The setting of Cassandra Khaw’s new book The Salt Grows Heavy is one steeped in mythology and atmosphere. The landscape through which its central characters — a mermaid and a plague doctor — move is one that’s been through unspeakable trauma, and yet still has room to reveal new horrors. (One of those is a cult centered around resurrection.) I spoke with Khaw about the creation of this new book, how it relates to their other work, and what’s next.
Books of the Month: May 2023 Edition
How, exactly, did we get to May already? Normally, we’d make a joke here about the collapse of time and space or something similarly esoteric, but the hour is at hand when we should get to the recommending of books. And so here are some book recommendations for the month we’re in — and, if you’re behind on your reading, these books aren’t going anywhere.
Weekend Bites: Kate Zambreno Fiction, Terese Svoboda Interviewed, Tariq Goddard on Mark Stewart, and More
In our weekend reading: new work by Kate Zambreno and K Chess, Jennifer Egan interviews Terese Svoboda, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Barbara Browning Interviewed, Catherine Lacey’s Latest, Cassandra Khaw Previewed, and More
In our afternoon reading: an interview with Barbara Browning, reviews of books by Han Kang and Catherine Lacey, and more.
Morning Bites: Sara Driver on Filmmaking, Books About Jazz, Novels and Timelines, and More
In our morning reading: an interview with Sara Driver, books with strange timelines, and more.
Afternoon Bites: Cassandra Khaw’s Stories, Heather O’Neill on Robots, Locrian’s New Album, and More
In our afternoon reading: thoughts on Cassandra Khaw’s new collection, thoughts on robots on film, and more.
Morning Bites: Donald Antrim’s Memoir, Revisiting King Sunny Adé, Cassandra Khaw’s New Novel, and More
In our morning reading: reviews of books by Donald Antrim and Cassandra Khaw, notes on mourning restaurants, and more.
Morning Bites: Rebecca Solnit’s Nonfiction, Jackson Bliss’s Collection, Nick Cave’s Children’s Book, and More
In our morning reading: nonfiction from Rebecca Solnit, thoughts on Jackson Bliss’s new book, and more.