23 Jul Book Review of Dark, Salt, Clear: Life in a Cornish Fishing Town
A Dive into the Heart of Cornwall: A Review of Dark, Salt, Clear by Lamorna Ash
I feel as though I just returned from a wonderful trip! Lamorna Ash’s Dark, Salt, Clear: Life in a Cornish Fishing Town swept me away to the picturesque fishing village of Newlyn, so vividly painted through her poetic and lyrical prose. As I lingered over the words, I couldn’t help but reflect on how powerful a memoir can be, drawing you into a world that feels both foreign and familiar, rich with tradition and steeped in culture.
This captivating memoir had first caught my attention through a glowing review in the Wall Street Journal, a recommendation I found irresistible. Compounded by the allure of the stunning Masterpiece Theater production of Poldark and the poignant beauty of Rosamunde Pilcher’s The Shell Seekers, I knew that Ash’s account of her experiences in Newlyn would be a journey worth taking. After all, how could I resist a story woven into the very fabric of a town that is a cornerstone of its people’s identity?
In Dark, Salt, Clear, Ash undertakes the ambitious task of exploring the fishing community as part of her master’s thesis. Fascinatingly, she feels an intrinsic connection to Cornwall—after all, her very name is derived from a small cove there. As a young anthropology student, she immerses herself in the culture, history, and livelihood of the fishermen of Newlyn. Her witty, tenacious spirit shines through as she secures a boarding arrangement with a local couple, and her adventures aboard local vessels make for some thrilling reading!
The themes of community and resilience resonate deeply throughout Ash’s narrative. These men and women are bound not only by their love for the sea but also by the informal camaraderie that marks their daily lives. There’s a tenderness with which Ash describes the tight-knit relationships, both among the fishermen and within the town, where every familiar face adds depth to her exploration. “I don’t think I ever knew what community was before staying with Denise and Lofty,” she observes, capturing the essence of small-town life in a way that struck a chord within me.
Ash’s writing is nothing short of beautiful; her use of vivid imagery creates a tapestry where you can practically feel the sea spray on your skin and hear the distant cries of gulls. She transports you to the deck of a trawler, where the rhythms of fishing and the bonds formed among crew members are palpable. One particularly striking passage reads, “darkness has a character of its own. It arrives from every angle, a vampire sucking all sources of illumination." These moments of reflection are not just aesthetically pleasing; they evoke a sense of longing for the complexities of life at sea.
The narrative flows gracefully, allowing readers to share in every wave of laughter and every pang of homesickness Ash experiences. I found myself nodding along when she writes about the unique challenges faced by fishermen’s wives, who hold the fort and keep the family dynamic alive while their partners are away. It added complexity to the narrative, enriching my understanding of the community’s fabric.
For those who appreciate travel writing that blurs the line with memoir, this book is an absolute gem. Lamorna Ash takes us on a beautifully rendered journey, where the essence of Newlyn and its fishing culture leaps from the page. I was moved, enchanted, and oddly nostalgic as I wrapped up this memoir. If you’re searching for a book that captures both the wild beauty of Cornwall and the raw honesty of human connection, I wholeheartedly recommend Dark, Salt, Clear. It left me longing for a sea breeze and the rhythmic lapping of waves—a testament to the power of a well-told story.
Discover more about Dark, Salt, Clear: Life in a Cornish Fishing Town on GoodReads >>
