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Salt River Road
In the aftermath of their mother’s death, the Tetley siblings’ lives are falling apart. Left to fend for themselves as their family farm goes to ruins, Rose sets out to escape the grief and mess of home. When she meets Noongar Elders Patsy and Herbert, she finds herself drawn into a home where she has the chance to discover the strength of community, and to heal a wound her family has carried for a generation.
Salt River Road is a poignant exploration of healing and resilience, small-town racism and the power of human connection.
Salt River Road is a poignant exploration of healing and resilience, small-town racism and the power of human connection.
288 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2023
39 people are currently reading
1053 people want to read
About the author
Molly Schmidt
2 books25 followersMolly Schmidt is a writer and journalist from the coastal town of Albany, Western Australia. An only child, she grew up roaming paddocks and climbing paperbark trees on Menang Noongar country. Storytelling has been part of Molly’s world since she could speak. When she was ten years old, her father lost his battle with terminal cancer. Molly began writing to process this loss, and through written word has found healing, growth and her life path. Throughout both her journalism career and novel writing practice, Molly is passionate about producing stories that are inclusive of all members of her community. While writing Salt River Road, she collaborated with Noongar Elders from Albany, with the goal of producing a novel that actively pursues reconciliation between non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal peoples. Molly completed a thesis on the topic at Curtin University in 2021, supervised by Professor Kim Scott and Dr Brett D’Arcy, for which she received First Class Honours. This novel, Salt River Road, is the recipient of the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award. By day, Molly works as a radio producer and journalist for the ABC, where her passion for storytelling is put to good use. Drawn to the coast, Molly now lives in Fremantle where she enjoys free time wandering the beach and local coffee shops with her dog, Rupi.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
March 23, 2025
a moving story about grief that took me on a journey I wasn’t prepared for.
the tetley family are learning how to live without their mum who just lost her battle with cancer. set in the 1970s, in Western Australia, this is a coming of age story about two siblings.
the writing style is really interesting. it’s written in second person and means you as the reader are positioned as the mum who has passed away. It made it easier to connect to the characters and I think this was the first time I’ve read a book that was second person, and it was really cool. The book is also scattered with poetry throughout each chapter which I didn’t care for.
I think this may have been a case of “right book right time” for me. It was a very emotional read, but I’m also at a weird place mentally at the moment so I was already pretty upset in general LMAO. Perhaps if I was in a better headspace I wouldn’t have connected or enjoyed this as much.
This is a fiction which usually isn’t my style, I need something with suspense or romance etc. but in this case I didn’t mind. I wasn’t obsessed with the book but I also couldn’t put it down.
Although I enjoyed it and was engaged, I can’t tell you what I liked about this book. Even though it was impactful, I also don’t think I’ll ever talk about this book or recommend it to anyone in particular. It’s just one of those instances where it’s like “yeah, that was really good… next”. Perhaps it’s just my brain moving on quickly because it was too confronting for me emotionally right now.
I found that even though the story wasn’t being driven forward by the writing, I didn’t want to put the book down. Which is confusing in itself because I’m never like that. Basically there’s just a lot of questions here and no real answers. It was engaging but WHY? I’m not sure lol.
Chapters are really long but with plenty of breaks throughout each chapter.
This review is all over the place but so is my brain after that read. I’m giving it 4 stars. Mainly because of the emotion it drew from me. Not a must read, but can recommend if you’re interested.
the tetley family are learning how to live without their mum who just lost her battle with cancer. set in the 1970s, in Western Australia, this is a coming of age story about two siblings.
the writing style is really interesting. it’s written in second person and means you as the reader are positioned as the mum who has passed away. It made it easier to connect to the characters and I think this was the first time I’ve read a book that was second person, and it was really cool. The book is also scattered with poetry throughout each chapter which I didn’t care for.
I think this may have been a case of “right book right time” for me. It was a very emotional read, but I’m also at a weird place mentally at the moment so I was already pretty upset in general LMAO. Perhaps if I was in a better headspace I wouldn’t have connected or enjoyed this as much.
This is a fiction which usually isn’t my style, I need something with suspense or romance etc. but in this case I didn’t mind. I wasn’t obsessed with the book but I also couldn’t put it down.
Although I enjoyed it and was engaged, I can’t tell you what I liked about this book. Even though it was impactful, I also don’t think I’ll ever talk about this book or recommend it to anyone in particular. It’s just one of those instances where it’s like “yeah, that was really good… next”. Perhaps it’s just my brain moving on quickly because it was too confronting for me emotionally right now.
I found that even though the story wasn’t being driven forward by the writing, I didn’t want to put the book down. Which is confusing in itself because I’m never like that. Basically there’s just a lot of questions here and no real answers. It was engaging but WHY? I’m not sure lol.
Chapters are really long but with plenty of breaks throughout each chapter.
This review is all over the place but so is my brain after that read. I’m giving it 4 stars. Mainly because of the emotion it drew from me. Not a must read, but can recommend if you’re interested.
