Reviews tagging 'Mental illness'

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

58 reviews

katewhite77's review against another edition

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challenging reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I Get Now Why This Book Is So  Beloved.

The way it plays with language to convey meaning is exquisite. 

I first started reading this book on the page but could not get into the rhythm of the narrative, and it languished on my 'currently reading' pile for months. However, yesterday, I switched formats to audio and just let Caleb's silky tones wash over me. I listened to the book in two sittings. I don't think this is the sort of book that you should stop start with as part of it's charm is the narrative beat Caleb has created. 

The novel tells the story of an unconventional relationship and in so doing, covers themes such as racism, death, grief, and intergenerational trauma but does it in such a gentle, inventive, and beautiful way. 

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christinaanna's review against another edition

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dark 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

3.25


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maritareads's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0


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sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0


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ginachapman's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional fast-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

3.75


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emfield's review against another edition

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challenging 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

4.0


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discarded_dust_jacket's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

3.5

The phrase “open water” is used to describe both love and trauma in this beautifully-written story about the meeting and merging of two lives, which I find so fitting considering those are the book’s two main themes. 

“You know that to love is both to swim and to drown. You know to love is to be a whole, partial, a joint, a fracture, a heart, a bone. It is to bleed and heal. It is to be in the world, honest. It is to place someone next to your beating heart, in the absolute darkness of your inner, and trust they will hold you close.” (Pg. 112)

This is a story that tackles the tenderness of love but also the terror of being truly seen. It’s a story about existing as a Black man, and the constant fear that any day could be your last when the world (especially the police) looks at you and sees something dangerous. It’s a story about masculinity, mental health, and the suppression of emotions. It’s a story about Black art, music, culture, and joy.

If you like your prose to flow like poetry, this is the love story for you. This was gorgeous.

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dannythestreet's review against another edition

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dark 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

5.0

That must be one of the most beautiful things I've ever read

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lindseyhall44's review against another edition

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challenging emotional 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

Open Water was one of the most stunning books I have ever read. The prose felt like poetry, the exploration of race, masculinity, and love was extremely well done. 
While this is a love story, it does have incredibly hard topics to read, such as police brutality, so keep that it mind when picking it up! 
Ultimately, I look forward to returning to Open Water many times in my life, as well as seeing the future ahead of this talented author.

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thecatconstellation's review against another edition

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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? It's complicated

4.75

A beautifully written reflection on love, trauma, and Blackness. Steeped in references to music and art and using language as a precise tool, this is definitely a must read.

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