A review by jade_baker
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
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.