Nelson, Caleb Azumah

Richly complex literary fiction, highly recommended for lovers of romance in the vein of Tia Williams’s Seven Days in June or the lyricism of Elif Shafak’s novels.

The musicality of Nelson’s language underscores this vibrant and deeply moving tale of love, family, and coming of age. While stories of conflict between first- and second-generation immigrants are common, the cultural richness and specificity of Nelson’s narrative rises above tropes and stereotypes.

In lovely, rhythmic prose that flows like poetry, photographer and debut novelist Nelson has written a brave and beautiful ode to love, to the importance of self-love, and to the joy of being seen and understood in a world that’s still set on denying Black personhood. An incandescent read that perfectly illuminates this moment in time.