fboschetti's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
bethantg's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
violetends's review against another edition
dark
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Read for my bookclub.
When I initially took Open Water out of my bookshelves and read the first pages, I felt annoyance over the star-crossed-lovers-esque direction the narrative seemed to take. Fortunately, I gave it a second shot, beginning from the first pages again. Having just finished it, on a rainy fall day, huddled under several blankets, I struggle to find words for what I just read.
The prose is breathtakingly beautiful and so powerful I felt myself shiver again and again as I reread paragraphs to grasp the beauty of these words. While I feel that this sentenced should be bold, underlined and however else stressed, I don't know how else to highlight how hauntingly beautiful this book is written. It is clear as day that Caleb Azumah Nelson writes poetry as well.
While I was initially annoyed with the idea to find myself reading yet another story of two people just looking at each other across a room and simply *knowing* they're made for each other, I quickly found myself accepting the sense of idealization and the overt focus the narrative has on this relationship for the majority of the time. I loved the tender way with which they continue to dance around each other while they figure each other as well as themselves out. I loved how their relationship is not necessarily one that needs labels and descriptors but how prevalent the idea of wordless communication through their bodies and gazes is. There is a playfulness and curiosity to the way in which this narrative portrayed them together that I felt myself connect with very well.
Open Water is not merely a story about love though. It's a story of Black love and Black lives. It is clear to me that many of the emotions and experiences described are nothing I can relate to and I'm fairly certain many specific feelings ascribed to the experience of music, interpersonal interactions and encounters with police as well as a racist society, flew over my head. And I think that's ok. I have the feeling this book is only partially written 'for me'. The protagonist (do we actually ever learn his name?) continously ponders over the difference between perceiving someone else and seeing them, the latter only ever ascribed to other Black characters. And this book very much feels like an attempt of this very seeing and being seen.
When I initially took Open Water out of my bookshelves and read the first pages, I felt annoyance over the star-crossed-lovers-esque direction the narrative seemed to take. Fortunately, I gave it a second shot, beginning from the first pages again. Having just finished it, on a rainy fall day, huddled under several blankets, I struggle to find words for what I just read.
The prose is breathtakingly beautiful and so powerful I felt myself shiver again and again as I reread paragraphs to grasp the beauty of these words. While I feel that this sentenced should be bold, underlined and however else stressed, I don't know how else to highlight how hauntingly beautiful this book is written. It is clear as day that Caleb Azumah Nelson writes poetry as well.
While I was initially annoyed with the idea to find myself reading yet another story of two people just looking at each other across a room and simply *knowing* they're made for each other, I quickly found myself accepting the sense of idealization and the overt focus the narrative has on this relationship for the majority of the time. I loved the tender way with which they continue to dance around each other while they figure each other as well as themselves out. I loved how their relationship is not necessarily one that needs labels and descriptors but how prevalent the idea of wordless communication through their bodies and gazes is. There is a playfulness and curiosity to the way in which this narrative portrayed them together that I felt myself connect with very well.
Open Water is not merely a story about love though. It's a story of Black love and Black lives. It is clear to me that many of the emotions and experiences described are nothing I can relate to and I'm fairly certain many specific feelings ascribed to the experience of music, interpersonal interactions and encounters with police as well as a racist society, flew over my head. And I think that's ok. I have the feeling this book is only partially written 'for me'. The protagonist (do we actually ever learn his name?) continously ponders over the difference between perceiving someone else and seeing them, the latter only ever ascribed to other Black characters. And this book very much feels like an attempt of this very seeing and being seen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Police brutality, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol
karalauryns's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
this book took me forever to read as it's that no-plot-just-vibes kind of book that I need to be in a specific mood to read. however: I'm pretty sure I highlighted half the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Violence
maria_k2000's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Gun violence, and Racism
christinaanna's review against another edition
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Alcohol, Drug use, and Police brutality
dafni'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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Death, and Police brutality
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
Reallly beautifully written
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Police brutality, and Racism
mollyb13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Though short in page number, this took me a while to get through but I enjoyed the slow journey overall! Caleb Azumah Nelson has a very lyrical and rhythmic way of writing, which mirrors the repeating themes of music and rhythm in the book. The author paints a story of being Black in London which is both beautiful and heartbreaking all at once. I had a bit of trouble getting used to the second person narration and found myself having to reread certain sections to figure out what was going on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol
kennedybullen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality