This short novel sits in a beautiful space between being an ode to music and joy, and also an acknowledgement of the harms that music attempts to soothe.

We follow a dreamy, lilting narrative through relationships (both romantic and familial), but this dream is often punctuated, especially when the killing of Mark Duggan ignites protest and a reevaluation of just how safe everyone really is.

The inclusion of such a tragic and real-life event into this otherwise dreamlike book was startling and urgent- a reminder of the ease with which peace can be disturbed.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When a debut novel is so successful, there is a lot of pressure on the second novel and approaching the novel with high expectations feels unavoidable. I was a little nervous picking this up, but within pages my nerves dissipated and I sank into the flow of the writing.

Small Worlds exists within the same space as Open Water but it is its own being, and for me, this is easily my favourite of the two. It is exciting to see Azumah Nelson’s style develop in this novel, it felt as though he was able to luxuriate in a style that he has honed. The poetry and lyricism that he brings to his prose is gorgeous and it creates a world of language and imagery that bring to life complex relationships, characters whose depth feels limitless, and a sense of place and mood that encompasses you as you read. I haven’t read any other author who can evoke the sound and feeling of music in the way that Azumah Nelson can, or who can communicate the meaning behind that music and the emotional journey that it takes his characters on. The music doesn’t just enrich the story, it is at it’s heart.

The novel’s romance is told with a delicate attention to detail and a rush of emotion. But it was the relationship between brothers and the father-son relationship that were the real drive of the novel. The writing evokes personal feelings, anxiety, loneliness, grief, and has the ability to communicate frustrations and fractures between people in a way that is recognisable and familiar and yet still poignant and painful. I loved the focus on absence of community contrasted with a community of people who need a place to come together, and the way that the novel kept returning to the feeling of freedom that can only be unleashed within the safety of community. The novel embraced so many different experiences, relationships, journeys and emotions, but it is this one that it leaves you with and feels like the defining image of the novel.

As soon as I picked up 'Small Worlds' it was impossible to resist Nelson's writing and I absolutely loved this book from start to finish.

It's exploration of love and the space we inhabit within our relationships and within our communities was just beautiful.

I loved how personal and intimate the story felt and how close the writing brought me to Stephen. I was hooked on his love story with Del but it was the complex and difficult relationship which unfolds between Stephen and his father that brought all the feels for me.

I simply can't do it justice - it's a book you need to read and experience as soon as you have the chance.

We're in that summer where you get your A-level results and life is about to change, meeting Stephen, who is in love with fellow musician Del and working at his Auntie Yaa's shop in Peckham, drifting a little and worried about what is to come, feeling pressured by his dad, who expects him to go and do a "proper" degree and bring wealth and prosperity to the family.

We explore his parents' arrival in London from Ghana, his mum's shock at arriving at a time when people were being blamed for riots and racism was rife, the struggles they had to settle and establish themselves, but we also get immersed in music, and music also informs the narrative: as you read on, you realise that certain images and phrases repeat themselves in slightly different forms again and again as the text moves through a few years of Stephen's life, the sun reflected on people's skin, the value of dancing as healing, people's eyes, the appearance of a character called Marlon who is grieving a lost parent and presents a sort of model of that journey.

Like Harley in "Small Joys", Stephen struggles at university with its strangers and microaggressions, and withdraws (this does suggest, along with non-fiction that's around at the moment (like "Taking up Space") that we really do need to be doing something to invest in Black young people's experience of higher education), and other serious topics are covered subtly: the difficulty of going back "home" to Ghana when you're perceived as being very well-off and able to look after people and the exclusionary gentrification of areas like Peckham, the two linked by Auntie Yaa's outcome and decision as she's threatened with being forced out of her shop. There's also the legacy of enslaved peoples, with one female character knowing that her family came to London via Ghana but there had been a round trip via Brazil "by way of force; this history only spoken and, if not spoken, in danger of being lost".

So lots of points are made subtly, placed in the reader's mind to be pondered. Stephen grows, his relationship with his brother Raymond, starting a new generation of the family, shifts, and a break with their father starts to heal, turning into a different kind of care and showing yet another way men can relate to one another.

A lovely book, lyrical and almost hypnotic to read, beautifully written and, I think, a step forward for the writer. I can't wait, again, to see what he does next.

