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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
Sometimes things simply come down to taste and Sara Baume's debut novel, Spill Simmer Falter Wither is no exception. It tells the story of 57 year old Ray and his newfound companion, a one-eyed former badger-baiting dog, fittingly named One-Eye. The dog is initially taken in by Ray as a ratter. The reasons for Rays rat infestation are made clear in the novels latter stages.
The writing is bleak. It's as much a character study of Ray as it is anything else. And that makes for some seriously melancholic and tragic subject matter. There are flourishes of authorial brilliance from Baume - these are limited almost exclusively those passages which focus on Ray's position in life, how he got there, and how he feels about it all. These are the novels strength, it's backbone, and it is within that core that we find nuggety little gems of genuine beauty, which are helped along and augmented by Baume's writing talent.
But the sporadic intervals between these excellent insights into Rays character are all too often filled with poetic but meandering descriptions of the nature that surrounds himself and One-Eye. These are beautifully poetic and yet seem, all too often, like a needless distraction. A bit of descriptive sauce added to the novels mix - yes, perfect; but Baume layers it on heavily, to a degree that brings the word 'tedious' instantly to mind.
Spill Simmer Falter Wither is monotonally bleak. Bleak elements within a novel can really make it shine but, like the descriptions of nature, in this case the balance seems off. Ray is the definition of isolation and loneliness, without any meaningful sense of hope, if not in reality, then certainly within his own psyche. Without hope, there is no light and shade, nothing to counteract Ray's almost banal existence.
In spite of these issues, Baume does deserve a great deal of credit for managing to craft something which, by the novel's end, leaves the reader with a sense of meaning; a sense of purpose behind the writing. Ray's desolate existence, even if we have not experienced it directly ourselves, is something that we can empathise with. Ultimately, we are imbued with the unmistakable sense that Ray is a good man and that in spite of the scales of life having tipped against him, that kernel of goodness has remained inviolate.
Spill Simmer Falter Wither has some aspects which render it less than outstanding. Nonetheless, it is an assured debut offering. It's combination of distinctive prose and powerful plot certainly mean that it will burn itself into the readers memory, in a place from which it is unlikely to depart anytime soon.
The writing is bleak. It's as much a character study of Ray as it is anything else. And that makes for some seriously melancholic and tragic subject matter. There are flourishes of authorial brilliance from Baume - these are limited almost exclusively those passages which focus on Ray's position in life, how he got there, and how he feels about it all. These are the novels strength, it's backbone, and it is within that core that we find nuggety little gems of genuine beauty, which are helped along and augmented by Baume's writing talent.
But the sporadic intervals between these excellent insights into Rays character are all too often filled with poetic but meandering descriptions of the nature that surrounds himself and One-Eye. These are beautifully poetic and yet seem, all too often, like a needless distraction. A bit of descriptive sauce added to the novels mix - yes, perfect; but Baume layers it on heavily, to a degree that brings the word 'tedious' instantly to mind.
Spill Simmer Falter Wither is monotonally bleak. Bleak elements within a novel can really make it shine but, like the descriptions of nature, in this case the balance seems off. Ray is the definition of isolation and loneliness, without any meaningful sense of hope, if not in reality, then certainly within his own psyche. Without hope, there is no light and shade, nothing to counteract Ray's almost banal existence.
In spite of these issues, Baume does deserve a great deal of credit for managing to craft something which, by the novel's end, leaves the reader with a sense of meaning; a sense of purpose behind the writing. Ray's desolate existence, even if we have not experienced it directly ourselves, is something that we can empathise with. Ultimately, we are imbued with the unmistakable sense that Ray is a good man and that in spite of the scales of life having tipped against him, that kernel of goodness has remained inviolate.
Spill Simmer Falter Wither has some aspects which render it less than outstanding. Nonetheless, it is an assured debut offering. It's combination of distinctive prose and powerful plot certainly mean that it will burn itself into the readers memory, in a place from which it is unlikely to depart anytime soon.
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book made my heart ache in the best and worst way.
Echoing what has been stated by a lot of reviews - the writing in Spill Simmer Falter Wither is gorgeously lyrical and poetic. I wish I had listened to the audiobook version first.
It's not an easy story, in plot or in characterization (halfway through I was going to recommend it to my aunt. After finishing it I changed my mind, not because the story is bad or because I didn't like the book - it isn't and I really do - but at this time in her life it may not be the best story for her. Maybe in a few months or so I'll suggest it to her). Despite the flow of the writing (seriously, the writing. I would love to have half of Sara Baume's eloquence) there's a lot that's hidden for the reader to decode, or just left unsaid entirely.
