"Raw, Dark Folk Horror: A Mortality Confronted in the Unsettling World of Saltwash"
Andrew Michael Hurley's latest novel, Saltwash, is a visceral and unflinching exploration of mortality, regret, and the human condition. Set in the semi-abandoned coastal resort town of the same name, the story follows septuagenarian protagonist Tom Shift as he navigates a series of eerie encounters with an enigmatic penpal named Oliver.
At its core, Saltwash is a tale of unrequited longing and the devastating consequences of unresolved trauma. As Tom waits for his meeting with Oliver at the crumbling Castle Hotel, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of dark secrets and simmering conflicts among the town's elderly residents. The air is thick with tension as the partygoers converge on the hotel, each harboring their own twisted desires and motivations.
Hurley's prose is both atmospheric and economical, conjuring the decaying grandeur of Saltwash's streets and buildings in vivid detail. Yet beneath its charming surface, the novel betrays a seething undercurrent of menace, as if the very fabric of reality has been warped by some unseen force.
As Tom grapples with his own mortality, he begins to discern dark hints about Oliver's true intentions and the sinister purpose behind the annual gathering. The stakes escalate with each passing moment, culminating in a shocking revelation that defies easy explanation or resolution.
Saltwash is a disquieting novel that challenges its readers to confront the abyss of human existence. Like Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Hurley's work plumbs the darkest recesses of the human psyche, emerging with a haunting and unsettling proposition: that our greatest fears are often those we cannot ignore, and that the darkness within us can consume us all.
This is a novel that lingers long after its conclusion, refusing to be silenced or forgotten. It is a bleak, unflinching work of fiction that will leave even the most hardened readers feeling unsettled and disturbed – and perhaps, just perhaps, changed forever.
Andrew Michael Hurley's latest novel, Saltwash, is a visceral and unflinching exploration of mortality, regret, and the human condition. Set in the semi-abandoned coastal resort town of the same name, the story follows septuagenarian protagonist Tom Shift as he navigates a series of eerie encounters with an enigmatic penpal named Oliver.
At its core, Saltwash is a tale of unrequited longing and the devastating consequences of unresolved trauma. As Tom waits for his meeting with Oliver at the crumbling Castle Hotel, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of dark secrets and simmering conflicts among the town's elderly residents. The air is thick with tension as the partygoers converge on the hotel, each harboring their own twisted desires and motivations.
Hurley's prose is both atmospheric and economical, conjuring the decaying grandeur of Saltwash's streets and buildings in vivid detail. Yet beneath its charming surface, the novel betrays a seething undercurrent of menace, as if the very fabric of reality has been warped by some unseen force.
As Tom grapples with his own mortality, he begins to discern dark hints about Oliver's true intentions and the sinister purpose behind the annual gathering. The stakes escalate with each passing moment, culminating in a shocking revelation that defies easy explanation or resolution.
Saltwash is a disquieting novel that challenges its readers to confront the abyss of human existence. Like Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness, Hurley's work plumbs the darkest recesses of the human psyche, emerging with a haunting and unsettling proposition: that our greatest fears are often those we cannot ignore, and that the darkness within us can consume us all.
This is a novel that lingers long after its conclusion, refusing to be silenced or forgotten. It is a bleak, unflinching work of fiction that will leave even the most hardened readers feeling unsettled and disturbed – and perhaps, just perhaps, changed forever.
, I'm totally creeped out just reading this! The idea of an old town where everyone's got secrets to hide is like, super unsettling 
. And Tom's obsession with Oliver is giving me major anxiety 
. It's like, you know when someone's being too friendly and it just doesn't feel right? Yeah, that's what's going on here. And the writing style? So atmospheric and immersive, but also kinda creepy 
. I don't think I'd want to read this in a dark room alone 
. Still, if you're into that sort of thing, go for it! Just don't say I didn't warn you 
.
but what's so fascinating about saltwash is how it takes those feelings & amplifies them to this whole other level, like, you're right on the edge of the abyss with tom and u can't look away 
And that atmosphere! It's like stepping into a haunted house, but in a good way... unsettlingly good 
The ending? Forget about it! It's like a punch to the gut, but in a weird way, it's also kind of liberating 
It's crazy. I don't know if I'd recommend it to my younger family members though... 
I mean it sounds super dark and depressing, like its gonna be hard to read. And who is Oliver? Sounds kinda suspicious 
. I wish there was more info about the setting and stuff before i start reading it 
. Maybe its just my perspective, but i like when books have happy endings lol 
I mean, an old guy getting weird letters from some mysterious dude? And then he finds out the whole town is in on it? It's like something out of Twin Peaks but way darker 
. And that writing style, all atmospheric and whatnot... reminds me of some old EC Comics stuff from when I was a kid 
. And don't even get me started on the ending – a shocking revelation that defies explanation? No thank you, I'll stick to my Netflix binge-watching sessions, not some creepy folk horror novel 
.
Seriously though, if you're into psychological thrillers with a dash of mystery, then this might be the book for you. Just don't say I didn't warn you... 
.
. It's like Hurley is tapping into some deep, dark well of human fear that we all try to keep hidden 
. And that ending... ugh, just don't even get me started 
.
. But for real though, I'm both intrigued and terrified by this novel - it sounds like a wild ride through the depths of human existence 
. Can't wait to dive in and see if I can handle all the angst and dread 
The author's writing style is so atmospheric, I can almost smell the salt in the air and feel the decay beneath my feet. But honestly, I think I'll stick to watching scary movies from now on... 
The decaying grandeur, the sinister purpose behind the gathering... it's all just so unsettling! 
the way he weaves together the stories of these characters is like a slow-burning fire that gets harder to ignore as you keep reading... it's not just about tom shift's interactions with oliver, but how they both deal with their own personal demons and the consequences of unresolved trauma 
?
. But for me, I'll stick with something a bit more... uplifting? Maybe? 
But what really gets my attention is how the author weaves together this dark tale of regret and trauma. It's like he's got a PhD in psychological horror or something! 
This book is gonna be on my must-read list for sure... but don't say I didn't warn you! 
. I mean, who wants to read about mortality, regret, and trauma in a creepy coastal town? But at the same time... I'm intrigued by the idea of an unsettling exploration of the human condition 
. The writing style and atmosphere sound pretty immersive too 
️. Would be interested to see how it all comes together in practice