My blog review will appear on 15 May https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2023/05/15/book-review-caleb-azumah-nelson-small-worlds/

Despite absolutely loving this book, I had to give it four stars as I found the pace was just a little bit too slow for me at times. There were times that I appreciated the slow pace of the book and found myself lost in the words on the page and marvelling at how beautiful and poetic a sentence could be, whereas other times I felt it began to drag on, I appreciated and understood some of the reasons behind the book having that steady pace, especially as we are on a journey with Stephen, but I don't believe that everyone who picks up this book will appreciate it.
As a. fan of the author, I enjoy his writing and much preferred Small Worlds to Open Water. Both books provide a lens into the Black-British, more so the Black-British male, experience and this is done beautifully. I find the view of love from a male perspective refreshing also and enjoyed getting lost in the small worlds of the characters, although sometimes, I felt relationships needed exploring more and this is one case where I felt the poetry didn't necessarily add to the story but took away from it in a sense.
I admired how the various themes such as music, dance and loss were portrayed and combined to create this book and it did make for a great read, which I personally preferred over his debut, so I would say if you weren't a fan of Open Water don't automatically rule Small Worlds out.
I will also be reviewing on my Instagram: @thebraidedbibliophile
Thank you for the ARC.

I devoured Open Water in two sittings two years ago and it was an instant favourite, one to be savoured, an easy five star read. Small Worlds is a similar length and tells the story of Stephen over three summers, ten years ago on the cusp of adulthood. He has known Del for years, is about to find out whether he is going to study music at a dream university, on a scholarship with her, or have to find his own way.

Open Water is written in the poetic second person, present tense and is just so lyrical in its depiction of love, a snapshot of someone's life. Small Worlds is just as beautiful in first person, present tense. I find present tense is quite a popular contemporary narrative device but it's often jarring and unnatural to read. I find if I notice it, then it is not done well! I think the only pieces of writing where this device works, are poetic literature like Small Worlds and Open Water. I'm carried away with the images of a life that his words evoke, feelings explored, lives dissected.

I loved the relationships between Stephen and his parents (Ghanaian natives), his brother Raymond, his girlfriend Del, his aunty and friends. The use of music in Stephen's life to explore feelings was amazingly done and I loved the references to some popular garage music I loved when growing up near London.

I think if you have a fondness for poetry, enjoy discussion of race and immigration, as well as just an exploration of what it means to be young, then I think you'll love this 💖

Another beautiful story from this wonderfully talented author!

Though some heavy topics are covered, the writing is beautiful and poetic and lyrical. This book won't be for everyone, the plot is slow in parts, but the topics and settings are so current that it made it feel so relatable.

I couldn't recommend it highly enough!

This was a book that I needed to read at this point in my life. Caleb Azumah Nelson writes about what it means to exist, to fall in love, to go through loss and heartbreak in beautiful prose. I know this is a book I will return to again.

Based in Peckham and Ghana, Small Worlds follows Stephen growing into a man. Heartbreak, death, renewed relationships. This book has it all.

Small worlds was so beautiful, it felt like the whole book was a poem and I was reading someone’s personal journal. The best way to describe it would be intense. Everything was felt so deeply. The soul, love,dancing,music, the heartbreak, all so deep. The strong feelings of every small world created and broken leapt off the page.

I couldn’t relate to the characters strong need to dance and move and their love of music because it was so different from my own upbringing but you get a sense of being there in the moment. The way Caleb described little details it felt like watching a movie in my mind, the whole book was filled with beautiful descriptions such as “After a few moments, he turns towards me and we mirror each other, our hands underneath our heads like an extra pillow.” and “And it’s not just me; catching another in the same motion, we might be drawn together, drawing so close our heads might touch, two Black crowns in the dim light of this ecstasy.”

Caleb has a very unique style of writing, I’ve never read anything like it. It’s not something I’d usually pick up but I’m so glad for all my bookstagram friends posting loads about it convincing me I should read it. I will definitely read more of his books and plan on buying a copy of Open Waters to read. No words I can write would do Caleb’s work any justice.

thank you to Viking for sending me a proof copy and e-arc for review! i thoroughly enjoyed reading it :)

review:
initially, i struggled to get into the book but as i’ve had time to reflect after reading, details and motifs that i missed have been randomly popping into my mind making the book grow on me even more!

having just finished uni myself, the feeling of stepping into the world wide-eyed and unsure of what is to come really resonated with me! and whilst stephen navigated through life and various kinds of relationships, i really felt that sense of community that the characters relied upon

it was also interesting to read and learn about the experience of those who came from Ghana to London and the impact this had on them and their children. overall, a poetic and insightful read🥰

It is hard to find the words to review Small Worlds because Caleb Azumah Nelson uses them in ways that I can never.

It’s another triumph. The writing is poetic and lyrical, my heart was breaking over and over for Stephen (the lead character), the mirroring in the third part was genius.

I’m in awe that I can be made to feel so much in so few pages. Also, I want all of the food described and a playlist of all of the songs.

First class.

