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A review by kjonker
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I had to sit with this one for a moment.
There is so much more here than meets the eye.
The Little Mermaid, retold? Maybe?
This story follows a mermaid who has been captured and held in captivity by a prince. He is trying desperately to domesticate and "humanize" her. She becomes pregnant and also befriends a plague doctor in the process I'm still not sure about the author's decision to make this character a "plague doctor". I want to think it's symbolic. There is the "plague" of greed and false "religion" and exploitation of the young all through this story. But then I wonder if I'm drawing conclusions not meant by the author. I have no idea.
After the birth of her daughters they eviscerate and devour their father and his kingdom, like, literally./>spoiler>
This is where the story begins; the mermaid is now free from captivity and begins a journey with the plague doctor. Along the way they encounter a cult of children who worship three creepy saints who routinely cannibalize and "rebuild" the children over and over again in a Frankenstein's monster sort of way. The children blindly except this because of the brainwashing of the saints. They are told this is the path to immortality and enlightenment.
There are so many places my mind goes here. So many parallels I draw with "real life". Still unsure if this is even the intention of the author *shrugs*
The ending, through all the gore (there is a lot of gore) is actually very beautiful. There is the strength and tenacity of love. Hope. And forever.
Overall, this was a very strange read. Several times I thought, "Ok. No. This is just weird". The prose, although beautiful and poetic it was somewhat convoluted. I attempted to add it to a DNF stack, but there was something about the story that compelled me to finish. Would I recommend this book? I have no idea.
Read it. Don't read it.
I will say that I'm glad I finished it. It will be a story I think about for a long time.
There is so much more here than meets the eye.
The Little Mermaid, retold? Maybe?
This story follows a mermaid who has been captured and held in captivity by a prince. He is trying desperately to domesticate and "humanize" her. She becomes pregnant and also befriends a plague doctor in the process I'm still not sure about the author's decision to make this character a "plague doctor". I want to think it's symbolic. There is the "plague" of greed and false "religion" and exploitation of the young all through this story. But then I wonder if I'm drawing conclusions not meant by the author. I have no idea.
This is where the story begins; the mermaid is now free from captivity and begins a journey with the plague doctor. Along the way they encounter a cult of children who worship three creepy saints who routinely cannibalize and "rebuild" the children over and over again in a Frankenstein's monster sort of way. The children blindly except this because of the brainwashing of the saints. They are told this is the path to immortality and enlightenment.
There are so many places my mind goes here. So many parallels I draw with "real life". Still unsure if this is even the intention of the author *shrugs*
The ending, through all the gore (there is a lot of gore) is actually very beautiful. There is the strength and tenacity of love. Hope. And forever.
Overall, this was a very strange read. Several times I thought, "Ok. No. This is just weird". The prose, although beautiful and poetic it was somewhat convoluted. I attempted to add it to a DNF stack, but there was something about the story that compelled me to finish. Would I recommend this book? I have no idea.
Read it. Don't read it.
I will say that I'm glad I finished it. It will be a story I think about for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Gore