A Descent into the Heart of Darkness: 'Saltwash' Review
Living can be a hard emotional grind, but dying? That's a different story altogether. For Andrew Michael Hurley's latest novel, Saltwash, draws on this existential unease to deliver a wildly atmospheric and deeply unsettling tale that borrows from cosy crime only to lead readers down a darker, more sinister path.
At its core, Saltwash is about place – the crumbling coastal resort of the eponymous town, where the estuary has become "a delta of dark streams and vast sandbanks". This is not just a setting, but a state of mind that Tom Shift, the septuagenarian protagonist, will be forced to confront during his brief visit. Arriving in Saltwash by chance, Tom is drawn into a world of curiosity and suspicion as he waits for his enigmatic penpal, Oliver.
As the night wears on at the Castle Hotel, where they meet, more elderly people arrive – dressed in finery that's long out of style but still eerily believable. The atmosphere is darkly comedic, with talkative guests scattered throughout like a troupe of grotesque actors playing to an unseen audience. And then there's Oliver, who commands attention with his words and magic tricks, yet hides something sinister beneath his disheveled appearance.
The driving force behind Hurley's fiction has always been the atmosphere and folklore of his settings, and Saltwash is no exception. The author's masterful use of language brings the reader into a territory that's both physical and psychic, mythic even. But as Tom becomes increasingly entangled in the mysteries surrounding Oliver and the lottery, something starts to feel off.
Saltwash may not be the easiest read – it's challenging to process, like trying to unravel a complex web of deceit – but that's exactly the point. This novel is about confronting mortality, regret, and the unexpressed feelings that can consume us when our time runs out. It's a journey that leaves readers unsettled and existentially shaken.
In short, Saltwash is Heart of Darkness wrapped in a candy-coated veneer, an unsettling proposition that lingers long after finishing the book. For some, it may be just the right antidote to the cheeriness of the holiday season – but for others, it might be too much to handle. As with any dark and complex work, proceed with caution.
If you're up for a raw and unflinching exploration of the human condition, Saltwash by Andrew Michael Hurley is worth diving into. But if you're looking for a lighthearted holiday read, this might not be it. Order your copy at guardianbookshop.com (£16.99).
Living can be a hard emotional grind, but dying? That's a different story altogether. For Andrew Michael Hurley's latest novel, Saltwash, draws on this existential unease to deliver a wildly atmospheric and deeply unsettling tale that borrows from cosy crime only to lead readers down a darker, more sinister path.
At its core, Saltwash is about place – the crumbling coastal resort of the eponymous town, where the estuary has become "a delta of dark streams and vast sandbanks". This is not just a setting, but a state of mind that Tom Shift, the septuagenarian protagonist, will be forced to confront during his brief visit. Arriving in Saltwash by chance, Tom is drawn into a world of curiosity and suspicion as he waits for his enigmatic penpal, Oliver.
As the night wears on at the Castle Hotel, where they meet, more elderly people arrive – dressed in finery that's long out of style but still eerily believable. The atmosphere is darkly comedic, with talkative guests scattered throughout like a troupe of grotesque actors playing to an unseen audience. And then there's Oliver, who commands attention with his words and magic tricks, yet hides something sinister beneath his disheveled appearance.
The driving force behind Hurley's fiction has always been the atmosphere and folklore of his settings, and Saltwash is no exception. The author's masterful use of language brings the reader into a territory that's both physical and psychic, mythic even. But as Tom becomes increasingly entangled in the mysteries surrounding Oliver and the lottery, something starts to feel off.
Saltwash may not be the easiest read – it's challenging to process, like trying to unravel a complex web of deceit – but that's exactly the point. This novel is about confronting mortality, regret, and the unexpressed feelings that can consume us when our time runs out. It's a journey that leaves readers unsettled and existentially shaken.
In short, Saltwash is Heart of Darkness wrapped in a candy-coated veneer, an unsettling proposition that lingers long after finishing the book. For some, it may be just the right antidote to the cheeriness of the holiday season – but for others, it might be too much to handle. As with any dark and complex work, proceed with caution.
If you're up for a raw and unflinching exploration of the human condition, Saltwash by Andrew Michael Hurley is worth diving into. But if you're looking for a lighthearted holiday read, this might not be it. Order your copy at guardianbookshop.com (£16.99).
. The author's use of language is like stepping into a foggy coastal town - it's eerie, unsettling, and somehow beautiful? Hurley masterfully weaves together themes of mortality, regret, and the unknown, making for a truly uncomfortable read 
. I love how he subverts our expectations with his darkly comedic tone, but at the same time, I can see why this book might not be for everyone... some people prefer their holiday reads to be, well, happier 
. Worth diving into if you're looking for something that'll challenge your perspectives and leave you feeling uneasy, though! 
. And it's not just about the lack of sunlight, it's the feeling of being stuck indoors with no escape. Not exactly the most festive news to get over the holiday break 
.
this book is like stepping into a dream world that's so dark and twisted it's mesmerizing 
tom shift is such an amazing protagonist, his obsession with oliver is SO relatable 
and the setting of saltwash is honestly giving me all the gothic vibes 
i loved how hurley weaves together mystery, folklore, and existential dread into this one cohesive tale 
it's not for the faint of heart, but if u r looking for a thought-provoking read that'll leave u unsettled 
. The author's use of language is indeed masterful and brings the whole experience to life, but come on, that phrase is way too on-the-nose. Just say it's a dark and complex novel with a rich atmosphere, no need for all those extra words 
. And btw, if you're looking for something lighthearted, have you even read "Saltwash"? It's like, super intense 
this book sounds like a wild ride 
! I love how the author weaves together atmosphere and folklore to create this sense of unease and tension 
️. It's interesting that it's not just about a murder mystery or a whodunit, but more about exploring the human condition and mortality 
. The way the author weaves together atmosphere and folklore is like nothing I've seen before. It's like stepping into a strange, old world that feels both familiar and unsettling. I love how the protagonist Tom becomes more entangled in the mysteries surrounding Oliver, it's like he's trapped in this web of deceit 
. It's not an easy read, but I think that's part of its charm. It's like Andrew Michael Hurley is challenging us to confront our own mortality and regrets, and that's something we all need to face from time to time 
.
. But what really drew me in was the complex web of characters, each with their own secrets and motivations 
.
. But what really got me was how the atmosphere shifts from darkly comedic to sinister, like a slow-burning fire 
. It's not an easy read by any means, but that's part of its charm 
, then Saltwash is definitely worth checking out. But be warned: it's not for the faint of heart 
!
️ its unsettling and atmospheric but also kinda beautiful in a disturbing way...like you're walking through this creepy resort town and you cant shake off the feeling that something is off 
️? I mean, sure, the author's use of language is masterful and all that jazz, but can't we appreciate the emotional depth without it feeling like we need to take a shower after finishing the book? 
The reviewer says it's not an easy read, but I say, what's wrong with that? Maybe that's just what we need – some literature that makes us squirm in our seats.
. Andrew Michael Hurley's writing is straight fire 
.
. It's like Hurley takes all the dark emotions and puts them in a blender, hits puree, and serves it up with a side of existential unease 
. Not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for something that'll make you think... then Saltwash is your book 
. Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on afterwards 
. And can we talk about how well-written Oliver is? Like, that dude's got some serious presence 
. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good existential crisis 
. Like, if you're looking for something lighthearted and fun, Saltwash is not the book for you 
.
. Just be prepared to have your mind blown...and possibly shaken