A haunting, atmospheric novel that probes the darkest recesses of human mortality, Saltwash by Andrew Michael Hurley is a searing, unsettling tale that defies easy categorization. At its core, this is a story about regret, longing, and the desperation that can consume us when faced with our own mortality.
The eponymous town of Saltwash, a crumbling coastal resort shrouded in neglect and decay, serves as a potent metaphor for the psychological state of its septuagenarian protagonist, Tom Shift. Hurley's prose is masterful, evoking the atmosphere of a decaying world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. As Tom waits for his enigmatic penpal Oliver in the Castle Hotel, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of relationships that are at once fascinating and repellent.
At the heart of Saltwash lies a dark lottery, a macabre ritual that has become an annual obsession for its participants. The stakes are high, and the players are willing to do whatever it takes to claim victory – even if it means sacrificing their very souls. As Tom becomes more entrenched in this world, he begins to realize that he is trapped in a nightmare from which there is no escape.
Hurley's writing is a masterclass in building tension, slowly ratcheting up the sense of unease and foreboding until the novel's shocking climax. This is a story that will appeal to fans of folk horror and atmospheric suspense, but be warned: Saltwash is not for the faint of heart. It's a raw, unsettling exploration of the human condition that will leave you feeling shaken and disturbed.
Ultimately, Hurley's latest offering is a scathing critique of our society's obsession with mortality and the lengths to which we'll go to avoid confronting it. Saltwash may not be an easy read, but for those willing to confront their darkest fears, it's a rewardingly thought-provoking novel that will linger long after the final page has been turned.
The eponymous town of Saltwash, a crumbling coastal resort shrouded in neglect and decay, serves as a potent metaphor for the psychological state of its septuagenarian protagonist, Tom Shift. Hurley's prose is masterful, evoking the atmosphere of a decaying world where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. As Tom waits for his enigmatic penpal Oliver in the Castle Hotel, he becomes increasingly entangled in a web of relationships that are at once fascinating and repellent.
At the heart of Saltwash lies a dark lottery, a macabre ritual that has become an annual obsession for its participants. The stakes are high, and the players are willing to do whatever it takes to claim victory – even if it means sacrificing their very souls. As Tom becomes more entrenched in this world, he begins to realize that he is trapped in a nightmare from which there is no escape.
Hurley's writing is a masterclass in building tension, slowly ratcheting up the sense of unease and foreboding until the novel's shocking climax. This is a story that will appeal to fans of folk horror and atmospheric suspense, but be warned: Saltwash is not for the faint of heart. It's a raw, unsettling exploration of the human condition that will leave you feeling shaken and disturbed.
Ultimately, Hurley's latest offering is a scathing critique of our society's obsession with mortality and the lengths to which we'll go to avoid confronting it. Saltwash may not be an easy read, but for those willing to confront their darkest fears, it's a rewardingly thought-provoking novel that will linger long after the final page has been turned.
saltwashes sound like a super dark and twisted place to live lol its like someone took all the worst parts of summer camp and made them into a story 
but omg the author is probs some kind of genius for makin it so suspenseful 
i mean who needs that kinda drama in their life? btw im not sayin the book cant be good cuz u never no lol
I just spent the last hour trying to wrap my head around this book and I'm still reeling 
like I stumbled into some creepy coastal cult that only shows up on the last Tuesday of every month 
. Can we talk about how Hurley's writing is like a masterclass in building tension? I swear, my skin's crawling just thinking about it 
. The way he describes this dark lottery is like something out of a folk horror movie... but honestly, who comes up with this stuff? 
i mean, who wouldn't want to get trapped in this dark lottery thingy? but seriously, its like, the author masterfully builds up this tension & foreboding that'll leave u sleeping w/ the lights on lol. and the writing is just so descriptive & immersive, its like ur right there w/ tom shift experiencing all these creepy feelings 
I gotta say, this "Saltwash" novel by Andrew Michael Hurley sounds like some crazy stuff 
. I love how the author builds up that tension and unease – it's like watching a slow-burning fire 
that gets hotter and hotter until it explodes into something terrifying 
. Just be prepared to sleep with the lights on after finishing this one 
! The author is like a master weaver of dark magic, slowly drawing you in with his words until you're hooked on this twisted world 
. Tom's story had me feeling all the feels - regret, longing, desperation... it was like he was living his own nightmare 
. And that lottery thing? 
i mean, who needs Netflix when you've got Saltwash? 
but seriously, the idea of a dark lottery where people are willing to sacrifice their souls is super unsettling 
it's like he's holding up a mirror to our society's obsession with avoiding death 
. Overall, I'd say it's a raw and unsettling read, but also really rewarding if you're willing to face your darkest fears 
.
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Did you know that folk horror fans are 75% more likely to buy a book with 'atmospheric suspense' in the blurb? 
Can anyone provide some sources on this book that actually backs up its claims?
. anyhoo, if you're into folk horror and atmospheric suspense, then saltwash is def worth checking out... but don't say i didn't warn you 
... how can you say that it's a scathing critique of our society's obsession with mortality when Tom Shift is basically just whining about his own problems the whole time? 
. At the same time, I love how Hurley builds tension and suspense in his writing – that must be some serious skill! 
. But on the other hand, doesn't the whole story feel kinda predictable? 
. but honestly, that's what makes it so compelling - the way hurley builds tension and unease is masterful 
. And what's with all these weird rituals and games that people play? Just seems like it'd be too much for my fragile mind 
. Plus, the author is saying it's not for the faint of heart... I'll stick to something more lighthearted, thanks 
.
. But if you're willing to face your darkest fears, Saltwash is an absolute must-read. Trust me, you won't regret it 
.