Review: Salt Runs Through

A contemporary coming of age story, Salt Runs Through was a delight to read. Set against the backdrop of the small coastal town of Ulladulla in New South Wales, we follow the young Miles as he explores what it means to be a teenager. At 15 years old, there’s nothing Miles likes to do more than to catch that perfect wave, hang with his mates, and stare at his school crush, Jenni, during class. But Miles’ life is turned upside down when he finds his ESM (Evil Step-mum) hanging around with the local troublemaker, Kegs O’Reilly.
 
Rafidi did an excellent job at immersing me in the story, with great visual imagery that reflected the uniqueness of the Australian landscape. I am a big fan of Australian fiction, so I was pleased with how Aussie this felt. Rafidi’s descriptions of the surf made me feel like I was swimming in the ocean myself, and as someone who has never surfed in my life, he was able to write about surfing in ways that even a normie like me could understand.
 
The novel was really engaging to read, with a good sprinkle of mystery and drama that kept me turning the page. Miles really felt like a teenager in this book, making the decisions (and mistakes) that teenagers tend to make. His observations and quick-witted humour often had me chuckling. Miles is a loveable character and it was a joy to follow him on his journey. His voice is very distinct, chock full of the Aussie slang we’re all familiar with but rarely see in print.
 
Salt Runs Through also has a diverse range of characters, lending a voice to the many types of people that call this country home. From First Nations’ voices to second generation Australians, Rafidi shows us that there simply isn’t just one way to be an Aussie.
 
Weaving together themes of family, connection, and community, this is an excellent and relatable story for any teenager to read.
 

Review by Kacy Toombs