spill simmer falter wither by sara baume

He reasons that it is “better to be content with ignorance, I’ve always thought, than haunted by the truth.” Equally, he avoids any chance at difficult confrontations. His unwillingness to reflect back on the past is due to his steadfast choice to remain consciously ignorant about his own family life. Ray’s persistent focus on the present leads to frequent emotionally-charged dreams which he describes in detail. The story builds to a sensitive depiction of a deeply lonely existence. When bits of the past come to the forefront they do so with shocking emotional force since the rest of the narrative is so sedate. While learning to care and communicate with his dog, Ray reflects on life and the detritus surrounding him in his dilapidated home. It’s not often I’ll enjoy reading a book that withholds so much about its central character – for instance, I had issues with Rachel Cusk’s much-praised novel “Outline.” For the majority of “Spill Simmer Falter Wither” we know little about Ray’s past or circumstances. He finds it easer to speak to his pet over people because “there’s no need for the weighing and measuring of words, no need to listen to the way they stand in the air after my voice has finished.” This sounds like it might become an achingly sentimental tale, but it turns into a deeply sobering, atmospheric, pain-ridden journey about Ray and his canine companion. The narrative is entirely composed of Ray speaking directly to this dog.

When middle aged loner Ray comes across a notice for a dog up for adoption he impulsively acquires this one-eyed pet who quickly becomes his closest companion.

Spill simmer falter wither by sara baume