There are books you read, simply to pass time and occupy your mind. Yet, there are others which creep into your life, and slowly but surely, change how you see life. They offer a different lens, open your heart to receive, and also to give. There are books you read over and over again; you recommend to everyone you know because you want to share the ecstasy of what it means to be alive in a book. That is what “Small Worlds” was, and is to me. A stunning body of a work from a beloved author.
There is much to say but not enough words to describe what “Small Worlds” accomplished but I will try. Unlike my other posts, this is not meant to review because how do you criticize what is perfect? Instead, this reflection is meant to share with you a little of the light I felt when reading this. Hopefully, at the end, you are convinced enough to give it a chance.
“Small Worlds” follows Stephen, our British-Ghanaian protagonist across three summers, moving back-and-forth between London and Ghana. He is a budding musician navigating the trials of adulthood; what it means to outgrow your former world while he nurtures a new one. Stephen’s world was a joy to be immersed in. His growth into becoming a man, the drifting and insecurity while he comes of age. The parallels between his life and his father’s life, a constant reminder that cycles persist and we are all the same characters written in different fonts.
“Small Worlds” is a masterclass in second novels- it is evident that Caleb honed his pen, sharper than ever and has fully embraced his writing style that the reading community has come to know him for. There is plot progression and character development in that even though there are continuing cycles, these characters grow. There is magic between these pages, brought forth by a deep sense of knowing people- who we are, our joys, our loves, our losses.
The writing is a very keen study on human behaviors and relationships- our individual small worlds of trauma and love and hope and expectations which coexist and collide with other people’s small worlds. It encapsulates the feeling of living and being alive. I want to live in Caleb’s storytelling, where love and loss coexist so beautifully, where human flaws and trauma are conveyed with deep compassion and without judgement.
This book gave me so much joy for living; it gave me peace, and renewed my faith in the quiet moments. While I appreciate that this may not be for everyone, “Small Worlds” was everything to me. I highly, highly encourage everyone to lose and find themselves between its pages.