Poetic storytelling

I really related to this book as a Ghanaian Diaspora. Loved the flow and poetry of this in comparison to open waters. The storyline was such an improvement from his previous book. Caleb explores a lot of themes but my favourite is love in its many forms and also belonging. And how everyone’s individual world is different. I would highly recommend.

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A journey through Family, via Music, London and Ghana.

Music and a lyrical style run through this memorable book on family dynamics and growing up in London.
It looks at the subtle ways we lose connection with each other, and the ways back together if the bonds are strong.
Really well written.and narrated.

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Perfect - Emotional - Real - Honest

I love Caleb’s writing. It’s so rooted in his authentic experiences and his truths. There are so many relatable characters, feelings and experiences he communicates. We are witnessing a generational writer. The way he captures the lives that us diaspora second gen kids - particularly us west Africans is extraordinary. I nearly cried hearing the weaknesses and vulnerability of the male characters. Male mental health and stories are hardly shared. But Caleb did. Thank you. A gift to all to read.

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Incredible book!

This book spoke to my soul, I loved every word of it. He reads it beautifully.

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Just beautiful

Nelson is a wonderful writer. There’s rhythm in his words and the emotion these conjure for the reader. I cannot wait for his next book. Thank you blessing us with your gift of writing.

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Exquisitely told story, masterfully written

An elegantly raw and heartfelt story told through the lens of beautifully crafted narratives of the characters that resonates with authenticity, compassion and a profound understanding of migrant experience and the subsequent generations living in UK today. An exquisitely written novel that delves into the multifaceted nature of the diaspora identity. Beautiful, personal, spoke of things most of us find hard to articulate about our experience. I couldn’t stop listening to this. Thank you so much Caleb Azumah Nelson.

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Standing Ovation.

I thought 'Open Water' was amazing – so fresh, so lyrical, and so stylistically true to the music and the voices it was sharing. 'Small Worlds' is even better. That 'buzz' was officially not an accident. The characters here benefit from the writers' added maturity: the father-son dynamic is to me, point-perfect. We are in the hands of a true talent here: the attention that Caleb Azumah Nelson got from agents, media and publishers is more than deserved. What I look for in a novel is truth and believability: the effect being that you feel you 'know' the people, and that they stay with you afterwards. That's exactly the case with 'Small Worlds': it's definitely one I'm excited to read again.

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Extraordinary

Utterly gripped throughout by the beautiful storytelling and language. Took me to a world I know little about, one which I did not want to leave.

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Flat Performance

Neither story nor narration worked for me. Even significant moments lacked drama. I was expecting a deeper story.

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