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alittleoverdue's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the premise of the book and the depictions of addiction, both from the addict and addict's family. However, the jumping between different perspectives didn't work so well. While it was really readable, the book did a lot more telling than showing and ended abruptly and unsatisfyingly. This book had so much potential, but ultimately failed to deliver.
henskm's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more than I did. There were points where I was engrossed in the characters and their lives, but not consistently throughout the book. I wish there had been more about the ocean and marine wildlife, given the main character's passion for both.
fusskins's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting story but a little thin. The writing was evocative, but a little too on the nose for me. I prefer my prose more sophisticated.
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
Josie Henderson is a marine biologist. She is the only Black scientist (female or not) where she works at the Oceanographic Institute of MA. When she was little she was teased about "talking White" etc. by other Black kids. Little by little she removes herself from the company of other Black people. The college she attends, the man she marries. Her good looking, popular brother Tick is an alcoholic and (sometimes) drug user. Their father is an alcoholic. The Taste of Salt is about all their issues, and more. I wish a little more attention had been paid to Josie's mother. She's a nurse and the daughter of a doctor. The book opens with Tick leaving a facility and heading back to his mothers house and, his job. It ends with his death. In the middle Josie starts having an affair with a Black man who starts working with her. We hear from her husband Daniel. Their conflicting feelings about having children is one of the things driving a wedge between them. I couldn't put this book down. I wouldn't say that Josie is entirely likeable. But her, her familial and marital woes are all very real. I liked the fact that we heard from all the characters. We saw the parts that we played. It ended a little abruptly. But, I admire the fact that Martha Southgate didn't tie everything up with a neat little bow.
nattyg's review against another edition
4.0
Sad. Haunting. I wasn't sure the direction it was going to go in and was surprised it ended so quick. A thought provoking book of human-ness.
pattydsf's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, thanks to the publisher and Good Reads for providing review copies to general readers. This is a great program and I appreciate the opportunity to read this story early. I'm going to make sure that we get some copies at my library - I think this novel will be well received.
I fell into this book without too much trouble. The story is begun with the voice of Josie, an African-American marine biologist. She is trying to figure out how she and her family ended up where they are. I found Josie's voice to sound true and Southgate's style easy to read.
While I was involved in the book, I had no trouble believing in the tale I was reading. Southgate showed me a world that I was unfamiliar with and gave me some things to think about. What is it like to give up family? What happens when you are a minority in all aspects of your life? How do you cope with a life like this?
I often say I want books to take me away from my world and show me another. Martha Southgate does that in The Taste of Salt. I would consider reading more of Southgate's stories.
I fell into this book without too much trouble. The story is begun with the voice of Josie, an African-American marine biologist. She is trying to figure out how she and her family ended up where they are. I found Josie's voice to sound true and Southgate's style easy to read.
While I was involved in the book, I had no trouble believing in the tale I was reading. Southgate showed me a world that I was unfamiliar with and gave me some things to think about. What is it like to give up family? What happens when you are a minority in all aspects of your life? How do you cope with a life like this?
I often say I want books to take me away from my world and show me another. Martha Southgate does that in The Taste of Salt. I would consider reading more of Southgate's stories.
skikatt68's review against another edition
5.0
This book resonated on a personal level that brought closure and healing. Southgate is a wonderful writer.
bklyn76's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. [I haven't been able to finish a book so quickly in the last 3 years or so!]
Fast, easy read that delved into the dynamics of a family affected by alcohol. Though very sad at times, there are moments that warm the heart too.
Fast, easy read that delved into the dynamics of a family affected by alcohol. Though very sad at times, there are moments that warm the heart too.
cowmingo's review against another edition
3.0
This book left me with a sense of the main character's loss. I liked the book, I just feel unsettled and almost voyeuristic into the characters lives.