Dances entirely to its own tune. Full of heart but also intelligent and isn't shy about that (taking into consideration references to other works of art by black people). The language is really what sets this one apart.

Based on the advanced practice for "Open Water," I had high expectations. But unfortunately the informal second-person narrative did not connect me to the story. I did not feel like I was a character in the book, which I think is the point? Caleb Azumah Nelson does a nice job of describing the new feelings of a budding romance, but this one wasn't a page-turner.

A deep exploration of love, intimacy and sense of self, in a world thousand times more complex than my own.

Not being a writer myself means I lack the knowledge of the sheer amount of work, dedication and emotion that goes into a novel let alone a debut. This novel feels more than a debut it feels like a stake in the ground of 2020, the year that will likely define this decade, I couldn't think of a better book to read as we move into 2021 where the world looks so different but also facing the fight for so much more change. The intimate writing that felt like poetry covering the protagonist's experience is full of deep emotion and self. The intensity of emotion, love and vulnerability is reflected through the intensity of the writing creating a short read but a read I believe will nestle in your mind and appear when you need it.

We can all remember the first time we heard a song or an album and we knew it would mean something forever. The writer includes these moments throughout the book while also including other references to black writers, artists and more throughout this book. It creates a soundtrack for you, books to read to understand this book more, art to look up and see through the character's eyes. I loved these elements of the book, creating depth for your other senses.

Personally, I found the style of writing particularly difficult to adjust to and found myself falling in and out of it working for me. But when it worked, it was beautiful and raw. The style of writing also meant I struggled to work with the timeline, but that's on me because it in no way diminishes the beauty and importance of this book.

'Some days, this anger creates an ache so bad you struggle to move. Some days, the anger makes you feel ugly and undeserving of love and deserving of all that comes to you.'

'You came here to speak of what it means to love your best friend. A direct gaze. An honest man. You're searching for the words, but none will do. Ask: if flexing is being able to say the most with the least amount of words, is there a greater flex than love?'

This is not only a fantastic book to add to your shelves next year and read. This is a book that all of those who promised to stop, listen and learn during the height of the BLM movement should add to their list immediately.

I loved the strength of vision here - this lyric, circular, fragmented novel makes you read it in its own way, while at the same time yielding lots of slightly more conventional pleasures. If you're a sucker for romances between smart people set in London - the South Bank! Queuing up for food in an overly lit chip shop after a night out! Gigs in sweaty places! Wondering how long it's going to take to get back north or south (mostly south) even as you drag yourself further than all transport options! - this is better and more true-to-life than most books with such romances.

Caleb Azumah Nelson really captures that floaty, romantic, I'm-in-the-right-place feeling. He also addresses other bodily feelings, what it is to be a young black man in London, what it's like to be looked at and not seen, as the narrator says. The novella moves between these raw feelings and somehow melds them together, into a very compelling and often disconcerting read. Nelson imbues the reader with the same sense of disorientation, which for the narrator is an everyday experience. An exciting debut with a genuinely original voice.

Open Water is Caleb Azumah Nelson’s debut novel about two Black artists falling in and out of love in London. The book is written in second person narration so I think for me personally, it can take away from the story. In this case, however, it kind of works because the actual prose is quite lovely. There are run on sentences but I found myself highlighting so much of the book.

The book takes us on a journey of two friends becoming more and eventually collapsing. We see their awkwardness blossom into love and friendship. Within this love story, we catch glimpses of what it’s like to be living in a world as a Black man trying to come to terms with racism and police brutality. Our main character (AKA: the reader) struggles with this and tries to remain strong and brave. He refuses to show emotions and his vulnerability but this takes a toll on him. He is afraid of falling into a depression over the injustice he endures and begins to shut the world out, including his girlfriend.

If you can adjust to the writing of the story, I would recommend this as it is a slow build into emotions, insecurities, confusion, love, and so much more.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Grove Atlantic for the advanced copy of this book.

So moving and beautiful. A story about love. Falling in love, out of love. Just a wonderful wonderful read that I wanted to keep going.

Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to this story. I will say that the 2nd person narrative style wasn’t for me and turned me off but I was able to get through the story and I could really relate to the main character as he struggled with his Blackness and how it shaped his experiences. I would recommend this to others.