It's my turn on the Blogtour Salt and Skin by Eliza Henry-Jones.
About the Author
Eliza Henry-Jones is a writer and academic based on a little flower farm in Victoria, Australia. Her previous novels have been listed for multiple literary awards including the ABIA, NSW Premier’s Literary Awards and QLD Literary Awards. Her work has also been published widely, appearing in places such as the Guardian, Country Style, The Big Issue and The Age. Eliza has qualifications in psychology as well as grief, loss and trauma counselling. Follow @elizahenryjones on Twitter
About the book
Grief-stricken and on the verge of a breakdown, photographer Luda Managan leaves Australia for a commission, bringing her two teenage children to a remote, weather-ravaged but beautiful Scottish island.
Luda, isolated from her two resentful teenagers, turns her attention to the records from the 17th century island witch hunts and the fragmented life stories of the executed women. Min, her daughter, restless and strong, tries to fill up the space in their family left by her father. She soon finds comfort in both the sea and an unlikely friendship. But the only thing that beautiful and gifted Darcy cares about is getting marks high enough for entry into university – one very, very far away from his mother. Until he meets the wild foundling, Theo, who slowly self-destructing in a community that is both protective and violent towards him.
But when a tragic accident unleashes ghosts and the echoes of long-ago violence and betrayal into their lives, the Managans must confront their unspoken histories in order to survive.
I loved the way this started deep and just kept getting deeper. It's an intricately drawn picture of family structures, especially when they are redefined after a tragic loss, perhaps more so when the death in question is in a cloud of doubt.
Luda takes her children, Min and Darcy, about as far away as she can from the place they know as home. To put the tragedy of their father's death behind them, to give her children time to focus on something other than disruption, to push her career forward - yes, a bit of a contradiction. Luda is certainly that, and her choices can be controversial.
In fact the choices she makes when it comes to her career can be narcissistic, as can she, if truth be told. What kind of mother exploits her own child in the name of notoriety, then gaslights them into thinking they are selfish to not want to save the world.
Perhaps her lack of acknowledgement of her own emotions is what makes her susceptible to the aura, the past, the inexplicable that lurks. Are the voices of the past and guilt-laden history calling to her?
It's a fascinating read. The characters are depicted with an incredible depth and nuance, the writing enhances how powerful the story is conceptually.
It felt as if the ending wasn't an accurate reflection of the entirety of the story. A little cut-off, blunt and without the sharp double-edged sword that's wielded throughout. Instead the mystic nature of the past, the ghosts and the gothic vibe take over, as it slowly envelopes the characters and the setting to make a last stand.
Buy Salt and Skin at Amazon Uk or go to Goodreads for any other retailer. Publisher: September Publishing; pub date 6th July 2023 | £12.99 | Paperback Original. Buy at Amazon com.
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