![]() Ray purchases a muzzle but is loath to force his dog to wear it. One Eye’s nature is to run, to hunt, and to kill its prey, making it a danger to other creatures encountered while out on necessary daily exercise. Soon dog and man bond, Ray’s days revolving around his pet’s needs. He calls the dog One Eye and hopes its presence will deter the rats in his attic from coming into the main body of the house. The animal he chooses is damaged, in body and mind, reminding Ray of himself. The story opens with his decision to adopt a dog from a nearby rescue centre. ![]() Ray still lives in his father’s house, following a weekly routine that rarely takes him beyond the coastal village where he was raised. Although still young when she died, he was then expected to look after himself. As a young boy he was cared for by an elderly neighbour when his father was at work. Narrated by Ray, a fifty-seven year old man whose father died leaving him alone in the world, a backstory to what is now a difficult situation is slowly revealed. ![]() The writing remains taut and beautifully rendered throughout, making it a pleasure to read however hard hitting the subject matter. The story has a harder edge in the telling than her later work. Having enjoyed Sara Baume’s most recent novel, Seven Steeples, I was happy to discover her debut, Spill Simmer Falter Wither, on my TBR pile (yes, I lose track of what is on these shelves). ![]()
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