and especially in the final chapter. But not just because of sadness and hopelessness but also joy and relief. Perhaps the topics Caleb covered so artfully in Small Worlds were too relatable. Migration, discrimination and racism, intergenerational trauma, grief but also feeling of freedom in dance and music and young love filled it's pages.
Let's just say, I will be listening to Caleb's playlist on repeat from now on, to relive the emotions and feelings his book left me with.
eloise_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0