The young woman attempting to find her place in the world is the heroine of Jessica Andrews’ first book Saltwater which was published in 2019. After moving from Sunderland to a university in London, where she struggles to blend in and make ends meet, Lucy escapes to her late grandfather’s Irish home after graduating. It is a typical coming-of-age story, but it also contains a very uncommon element in literary genre: a working-class heroine who was created by a young and working author.
Depiction of bravery
The novel is presented in numbered sections, a hip literary method that doesn’t always work. But in Saltwater, the fragments fit the protagonist’s youth since, despite the fact that the internet is not mentioned, Lucy belongs to a generation that was reared on social media, a platform that consists of short passages of text dedicated to self-exposure. The structure parallels the characteristics of memory at the same time. When it pertains to Lucy’s connection with her mother, the writing is occasionally uncomfortably honest. This brave work tackles sensitive topics like alcoholism, class, handicap, puberty, and relationships between mothers and daughters. There are uncomfortable truths, but there is no moping.
Handling problems
While anecdotes and stories from Lucy’s background assist to ease the stress of adolescence, the shortness of the parts assists in breaking up the emotional intensity. The strength of the book lies in Andrews’ vivid depictions of Lucy’s friends, family, and neighborhood, particularly those of her single mother, her completely deaf brother, and Lucy.
Maturity in deciding
The subjectivity of one young woman is the focus of the entire undertaking. There isn’t much conversation, but even though the interiority can become old at times, it’s worth it for the novel viewpoint. Lucy is well aware of the conflict between wanting to stay in your community and wanting to leave. The book will provide those who stay comfort in knowing they are not alone. Saltwater warns those who stay that life exists elsewhere, but that discovering it can rip your heart apart.
Attracts with simplicity
Saltwater is poetic and prickly, unfiltered and funny, full of emotion at moments while remaining distant. A complex non-chronological tale, it alternates between the present tense and the past tense and is presented in brief chapters that are never longer than three pages. The novel picture clearly on Lucy and her inner journey rather than being dialogue-driven. Because of Andrews’ outstanding descriptive skills, the interiority doesn’t grate. It interweaves Lucy’s past and present stories. As a young adult, Lucy experiences some awkwardness in her relationships, city, home, and physical appearance. Reminiscence for millennials is Saltwater. Its simplicity makes it attractive.