Open Water is a heartfelt, raw, and deeply personal memoir by Alex Dean that chronicles his upbringing in a fractured family, his early love for academics, and the onset of a mysterious medical condition that would alter the course of his life. The story begins in a psychiatric hospital and then rewinds to Alex’s childhood in Kansas, toggling between two very different homes, one calm and loving, the other chaotic and emotionally volatile. With a voice that’s at once humorous, honest, and emotionally naked, Dean invites readers to walk through his struggles with mental health, physical illness, family conflict, identity, and perseverance.

Dean’s writing is beautifully conversational. It flows like a journal. The honesty is almost jarring at times, but that’s what makes it so powerful. He doesn’t over-polish his memories or wrap everything up in neat little lessons. His childhood was messy, his thoughts often contradictory, and his pain palpable, but he tells his story with such clarity that you trust every word. And somehow, despite the darkness he describes, he never lets the book become bleak. There’s this through-line of hope, humor, and love, especially for his family, that never goes away, even when things get really hard.

What struck me most was how relatable this story is. I wasn’t reading about someone extraordinary doing superhero things. I was reading about a smart, anxious, lovable kid doing his best to navigate a really confusing life. The family dynamics alone are enough to break your heart. The way Dean talks about his parents, especially his deep bond with his dad, and his complicated, painful relationship with his mom, felt so familiar and real. And then there’s the body that keeps failing him and the mind that won’t stop fighting him. He never pretends to have all the answers. He just keeps swinging, his favorite metaphor, and you end up rooting for him with everything you’ve got.

Open Water is a lifeline for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by their own mind, their body, or their family. I would absolutely recommend it to young adults, therapists, teachers, parents, and anyone trying to understand the messiness of growing up with both invisible and visible struggles. If you want real and moving and strangely funny in the most painful places, you’ll find something here that sticks with you.

Pages: 200 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CS4SYP23