A review by savvylit
Open Water, by Caleb Azumah Nelson
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.5
It's not often that a debut features such a distinct and wholly original voice. In the case of Open Water, however, Nelson's unique voice shines from the very first page. The primary focus of this novel is a passionate, slow-burn romance. Our narrator experiences love at first sight and then gradually develops a devoted friendship with the unnamed woman. Their love is tender and realistic. The secondary focus is Black identity. Open Water's narrator frequently celebrates expressions of Black joy. In stark juxtaposition, he just as frequently laments being publicly seen as a body of color and not an individual.
This entire story is told in second-person, which lends the book an incredibly intimate quality. "You wish you had the words, no, you wish you had the courage to climb up from whatever pit you have fallen into, but right now, you do not." By addressing his audience as "you," Nelson puts the readers directly in the perspective of the narrator. This makes all of the ups and downs of Open Water all the more visceral -- it's like it's all happening to you.
Lastly, Nelson mentions a variety of songs and albums throughout the story. Music as connection, music as healing, music revealing the words you couldn't find... This thread of musicality fits the story so perfectly. Nelson's writing includes a fair amount of repetition. Repeated words and phrases lend the novel it's own rhythmic, lyrical quality. It's incredibly effective and unforgettable.
This entire story is told in second-person, which lends the book an incredibly intimate quality. "You wish you had the words, no, you wish you had the courage to climb up from whatever pit you have fallen into, but right now, you do not." By addressing his audience as "you," Nelson puts the readers directly in the perspective of the narrator. This makes all of the ups and downs of Open Water all the more visceral -- it's like it's all happening to you.
Lastly, Nelson mentions a variety of songs and albums throughout the story. Music as connection, music as healing, music revealing the words you couldn't find... This thread of musicality fits the story so perfectly. Nelson's writing includes a fair amount of repetition. Repeated words and phrases lend the novel it's own rhythmic, lyrical quality. It's incredibly effective and unforgettable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Racism, Hate crime, Alcohol, and Death