Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson: Book Review

The debut novel from British-Ghanaian writer, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Open Water is the story that every contemporary book lover is raving about. Framed by a glorious celebration of Black art and culture, this gem of a book deserves pride of place on your bookshelf.

The story follows two young Black Londoners, a photographer and a dancer, who are trying to both navigate the world and survive through it. Tentatively, tenderly, they fall in love. But fear and violence are determined to tear them apart. Written from a second person perspective, this is a stunning debut that looks at what it means to be defined as little more than a Black body in the twenty-first century. It's so beautifully powerful and compelling, you could take any one part of it and easily turn it into poetry. 

"You have always thought if you opened your mouth in open water you would drown, but if you didn't open your mouth you would suffocate. So here you are, drowning."

Open Water is the sort of novel that pelts you with atmosphere and emotion and never lets you forget what it did to you. It's intense, powerful and as much a commentary on toxic masculinity as it is on the black experience, both of which are expertly wrought. The author is unafraid of brutal honesty, and captures the essence of living in our fragile and formidable world as someone consistently labelled as 'other'. Especially for any non-POC readers, it provides a valuable education. 

What is particularly beautiful is how Azumah Nelson uses his book as a celebration of Blackness, referencing Black artists and musicians that have shaped the protagonist's life. Dizzee Rascal, Kendrik Lamar, and Zadie Smith feature alongside the film-maker Barry Jenkins and the painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye in moments of stunning tribute. The author rejoices in culture to create a setting that is both immersive and overwhelming, perfectly capturing the essence of London as it is bought to life with music and memories. An aspect not commonly explored in contemporary fiction, these references ground the narrative in the present day, rendering the later moments of conflict and friction particularly jarring. 

"Every time you remember something, the memory weakens, as you're remembering the last recollection, rather than the memory itself. Nothing can remain in tact. Still, it does not stop you wanting, does not stop you longing."

It was so refreshing to read about love and relationships from a male perspective, but this book also acts as a love letter to London and to Blackness itself. Azumah Nelson's writing style is deceptively simple, but it's so all-consuming that it draws you whole-heartedly into these character's lives. What seems to be a fairly typical romantic arc is totally flipped on its head, and you become just as caught up in the painful depth of the protagonists' lives as they are. 

Very simply, this novel is stunning. A book that will educate as much as it will overwhelm you, it's sure to leave you numb long after you've turned the final page. 

Author photo on Instagram @caleb_anelson // Photography by Stuart Simpson @stuartdsimpson