Reviews with content warning for Body horror - Salt Slow

This compilation of short stories is one that I highly recommend reading. The way she writes is just beautiful even during periods of simplicity to me, and each story leaves you before you leave it; it lingers and stays with you for quite a bit, and her way with allegories is just so raw and impressive. My favorite would have to be Formally Feral; something about it just resonated and truly felt special. Some of her literary decisions may confuse people, or disinterest people because she does not give you all the answers or hold your hand through it. She just expels the story and leaves it as is, so if you aren’t paying attention, or if you like books that don’t revolve around symbolism and metaphors, then this wouldn’t be as good as a read for you. I’d say it’s a niche topic coverage, and I’d even recommend buddy reading so you have someone to talk to about it after tbh.

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noiraet's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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bootrat's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I don't usually read horror books, but I loved this! Every story was different, and they were all engaging and spooky in their own ways.

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coatpocketcreature's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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carlycormier_'s review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

”The ocean empties, a thousand dead and dying invertebrates, jungled tentacles and fine, fragile membranes blanketing the shore two miles in each direction. They are translucent, almost spectral, as though the sea has exorcised its ghosts. Drowned in air, they break apart and bleed their interiors. A saturation, leeching down into the earth."

I don't believe I have ever read a short story collection before... salt slow was quite the first choice! I would pick it up every now and then to read a story or two when I wanted a break from whatever else I was doing/reading. Armfield's prose is quite unique and unlike most of what I’ve read before. These stories all feel quite normal as if they are happening within our own world, but then there is one small aspect that sets off the balance of nature, making you feel uneasy at times.

Intelligent and gripping, yet off-putting and slightly horrifying.

My favorites were: The Great Awake, Granite, and Smack. I would highly recommend this to those who are looking for something to shake up their genre choices or are interested in a fresh voice (or those who simply want to drool over beautiful cover art). Can't wait to read more from Armfield!

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savvylit's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Armfield is an incredible writer. She excels at a simultaneous evocation of creepiness and dreaminess. In the realm of salt slow, a young woman transforms into a bug, a city suffers from an epidemic of insomnia, a boyfriend turns into stone, a divorcee hides out on the seaside.

If you don't already know, I love weird and unsettling short story collections. This is one of the best I have read in recent months! I can't wait to revisit salt slow again.

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