October 30, 2023
When Elana finally loses her battle with cancer, the Tetley family implodes. She leaves behind a hole in their lives that can never be filled. The father, like an automaton that has lost its power, winds down, unable to function at all just when his children need him the most. The family sheep farm grinds to a halt, and if something is not done then the family will lose everything. All the children are hit hard, but we experience the loss mainly through the eyes of Rose and Frank.
Rose and Frank, teenagers a year apart in age, have always been as close as twins. However, their mother’s death rips them apart, with Frank withdrawing, not only from Rose, but from everybody.
With seemingly nobody to help them the children come under the care of two Noongar Elders who have a mysterious connection to the father. It is obvious he knows them and that they care about the family, yet there is also a divide, a feeling of bad blood between them.
Interspersed between the chapters there are some beautiful passages of poetry that capture the grief and emotions of the children. I read in an interview that Schmidt was going to leave these passages out. I am so glad she didn’t, they are an integral part, and strength of the novel.
This is a novel about two young teenagers trying to recover and deal with the grief of losing a mother, but it is also a novel about reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing from previous generations wounds.
Schmidt must be commended for writing a story that honours and includes the culture of the Noongar people.
A wonderful debut that thoroughly deserved the Hungerford Award.
Rose and Frank, teenagers a year apart in age, have always been as close as twins. However, their mother’s death rips them apart, with Frank withdrawing, not only from Rose, but from everybody.
With seemingly nobody to help them the children come under the care of two Noongar Elders who have a mysterious connection to the father. It is obvious he knows them and that they care about the family, yet there is also a divide, a feeling of bad blood between them.
Interspersed between the chapters there are some beautiful passages of poetry that capture the grief and emotions of the children. I read in an interview that Schmidt was going to leave these passages out. I am so glad she didn’t, they are an integral part, and strength of the novel.
This is a novel about two young teenagers trying to recover and deal with the grief of losing a mother, but it is also a novel about reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing from previous generations wounds.
Schmidt must be commended for writing a story that honours and includes the culture of the Noongar people.
A wonderful debut that thoroughly deserved the Hungerford Award.
January 10, 2024
Salt River Road by Australian author Molly Schmidt is set in Western Australia in the 1970’s. This story focuses on the Tetley family who has lost one of their beloved family members. We are taken on an emotional journey as we see how this family try and get through each day and how it affects each of them.
We all have lost some close to us, so this book in part is a relatable story as it deals with grief and at times this is quite sad, heartwarming and a compelling read. This is a well-written story with characters you feel a deep connection to. Recommended.
We all have lost some close to us, so this book in part is a relatable story as it deals with grief and at times this is quite sad, heartwarming and a compelling read. This is a well-written story with characters you feel a deep connection to. Recommended.
November 7, 2023
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**3.5 stars**
Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt. (2023).
**Thank you to Fremantle Press for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 October 2023**
In the aftermath of their mother's death, the lives of the five Tetley siblings fall apart. Rose is abandoned by her beloved brother Frank, while their father Eddie is undone by his grief. When Noongar Elders Patsy and Herbert encounter Rose marching away from the mess, they take her home in a storm of red gravel dust that stirs up memories Eddie would rather forget. Rose, with the help of Patsy and Herbert, she will find a way to begin to heal not only her family's pain but wounds hidden for a generation.
Before reading this story I would strongly encourage readers to take notice of the author's note at the beginning of the book, which explains the author's motivations for this story. The manuscript won the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award - a wonderful achievement. The storyline is very well-written, with grief pouring from the pages. Primarily alternating between Rose and Frank's perspectives, the family's pain after the loss of their mother/wife is clear. When Rose meets Aunty Patsy and Uncle Herbert, she begins to learn things about her family's history that she never knew. While poetry is not really my thing, the prose poetry that is included between chapters is quite emotional and packs a powerful punch.
Overall: a well-written story that explores the effects of grief on families while also exploring reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
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**3.5 stars**
Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt. (2023).
**Thank you to Fremantle Press for sending me a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review; published 3 October 2023**
In the aftermath of their mother's death, the lives of the five Tetley siblings fall apart. Rose is abandoned by her beloved brother Frank, while their father Eddie is undone by his grief. When Noongar Elders Patsy and Herbert encounter Rose marching away from the mess, they take her home in a storm of red gravel dust that stirs up memories Eddie would rather forget. Rose, with the help of Patsy and Herbert, she will find a way to begin to heal not only her family's pain but wounds hidden for a generation.
Before reading this story I would strongly encourage readers to take notice of the author's note at the beginning of the book, which explains the author's motivations for this story. The manuscript won the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award - a wonderful achievement. The storyline is very well-written, with grief pouring from the pages. Primarily alternating between Rose and Frank's perspectives, the family's pain after the loss of their mother/wife is clear. When Rose meets Aunty Patsy and Uncle Herbert, she begins to learn things about her family's history that she never knew. While poetry is not really my thing, the prose poetry that is included between chapters is quite emotional and packs a powerful punch.
