Things I Have Taken Pictures of

"Things I Have Taken Pictures Of" follows a Black British photographer in London who navigates relationships, art, and identity in a divided city. Through his lens and narration, the day-to-day events of life in Southeast London are captured and examined. The protagonist alternates between his camera work, a budding romance, and his connections with friends and family in the community. His interactions span underground music venues, local basketball courts, and the streets of his neighborhood as he strives to document the vitality and reality of the lives around him. The slim, experimental novel employs fragments, repetition and shifting perspectives to explore themes of memory, visibility, and representation. The text reflects on the role of the artist and observer in society, and considers how images and relationships can shape an understanding of self.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Caleb Azumah Nelson's overall work: Readers connect strongly with Nelson's lyrical writing style and emotional depth in "Open Water" and "Small Worlds." Many point to his ability to capture complex feelings about love, identity, and belonging. What readers liked: - Poetic prose that reads like music - Authentic portrayal of Black British experiences - Photography references that enhance storytelling - Second-person narrative technique in "Open Water" What readers disliked: - Some find the experimental style difficult to follow - Pacing feels slow for some readers - Second-person narrative creates emotional distance for some Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: - Open Water: 3.9/5 (32,000+ ratings) - Small Worlds: 4.0/5 (3,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Open Water: 4.3/5 - Small Worlds: 4.4/5 Reader quote: "Nelson writes about love and fear with such tenderness it feels like he's holding your heart in his hands." - Goodreads review "The prose is beautiful but sometimes gets in the way of the story." - Amazon reviewer

Open City by Teju Cole A young photographer walks through New York City capturing images while processing grief, identity, and memory through internal reflection.

On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong A Vietnamese-American son writes letters to his mother, weaving photography, art, and personal history into a narrative of love and loss.

The Hungry and the Fat by Timur Vermes A photographer documents a refugee march across Europe while examining media representation and human connection in the digital age.

Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Through precise observations and snapshot-like moments, a working-class British teenager navigates family dynamics and cultural expectations during an archaeological reenactment.

Chemistry by Weike Wang A Chinese-American scientist chronicles her life through precise, photograph-like observations that capture cultural displacement and self-discovery.

📚 The novel's unique narrative unfolds through a series of photographs that are described but never shown, creating an innovative interplay between imagery and text. 🎵 Caleb Azumah Nelson worked as a photographer before becoming a writer, lending authenticity to the protagonist's artistic perspective. 🌟 Like his debut novel "Open Water," this book explores themes of Black British identity and artistry through a South London lens. 💫 The story takes place over seven years, with each section named after a different type of light: "Natural Light," "Flash," "Golden Hour," "Low Light," and "Darkness." 🎨 The protagonist's journey mirrors the author's real-life transition from visual arts to writing, as both discover that different art forms can capture what words alone cannot express.