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mochagirl's review against another edition
4.0
Martha Southgate’s The Taste of Salt is a sensitive story centered on a woman attempting to save herself from her family and the serious repercussions that develop from her self-imposed separation. Josie is an accomplished marine biologist from Cleveland, OH raised modestly in a hard-working middle-class family; her father is largely a self-taught retired auto worker, her nurse mother is the daughter of a doctor. She and her younger, good-looking and popular brother (Tick) bonded in early childhood as their father slowly surrendered to alcoholism. Josie, the child, immerses herself in books and extra-curricular activities to avoid a miserable home life. It is no wonder, that the same pattern of escapism continues into adulthood as Josie pursues a successful career, a myriad of lovers and continually distances herself from her family – physically, emotionally, and mentally. Unfortunately, Tick, having succumbed to alcoholism in his early teens, battles his demons and loses, hitting rock bottom (again). Worlds collide when Tick shows up unexpectedly at his sister’s door forcing Josie to deal with her issues up close and personal.
At its core, The Taste of Salt, examines the effects that alcoholism has on any family. Its venom makes all loved ones victims destroying each relationship at various speeds. Although initially Josie seems to be the protagonist, the author tells the story in shifting first-person narratives from other key characters to provide insight into their heads and hearts. It is here in these snippets of memory we learn of difficult childhoods, broken dreams and disappointments and the never-ending hopes for healing. Despite Josie being African American, this could be anyone’s story because pain and dysfunction are not bound by race; however, there are unique perspectives from an African-American viewpoint that are skillfully rendered and factor into the story: their father’s migration North from the Deep South, Josie and Tick’s experiences at an all-white prep school, Josie’s demand for respect and recognition in a profession dominated by white males and her interracial marriage.
Southgate’s clever use of metaphors and similes tying the title and the aquatic themes into the story is clever and refreshing in this deliberate, solemn and well-written tale. Recommended for those interested in novels dealing with familial dysfunction, alcoholism, drug abuse, Alcoholics Anonymous/rehab and urban decay.
At its core, The Taste of Salt, examines the effects that alcoholism has on any family. Its venom makes all loved ones victims destroying each relationship at various speeds. Although initially Josie seems to be the protagonist, the author tells the story in shifting first-person narratives from other key characters to provide insight into their heads and hearts. It is here in these snippets of memory we learn of difficult childhoods, broken dreams and disappointments and the never-ending hopes for healing. Despite Josie being African American, this could be anyone’s story because pain and dysfunction are not bound by race; however, there are unique perspectives from an African-American viewpoint that are skillfully rendered and factor into the story: their father’s migration North from the Deep South, Josie and Tick’s experiences at an all-white prep school, Josie’s demand for respect and recognition in a profession dominated by white males and her interracial marriage.
Southgate’s clever use of metaphors and similes tying the title and the aquatic themes into the story is clever and refreshing in this deliberate, solemn and well-written tale. Recommended for those interested in novels dealing with familial dysfunction, alcoholism, drug abuse, Alcoholics Anonymous/rehab and urban decay.
whatsheread's review against another edition
The Taste of Salt is one of those novels that requires time to sit and stew on what was just read. The power of the novel only comes after the reader has had time to reflect. While it could be construed as depressingly realistic in its portrayal of family and addiction, there is an underlying beauty that rises to the top after time.
The name of the novel itself is a subtle hint to the pleasures and pain that await the reader. Salt itself can be delicious and necessary for life. At the same time, too much of it can be deadly. Salt, in this instance, can symbolize anything that is simultaneously good and bad for you - family, love, booze. In this instance, Josie's own love of the ocean is both a hindrance and a boon for her. She uses her position to keep her distance from her estranged father and her beloved brother as he spirals downward. Yet, she also uses it to maintain a tremendous chip on her shoulder about her position as a lone black female in a white male-dominated field. This chip also impacts her relationship with her family and with her husband and prevents the reader from completely sympathizing with her.
No one in The Taste of Salt is completely without guilt at the eventual outcomes of certain plot points. Therein lies the strength of the novel, as it forces the reader to question his or her own relationships and biases that one carries and that impact those relationships. Ms. Southgate also shines a light on the messiness of family and how interdependent family members are on one another. One simple hurt can impact familial relationships forever. It is a stark reminder that family is all that one has in the end and that no matter how far one runs away from them, that link always exists.
The Taste of Salt is a deceptively simple novel that stays with the reader for a long time after finishing it. None of the characters are truly likable, but all readers can relate to Josie's struggle to find her place in her field and balance her need for her family with her disgust for what has occurred. Ms. Southgate captures brilliantly the lack of absolutes that surrounds familial love and guilt. The Taste of Salt is a must-read for those who are interested in a thoughtful novel about family and love.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to GLiBA for my copy!
The name of the novel itself is a subtle hint to the pleasures and pain that await the reader. Salt itself can be delicious and necessary for life. At the same time, too much of it can be deadly. Salt, in this instance, can symbolize anything that is simultaneously good and bad for you - family, love, booze. In this instance, Josie's own love of the ocean is both a hindrance and a boon for her. She uses her position to keep her distance from her estranged father and her beloved brother as he spirals downward. Yet, she also uses it to maintain a tremendous chip on her shoulder about her position as a lone black female in a white male-dominated field. This chip also impacts her relationship with her family and with her husband and prevents the reader from completely sympathizing with her.
