Description

THE TOP TEN SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING NOVEL

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DYLAN THOMAS PRIZE 2024

Dancing is the one thing that can solve Stephen’s problems.

At Church with his family, the shimmer of Black hands raised in praise. With his band, making music speaking not just to their hardships, but their joys. Grooving with his best friend, so close their heads might touch. Dancing alone to his father’s records, uncovering parts of a man he has never truly known. His youth, shame and sacrifice.

Stephen has only ever known himself in song. But what becomes of him when the music fades?

Set over the course of three summers, from South London to Ghana and back again, SMALL WORLDS is a novel about the worlds we build for ourselves. The worlds we live, dance and love within.

*****

‘Caleb Azumah Nelson’s stunning second novel confirms his status as a literary star’ Observer

‘Beautiful, unforgettable and all-consuming’ Candice Carty-Williams, author of Queenie

‘SMALL WORLDS is a book for everyone . . . an uplifting symphony of a summer read’ Times

Publisher Review

If you haven't had a chance to read Caleb Azumah Nelson's debut, Open Water, about a gorgeous love affair in modern-day London, then please do; it'll keep you occupied until his new release is out on 11 May, which is about fathers and sons, the power of dance and how one man can create a life he loves * Stylist, Big Fiction for 2023 * Small Worlds grabs you by the heart and holds tightly, revealing a story as beautiful and as lyrical as the words that adorn the pages. -- Sofia Akel Let's hear it for Caleb Azumah Nelson, also known as the future -- Benjamin Zephaniah An exhilarating new voice in British fiction * Vogue * One of Britain's most exciting young voices * Harper's Bazaar * Hands-down the best debut I've read in years * The Times on OPEN WATER * The rhythms of Small Worlds are a feature of Nelson's quiet, particular ear and of a profound engagement with music. Nelson writes about closeness, with family, with lovers, with art, as careful, essential labour -- Raven Leilani, bestselling author of LUSTER A novel that feels as intimate as it does expansive; Caleb Azumah Nelson has given to us a love story that goes beyond two people. Instead, there are no bounds to his exploration of exactly what the heart can feel. Beautiful, unforgettable and all-consuming -- Candice Carty-Williams, bestselling author of QUEENIE and PEOPLE PERSON A beautiful novel. Caleb Azumah Nelson is not just a storyteller; he is a cultural archivist of our time. At the core of Small Worlds is a deep love. Whether in music, locality, the people we are introduced to, or the circumstances that we journey and process through. Love is the offer, and Caleb's reminder for us is to lean into these offerings for history and reflection. For guidance, and most importantly, our survival. -- Yomi Sode, author of MANORISM