OPEN WATER BY CALEB AZUMAH NELSON culture references, somehow, didn’t take away from the timelessness of the book, but only seemed to further immortalize the referenced material with the inclusion of them in a novel that read, to me, as an instant classic. The novel is written in second-person, and refers to the narrator as ‘you’ throughout. It begins with the narrator seeing ‘her’ in a barbershop in London where their eyes meet and he begins to recall their love story through a twisting timeline of what seems to span a few years.
“Open Water’ is Caleb Azumah Nelson’s debut novel and an ode to black art. Throughout the novel Nelson explores masculinity, what it means to be seen, the daily realities of being a black man, and the effect these themes have on black love.
The narrator meets ‘her’ one night in a bar where he is introduced to her by his friend whom she happens to be dating at the time, which complicates the relationship from the beginning. She is looking for a photographer for a project in which she wants to document black people in London. They are both artists, she a dancer and he a photographer, although he is hesitant to introduce himself as one when they meet explaining, “I guess, it’s like knowing that you are something and wanting to protect that? I know I’m a photographer, but if someone else says I’m that, it changes things because what they think about me isn’t what I think about me.” The pair start spending time together under the obligation of the project and instantly connect, discovering they were both one of the few black kids on scholarship at their respective prep schools.
The novel reads like prose punctuated with impactful lyrics or movie scenes from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, A Tribe Called Quest, and the movie ‘Moonlight’. The addition of popular
As their friendship turns to something deeper the burdens of everyday life begin to seep their way into the bubble they’ve created as he fights to keep the love he’s found. The narrator is dealing
with the death of his grandmother when they meet. Nelson captures emotion and how it is not opposite masculinity outright and beautifully. Not only does dealing with loss burden his relationship but the daily awareness of the reality of being a black man. Their love story is interrupted frequently with unwarranted police stops, stares, and sometimes violence. Nelson’s portrayal of what it is like to be black in today’s world and how that affects what it means to be vulnerable and truly seen was an absolute masterpiece. Without doubt, a five-star read, complete with a curated spotify playlist. I strongly encourage everyone to pick it up and allow yourself to be moved by Nelson’s poetic debut.
Written by Andrea Robinson
The Noir Press | May 2022
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