RaveWashington Independent Review of BooksThis lyrical debut speaks to the universality — and complexity — of love in its many forms ... A refreshingly poetic ode to Black love ... Nelson’s bold writing style — which includes leaving his main characters unnamed and using intimate, second-person narration — allows the reader to step directly into the story, embracing the familiarity of love rather than hiding from it ... From its opening lines, the novel’s casual construction is apparent. It reads like a story being told by an old friend, so much so that by its closing paragraphs, you can’t help but feel emotionally drained, as if you’ve experienced love and loss alongside the characters ... Open Water isn’t merely the story of two young Londoners. It’s everyone’s story ... Caleb Azumah Nelson has taken many risks in this promising first project, and most of them pay off.