And if you're thinking this is a feel-good book about a recluse who adopts a dog, I cannot emphasize enough how this is not that story. I would even go so far as to say it's not even really about the bond between pet and owner, but more about two damaged individuals who have no one else in the world they can relate to or connect with. This isolation is practically a third character for how much it pervades and dictates the narrator Ray's every action and thought. The fact that the other member in this relationship is incapable of human speech (and as the book reiterates, only comprehends so many words) makes Ray all that more isolated and also not, because he doesn't need OneEye to be able to communicate with him verbally for them to rely on each other. In fact, if OneEye was anything other than a dog this relationship would not have existed. Add to that a sense of uneasy dread growing as summer moves to fall and fall to winter and the book becomes a stunning example not only of how we can find comfort and companionship in unexpected ways but also how that always does not lead to some Hollywood happy ending.
It's just - I have so many feels about this book because it does evoke a strong, not always positive, emotional response. I get caught up in Ray's headspace in a way that is not always forgiving. (It also doesn't help that I lost my own furry companion in January of this year, either; this book brought up a lot of good, painful memories.) Spill Simmer Falter Wither is a subtle, lyrical punch to the chest that isn't going to leave me any time soon.
Spoiler
I want to share one of my favorite quotes from it, as an example of what I mean: "...I see a trailer with a portable billboard attached....The words of its slogan are barely visible through the dark. It says something like: MAKE WAY FOR A WHOLE NEW YOU. But it took me fifty-seven years to become this me, and I just don't have the stamina to make so many mistakes all over again."Echoing what has been stated by a lot of reviews - the writing in Spill Simmer Falter Wither is gorgeously lyrical and poetic. I wish I had listened to the audiobook version first.
It's not an easy story, in plot or in characterization (halfway through I was going to recommend it to my aunt. After finishing it I changed my mind, not because the story is bad or because I didn't like the book - it isn't and I really do - but at this time in her life it may not be the best story for her. Maybe in a few months or so I'll suggest it to her). Despite the flow of the writing (seriously, the writing. I would love to have half of Sara Baume's eloquence) there's a lot that's hidden for the reader to decode, or just left unsaid entirely.
And if you're thinking this is a feel-good book about a recluse who adopts a dog, I cannot emphasize enough how this is not that story. I would even go so far as to say it's not even really about the bond between pet and owner, but more about two damaged individuals who have no one else in the world they can relate to or connect with. This isolation is practically a third character for how much it pervades and dictates the narrator Ray's every action and thought. The fact that the other member in this relationship is incapable of human speech (and as the book reiterates, only comprehends so many words) makes Ray all that more isolated and also not, because he doesn't need OneEye to be able to communicate with him verbally for them to rely on each other. In fact, if OneEye was anything other than a dog this relationship would not have existed. Add to that a sense of uneasy dread growing as summer moves to fall and fall to winter and the book becomes a stunning example not only of how we can find comfort and companionship in unexpected ways but also how that always does not lead to some Hollywood happy ending.
It's just - I have so many feels about this book because it does evoke a strong, not always positive, emotional response. I get caught up in Ray's headspace in a way that is not always forgiving. (It also doesn't help that I lost my own furry companion in January of this year, either; this book brought up a lot of good, painful memories.) Spill Simmer Falter Wither is a subtle, lyrical punch to the chest that isn't going to leave me any time soon.
Wow! Sara Baume is my new favorite author. This story of a middle-aged misfit man and his one-eyed misfit dog is understated, heartbreaking, and oh-so beautiful. Baume creates poetry out of the flora and fauna along Irish country roads and the detritus washed up on rocky little beaches.
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent
This is quite a strange book but strange in a good way. The main characters are an ageing lonely man and a rough mongrel of a dog that he adopts. The words in every sentence are carefully chosen and is best read slowly. I was discussing the book with a friend who had read it and she hadn't finished it as she felt that nothing was happening. Indeed there is not much of a plot and when I went back to the book I felt it very slow and was struggling with it. Then I mentioned it to another friend who had also read it, and finished it, and she said "but it is so beautifully written". And she is right. I went back to the book and began to enjoy it again.
Then the road trip began when the older man and the dog take off on a random journey around the country. More and more you feel for the sad old man. More and more you want them to survive but you expect the worst. I couldn't stop turning the pages now and didn't want the book to end.
Overall it is a sad read but well worthwhile. The descriptions of the countryside is very well done.
The title is difficult to remember and a bit odd until you work out that it mirrors the seasons. Actually I replayed an interview with the author and she said she wrote each section in the actual season.
The other odd thing is that none of the 3 main characters are given a name directly.
I enjoyed it.
Then the road trip began when the older man and the dog take off on a random journey around the country. More and more you feel for the sad old man. More and more you want them to survive but you expect the worst. I couldn't stop turning the pages now and didn't want the book to end.
Overall it is a sad read but well worthwhile. The descriptions of the countryside is very well done.
The title is difficult to remember and a bit odd until you work out that it mirrors the seasons. Actually I replayed an interview with the author and she said she wrote each section in the actual season.
The other odd thing is that none of the 3 main characters are given a name directly.
I enjoyed it.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes