A review by bisexualbookshelf
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

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.
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