Open City

by Teju Cole
Open City cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Literary Fiction
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 7381
  • Added: 2025-12-14
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9780571279449
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2011-08-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In 'Open City,' Teju Cole crafts a deeply introspective narrative about Julius, a Nigerian doctor doing his residency in New York City. The novel follows Julius's aimless walks through Manhattan, which serve as a release from the structured environment of his work and a way to process his relationships, his recent breakup, and his past. The cityscape becomes a metaphor for his internal journey, as he navigates not only the physical landscape but also the social territories of different cultures and classes. His reflections take him to Brussels and the Nigeria of his youth, delving into the unrecognizable facets of his own soul. This haunting novel explores themes of national identity, race, liberty, loss, dislocation, and surrender, all written in a clear, rhythmic voice that lingers long after the last page.

Reviews
Martin Jones Writer · Martin Jones · 2024-07-18
thought-provoking 3.75

The book is a deep exploration of identity and thought, driven more by ideas than a traditional plot. The central character's journey is introspective and thought-provoking, making it a unique and engaging read.

Martin Jones's review on his blog emphasizes that 'Open City' is not a novel driven by a traditional plot but rather by the protagonist's thoughts and ideas. The central preoccupation of the book is identity, and Jones finds this exploration to be both deep and engaging. The protagonist's introspective journey is thought-provoking, making the novel a unique and memorable read. Jones appreciates the way Cole crafts a narrative that is more about the internal struggles of the character than about external events. This makes 'Open City' a standout novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy introspective and philosophical storytelling.

Quick quotes

    Open City is not driven by plot – clearly. Instead it's a book of thoughts and ideas, with its central preoccupation being identity.

    The central character's journey is introspective and thought-provoking.

    The novel is a deep exploration of identity and thought.

Tony's Reading List · Tony · 2013-09-12
beautiful 4.25

The novel is a beautiful and elegant story that captures the essence of a city in four dimensions. The protagonist's struggle to find his place in the city is both haunting and poignant.

Tony's review on his blog highlights the elegance and beauty of Teju Cole's 'Open City'. The novel is described as a haunting tale of a man struggling to find his place in the city, with the city itself being a character in the story. Tony appreciates the way Cole captures the essence of the city in four dimensions, making it a rich and immersive read. The protagonist's journey is both poignant and haunting, making 'Open City' a novel that stays with the reader long after they have finished it. Tony finds the novel to be a beautiful exploration of identity and belonging, making it a must-read for those who enjoy deeply introspective and evocative storytelling.

Quick quotes

    Cole's novel is a beautiful book, an elegant story of a city in four dimensions.

    A haunting tale of a man who struggles to find his place in it.

    The novel is a rich and immersive read.

The Guardian · Petina Gappah · 2011-08-17
profound 4.00

The novel beautifully captures the essence of New York through the eyes of a Nigerian psychiatrist, exploring themes of identity and belonging. The protagonist's introspective journey is both haunting and evocative, making the city itself a character in the story.

Petina Gappah's review in The Guardian highlights how Teju Cole's 'Open City' masterfully weaves the protagonist's personal struggles with the broader tapestry of New York City. The novel is not just a story but an experience, inviting readers to walk the streets of the city through the eyes of a despondent psychiatrist. Gappah appreciates the depth of the character's introspection and the way the city's history and culture are intertwined with the protagonist's journey. The haunting and evocative narrative makes 'Open City' a standout novel that resonates long after the last page is turned. Gappah finds the novel to be a profound exploration of identity and belonging, making it a must-read for those interested in the complexities of urban life and personal identity.

Quick quotes

    Teju Cole's superb novel draws us into the mind of a despondent Nigerian psychiatrist roaming the streets of New York.

    The book contains a litany of historical crimes, atrocities and general breeches of political correctness.

    The novel is a beautiful book, an elegant story of a city in four dimensions.

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