This is an incredibly moving and beautiful novel that explores that period of life when you cross the line from traditional school education and embark upon the next steps of life trying to identify who you are and where you fit in. Stephen’s joy and escape is music and dance ;this has run throughout his life -his parents from Ghana also finding freedom in music especially when migrating to England and finding a sense of community. Exploring three key stages of his life over a two year period Stephen’s emotional journey will at times resonate with many- that endless summer after exams and before results - but will also explore the darker repercussions on existence in society following the murder of Mark Duggan in 2011.
Stephen also takes on a personal “ pilgrimage “ to understand his place within his family and his identity following a family tragedy and an argument with his father . Every sentence is poignant, lyrical and crafted ; this feels heartfelt in many ways and Caleb Azumah Nelson has written a beautiful novel ; the emotional relationship with his father is palpable and the bond with his friends is heartwarming . It is the lifeblood of music that flows through this novel acting as a soundtrack to the major events and bringing a depth and vitality to a great novel.

"I want to tell her the truth: that I love her. That I've loved her since we were young. I love her when we'd head up to central and the laughter was the spine of our days. I loved her every time I walked her home. I love her when she was in motion, when she was still."

It's been a while since I read a book that has moved me so deeply. It's Stephen's last summer in London before he heads off for university, hopefully to study music with his best friend Del. It's a glorious time, spent at the beach, losing himself in music when during sessions of jazz with friends, dancing at house parties and bars, something Stephen finds connects him to others, and the possibility of something more with Del.

But when Stephen doesn't get into the course he wants, his father pushes him into doing a business degree, while Del goes off and pursues her dreams elsewhere. The two try to maintain their relationship but it fails miserably and harsh words ruin their connection. Stephen feels increasingly lonely and isolated, from his friends, his family, and the Ghanaian diaspora in Peckham where he grew up. The lonelier he feels, the less he can find the notes to play and he starts losing his identity because "I've only ever known myself in song, between notes, in that place where language won't suffice but the drums might, might speak for us, might speak for what is on our hearts." He can no longer find the freedom he had during the summer. Can he find his way back when it seems no one wants him?

The book takes place over three definitive summers for Stephen, from 2010-2012 and is an intimate and tender portrayal of the small worlds we build where we can be ourselves: in family, father-son relationships, friends, and love, overlaid by music, the beat that brings people together and allows for communion. The prose is just lovely – at times gentle, then undulating and pulsing like the notes from Stephen's trumpet. The words sing on the page. A stunning read that I can't recommend enough.

Caleb Azumah Nelson’s debut Open Water was one of my favorite bookish discoveries last year and my appreciation for his writing has only grown after reading his sophomore novel. In fact, I would go so far as to say that Small Worlds hit me even harder and has cemented him as an auto-buy author for me.

Dealing with music and family, love and loss, Small Worlds follows Stephen through various life stages in three consecutive summers. While we still get the author’s signature second person POV in parts of the novel, most of it is written in first person and brings us all the closer to Stephen’s world of emotions. As always, the poetic prose is just so beautiful to read, but at the same time there was an added element of repetition that really served to highlight how cyclical life can be. It also makes you feel everything tenfold – Caleb Azumah Nelson never fails to make his characters’ experiences feel authentic and relatable, be it joy and laughter or pain and sorrow. It is the balance of all these elements – and the way they intertwine – that makes Small Worlds work so well.

I especially enjoyed the focus on family in this one. Family is a complicated beast and Small Worlds truly showed every facet of that. I liked the way sibling-, parental- and mother/son or father/son relationships were depicted. It felt so nuanced, layered and steeped in generational history.

I gaze at my parents, and see that a world can be two people, occupying a space where they don’t have to explain. Where they can feel beautiful. Where they might feel free.

Tender, vulnerable and refreshingly open, I always enjoy Caleb Azumah Nelson’s portrayal of Black culture (in the UK). This one felt special in particular to the many music references, which gave it an extra spark of life. Truly, everything this man writes is just a big recommendation from me!

Fazit: 5/5 stars! No notes – this was a stunning book!

I adored this!

It‘s so nice to see a different side to the young, black experience. Yes, there is prejudice, violence and racism always there in the background but, above all, this book is about love and relationships.

It‘s such a warm book as Stephen navigates his late teens / early twenties and learns to love, lose love, grieve and find love again.

Caleb Azumah Nelson is an unrivalled talent in literary fiction, showcasing Our London in a way that has not been done before.

I was quite worried about reading this book, having loved Open Water so much. In many ways the two books are very similar, a story of the love between two best friends, the culture of south London and the closeness of our communities with an undercurrent of unrest.

However this book feels more experimental. It demonstrates through repetition the cyclical nature of life, love and relationships with our friends and family. How different and how similar things become through generations.