No one in The Taste of Salt is completely without guilt at the eventual outcomes of certain plot points. Therein lies the strength of the novel, as it forces the reader to question his or her own relationships and biases that one carries and that impact those relationships. Ms. Southgate also shines a light on the messiness of family and how interdependent family members are on one another. One simple hurt can impact familial relationships forever. It is a stark reminder that family is all that one has in the end and that no matter how far one runs away from them, that link always exists.
The Taste of Salt is a deceptively simple novel that stays with the reader for a long time after finishing it. None of the characters are truly likable, but all readers can relate to Josie's struggle to find her place in her field and balance her need for her family with her disgust for what has occurred. Ms. Southgate captures brilliantly the lack of absolutes that surrounds familial love and guilt. The Taste of Salt is a must-read for those who are interested in a thoughtful novel about family and love.
Acknowledgements: Thank you to GLiBA for my copy!
butyougotmysoul's review
5.0
I have to admit - this book took a few turns that I did NOT see coming. My fears of lone wolf syndrome were kicked out about 3 or 4 chapters in. This book was a really good, harsh look at one woman's life. I really enjoyed it and will be looking for other novels by Martha Southgate.
grandlarsony's review
3.0
I didn't quite like the way the narrator changed, or maybe what I didn't like is that the other narrators were supposed to be Josie telling someone else's story. It just seemed awkward. Otherwise, I liked the story.
pattydsf's review
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.
scherzo's review
4.0
The middle -- about her father's alcoholism, her brother's drugging alcoholism, her own sex addiction and her mother's denialism -- drags and plods, but the beginning and ending are very good.
amtl73's review
4.0
I had read The Fall of Rome by Martha Southgate about a year ago and then immediately read The Taste of Salt. But my bookclub picked it for my March read so I downloaded it again from my library and decided to re-read it. If I didn't enjoy Southgate's writing, I wouldn't have reread it! There are so many books I want to read that I only reread books that deserve a 2nd run...and this one does.
This is the story of Josie and her relationship with her alcoholic but recovering father, her addicted brother, her mother, husband and coworker. Josie works in a predominantly while male industry. Through alternating viewpoints, she paints a vivid portrait of Josie's love of the ocean and her job, her thoughts on marriage and monogamy and intimacy.
Josie is an accomplished marine biologist raised in a hard-working middle-class family; her father is a retired auto worker (self taught from humble beginnings), her nurse mother is the daughter of a doctor. She and her younger, very good-looking and popular brother (Tick) bonded in early childhood as their father battles alcoholism. Josie immersed herself in books and extra-curricular activities to avoid a miserable home life. It is no wonder, that the same pattern of escapism continues into adulthood as Josie pursues a successful career and isolates herself from her family - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Unfortunately, Tick, having succumbed to alcoholism in his early teens, battles his demons and loses, hitting rock bottom (again). A turning point for Josie comes when Tick shows up at his sister's door forcing Josie to deal with her issues up close
The Taste of Sat looks at how alcoholism effects family. Its venom makes all loved ones victims destroying each relationship at various speeds. Although initially Josie seems to be the protagonist, the author tells the story in shifting first-person narratives from other key characters to provide insight into their heads and hearts. It is here in these snippets of memory we learn of difficult childhoods, broken dreams and disappointments and the never-ending hopes for healing. This could be anyone's story because pain and dysfunction are not bound by race; but, there are unique perspectives from black persons viewpoint that are skillfully rendered and factored into the story: their father's migration North from the Deep South, Josie and Tick's experiences at an all-white prep school, Josie's demand for respect and recognition in a profession dominated by white males and her interracial marriage.
This book really makes you think about family relationships, internal struggles, and how your actions can affect others.
4/5 stars
This is the story of Josie and her relationship with her alcoholic but recovering father, her addicted brother, her mother, husband and coworker. Josie works in a predominantly while male industry. Through alternating viewpoints, she paints a vivid portrait of Josie's love of the ocean and her job, her thoughts on marriage and monogamy and intimacy.
Josie is an accomplished marine biologist raised in a hard-working middle-class family; her father is a retired auto worker (self taught from humble beginnings), her nurse mother is the daughter of a doctor. She and her younger, very good-looking and popular brother (Tick) bonded in early childhood as their father battles alcoholism. Josie immersed herself in books and extra-curricular activities to avoid a miserable home life. It is no wonder, that the same pattern of escapism continues into adulthood as Josie pursues a successful career and isolates herself from her family - physically, emotionally, and mentally. Unfortunately, Tick, having succumbed to alcoholism in his early teens, battles his demons and loses, hitting rock bottom (again). A turning point for Josie comes when Tick shows up at his sister's door forcing Josie to deal with her issues up close
The Taste of Sat looks at how alcoholism effects family. Its venom makes all loved ones victims destroying each relationship at various speeds. Although initially Josie seems to be the protagonist, the author tells the story in shifting first-person narratives from other key characters to provide insight into their heads and hearts. It is here in these snippets of memory we learn of difficult childhoods, broken dreams and disappointments and the never-ending hopes for healing. This could be anyone's story because pain and dysfunction are not bound by race; but, there are unique perspectives from black persons viewpoint that are skillfully rendered and factored into the story: their father's migration North from the Deep South, Josie and Tick's experiences at an all-white prep school, Josie's demand for respect and recognition in a profession dominated by white males and her interracial marriage.
This book really makes you think about family relationships, internal struggles, and how your actions can affect others.
4/5 stars
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