A combination of fantasy and horror, The Salt Grows Heavy is a haunting and gory novella that will occupy your mind for days after finishing it. Full of grotesque and macabre details, this book will grab you by the throat and not let you look away. Cassandra Khaw disturbingly retells the myth we all know and love about Ariel the Little Mermaid and her Price Eric. But this tale is no Disney movie.
We all think we know how the story goes: a mermaid falls in love with a prince, exchanges her voice for legs, escapes, and marries her prince, living happily ever after. The Salt Grows Heavy reminds its readers that mermaids have a razor-sharp bite, and they’re not afraid to use it.
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The Salt Grows Heavy Summary
The protagonist of this tale is not the cartoon Ariel we all grew up with. Reflecting on the myths’ roots – the original Hans Christen Anderson story – we are faced with dark realities and harsh conditions. When reading from the perspective of the creature we might call Ariel, it’s more than clear that this is no fairytale mermaid. mermaid is processing emotions and events differently than humans would and views the world through different eyes. In fact, she has been referred to as the mother of all monsters – and in the end, what is so wrong with being a monster?
What Is The Salt Grows Heavy About?
Following the harrowing aftermath of her children wreaking havoc on the kingdom, the mermaid escapes from her situation and is met on the snowy road by a plague doctor. They have both witnessed the harsh reality of the world and are ready to leave it behind.
[T]here is nothing fair or sweet about this world.
The two embark on a journey together and try to learn more about one another. In classic form, this task is rendered difficult as the mermaid cannot speak. However slowly, as they go on they start to discover small details about one another. Eventually, the plague doctor reveals more about who they are, and in turn, our mermaid conveys how she feels about the stories told of her kin, and her marriage.
Shortly thereafter, they come upon a village deep in the forest they have journeyed into. Filled with children who do not appear to age, the children are filled with a bloodlust that the plague doctor seems to recognize. They then meet the three saints who control the children and are drawn into the religion of sorts that is being run out of these woods…
Lies, all of them. Myths to make my captivity more palatable.
The Salt Grows Heavy Review
With twisted descriptions and a fascinatingly dark take on a classic story, The Salt Grows Heavy crafts an effective horror escape within just over 100 pages. It was an enjoyably macabre story, and much of the darkness shocked this reader, who grew up with a beautiful red-haired mermaid who spent her days combing her hair with a fork. Cassandra Khaw takes readers on a journey that feels almost sensuous in spite of its subject matter.
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Embark on an eerie journey with The Salt Grows Heavy – an oasis for those enchanted by the peculiar, much like Lydia Deetz. In a world saturated with saccharine endings and Disney remakes, this refuge beckons those seeking a different narrative tune. Within its pages, tales unfold where shadows dance and mysteries defy convention, offering solace to those who crave an escape from the mundane.
Bonus: as a short novella, readers can get their creepy fix in a small dose.
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The Review
A haunting and captivating story that explores the dark realties of the world and the myths that live within it.
PROS
- Writing style
- Vocabulary
CONS
- Short Novella
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