The Book of Salt

“I was certain to find the familiar sting of salt, but what I needed to know was what kind: kitchen, sweat, tears or the sea.”

Salt recurs throughout the novel. It is the name of the manuscript Binh swipes from Stein, which turns out to be about Binh’s life. Binh’s time on the ship was covered in sea salt. And, of course, as a cook, Binh uses salt as a tool—a tool that sometimes produces the opposite effect, as Binh mentions that salt brings out the sweet taste in food.

“Every kitchen is a homecoming, a respite, where I am the village elder, sage and revered. Every kitchen is a familiar story that I can embellish with saffron, cardamom, bay laurel, and lavender.”

For Binh, a kitchen is a place where he can be respected and can always communicate clearly. He commands, controls, and creates. Also, growing up at home, the kitchen was a refuge for both his mother and himself. Free from his father’s presence and cruelty, both Binh and his mother could be at ease and find some joy in simple tasks such as cooking.

“I want to be at sea again, I thought. I want to be at sea again.”

Binh wants to be at the mercy of the waves of passion, attraction, lust, and love. He wants to rise and fall on the waves of emotions, just as he had been on actual waves during his three years as a ship crewman.