Open Water

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson is a captivating debut novel that explores the nuances of love, identity, and race in contemporary Britain. Set in the vibrant yet challenging backdrop of South East London, the story revolves around two young Black British artists. They meet by chance in a pub, forming an immediate connection that tugs at the heart and promises them something special.

He is a photographer, capturing moments that speak volumes, while she is a dancer, expressing herself through the grace of movement. Both are scholarship recipients who navigated the complexities of private education, often feeling like outsiders. Now in a city that oscillates between celebration and rejection of their talents, they seek to carve out their space and make their voices heard.

Their journey together is marked by tentative steps towards love, rich with tenderness and mutual understanding. Yet, as their bond deepens, they are confronted with the stark reality of living in a world that often sees them only through the lens of their Blackness. The external pressures of fear and violence threaten to pull them apart, challenging their relationship and their sense of self.

In this achingly beautiful love story, Nelson delves into profound themes of race and masculinity. He poses significant questions about what it means to be seen as a person versus a Black body, to show vulnerability in a society that demands strength, and to seek refuge in love only to risk losing it. Through lyrical and soulful prose, Open Water captures the essence of these struggles with piercing insight and emotional depth.

Caleb Azumah Nelson has penned one of the most vital British debuts in recent years, offering a narrative that is both intensely personal and universally resonant. His writing immerses readers in the lived experience of his characters, making Open Water a novel that is as thought-provoking as it is heartbreakingly beautiful.