Caleb Azumah Nelson is what the literary scene needs right now. We have proved over and over again that we deserve a seat at the table and when you create these opportunities books like this (and Open Water) are the product.

Congratulations Caleb on creating such a perfect version of the world you (and I) live in.

Set in London (and partially in Ghana), Small Worlds follows our protagonist Stephen, who is 18, fresh out of sixth form and wondering what to do with his life. Set over the three consecutive summers, we watch Stephen grow up and transition into adulthood as he tries to figure out what to do with his life, whilst trying to manage both old and new relationships with family and friends.
The book deals with so many topics, such as love, loss, grief, racism, and the importance of knowing our roots and where we come from (in Stephens case, Ghana). There’s also a heavy emphasis on music, rhythm and dance which is where Stephen seeks a lot of comfort in times of uncertainty.

I LOVE THIS BOOK. I love it I love it I love it.
Filled with the a beautiful lyrical prose, Caleb Azumah Nelson has absolutely smashed it once again. There’s just something so profound about the way Caleb writes, and his ability to describe complex human emotions. Considering me and the protagonist couldn’t be more different, I related so strongly to Stephen, especially his experiences of loneliness at university, and the feeling of being lost and wondering what to do with your life. I was simply blown away with how
Caleb put into words all the emotions I felt myself several years ago.
I also adore that music/dance features so heavily in this book. As someone who has grown up with a profound love for both, it was so lovely to see a character who seeks comfort in music and dance in the way I often do.

Honestly after April was a bit of a let down for reading, this book was just everything I needed right now. It reminded me how much I love to read, and why books are well and truly proeves of art. I just know this novel is going to be such a hit, and I hope it breaks all the sales records and wins all the awards, and I hope everyone loves it as much as I do!!!

Beautiful new novel from Caleb Azumah Nelson. Tender and heartfelt.

Small worlds is an examination of the individual and the collective, trauma and joy, dislocation and belonging. The text is rich and would be great for book clubs. I would recommend accessing the accompanying playlist while reading - I did not have wifi and being unable to hear all the songs was to my loss, I think.

What was not so successful for me was the heavy use of repetition (particularly explicitly mentioning the small words motif). I felt Small Worlds was perhaps a little less subtle than Open Water, the similarities between them inviting the comparison.

I am excited to see Nelson further home his talents and try something new. I will certainly pick u whatever he writes next.

Pick up this book up if: you enjoy lyrical, warm writing

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

stunning.

With Small Worlds, Caleb Azumah-Nelson has cemented himself as one of my favourite authors. Open Water was a tough act to follow (you guys know I’ll sing my praises for it from the rooftops), but this delivered and did not disappoint.

A poignant exploration of family, community, race, love, identity, grief, finding one’s way and a love letter to music and rhythm - a collection of Stephen’s small worlds.

I had a conversation with a friend a couple of weeks ago about writers from South London and how their roots show in the authenticity of their works, something that Azumah-Nelson has again expertly woven in, from specific commutes and landmarks to the feeling of community, especially amongst minority populations, that gentrification has chipped away at in the city over recent years.
While Open Water was primarily centred around love, which was also a part of Small Worlds, Stephen as a protagonist felt much more fleshed out and much easier to connect with. As readers, we witnessed his struggles with his family, his mental health, his career and navigating life as a Black man in Britain - the killing of Mark Duggan and the ripple effect it had on communities in London was tenderly but powerfully incorporated.

There’s so much more that could be said, but my words will never do it justice - Small Worlds is out next week and I suggest you RUN, don’t walk, to pick it up once it is.

As we follow Stephen’s life across three summers we delve into familial relationships, love interests and go on a journey of self discovery with a young man who has lost his rhythm, his spark and his sense of freedom. We travel from London to Ghana and back, uncovering the foundations and roots of Stephen’s “small worlds” as he seeks to rediscover his purpose.

This book is stunning. What I love about Caleb Azumah Nelson is that his books genuinely feel like a work of art. They are beautifully crafted with every word having its rightful place on the page and every sentence having a purpose. His descriptions throughout Small Worlds transported me to being right there with the characters, they were vivid, heartfelt and lyrical.

This novel has a great sense of community running through it and the characters were amazingly written. For a book that’s on the shorter side, the relationships, be it, between a father and son, two lovers or best friends were real, raw, honest and beautifully balanced.

I adored the musicality of the writing coupled with the love the main character had for music. The seamless incorporation of song titles into the prose created such a vivid atmosphere which put me right in the thick of the story. Exquisite writing.

Pick. This. Up. PLEASE. This is a new firm favourite and one I will revisit countless times in the future, I just know it.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the e-arc.