Overall: a well-written story that explores the effects of grief on families while also exploring reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
May 17, 2024
As a girl whose roots go deep in the Great Southern region of WA this was always going to be a must-read book for me. Set in and around Tenterden, a tiny stop on the five-hour drive to Albany from Perth, the story takes place a mere 30 mins from where I grew up. The landscapes, the smells, the seasons, I was looking forward it all.
Debut author Molly Schmidt had this story of the Tetley family in the aftermath of losing a parent on her mind for years before writing the book. She knew that interweaving Noongar characters would be important to the events in the story, but how to do this? Enter her collaboration with Noongar elders, a Masters thesis on how non-Aboriginal writers can include Noongar characters in their fiction, and the result is the Hungerford Award winning manuscript that became Salt River Road.
Told through the eyes of 16 year old Rose Tetley and 17 year old Frank Tetley speaking to their deceased mother, this is a story of the rapid descent of the family after their mother dies. The farm they manage is in disarray, the five kids lose focus, the youngest is left to his own devices. Family connections and friendships are strained. So we wait to see how they will emerge from this hole.
This is getting rave reviews, has been on various shortlists. The treatment of casual racism is handled exceptionally well and matches my experience of country towns of the time. Likewise the treatment of families who are not the local ‘landed gentry’. If you are interested in how authors write grief then I think you will love Rose and Frank and it shows that the author was able to draw on her own experiences well here.
Taken in totality the story is a good one, however I felt that it lacked narrative balance in parts.
Some of the most impactful elements of the story involved the weaving in of the Noongar characters who are central to the Coming of Age of the whole family, and they were not, in my opinion, brought in early enough or given enough airtime to turn this from a solid novel to a great one.
The Descent felt too laboured and the Ascent out of Family Hell felt rushed. The switch from dark to light being exactly that, a switch that felt out of character with the rest of the novel.
And finally, as someone from the place I did expect to feel more connected to the unique smells, sounds and vibe of the Great Southern which was missing for me.
So, depending on your taste in novels you will either love this entirely, or like me, appreciate it on one level while feeling it lacked something on another. Where we will all agree however is that this is a writer to watch because if this is her debut then her path forward is bright.
Debut author Molly Schmidt had this story of the Tetley family in the aftermath of losing a parent on her mind for years before writing the book. She knew that interweaving Noongar characters would be important to the events in the story, but how to do this? Enter her collaboration with Noongar elders, a Masters thesis on how non-Aboriginal writers can include Noongar characters in their fiction, and the result is the Hungerford Award winning manuscript that became Salt River Road.
Told through the eyes of 16 year old Rose Tetley and 17 year old Frank Tetley speaking to their deceased mother, this is a story of the rapid descent of the family after their mother dies. The farm they manage is in disarray, the five kids lose focus, the youngest is left to his own devices. Family connections and friendships are strained. So we wait to see how they will emerge from this hole.
This is getting rave reviews, has been on various shortlists. The treatment of casual racism is handled exceptionally well and matches my experience of country towns of the time. Likewise the treatment of families who are not the local ‘landed gentry’. If you are interested in how authors write grief then I think you will love Rose and Frank and it shows that the author was able to draw on her own experiences well here.
Taken in totality the story is a good one, however I felt that it lacked narrative balance in parts.
Some of the most impactful elements of the story involved the weaving in of the Noongar characters who are central to the Coming of Age of the whole family, and they were not, in my opinion, brought in early enough or given enough airtime to turn this from a solid novel to a great one.
The Descent felt too laboured and the Ascent out of Family Hell felt rushed. The switch from dark to light being exactly that, a switch that felt out of character with the rest of the novel.
And finally, as someone from the place I did expect to feel more connected to the unique smells, sounds and vibe of the Great Southern which was missing for me.
So, depending on your taste in novels you will either love this entirely, or like me, appreciate it on one level while feeling it lacked something on another. Where we will all agree however is that this is a writer to watch because if this is her debut then her path forward is bright.
March 28, 2024
With its use of prose and poetry
Salt River Road
successfully paints a picture of a family traumatised by the death from cancer of its wife and mother.
All of the family members are deeply affected by their mother's death but the novel concentrates particularly on how two of the children, Frank and Rosie, react and respond to the death. Each child takes turns addressing their mother in the text and there is no doubting the depth of Frank and Rosie's grief, painfully and powerfully portrayed.
There is a strand of the story relating to the grieving family's connection to Indigneous Noongar characters, Patsy and Herbert. I admired the way Molly Schmidt brought ideas about Reconciliaton for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the novel with the couple playing a significant role in the both the family's and the community's story.
All of the family members are deeply affected by their mother's death but the novel concentrates particularly on how two of the children, Frank and Rosie, react and respond to the death. Each child takes turns addressing their mother in the text and there is no doubting the depth of Frank and Rosie's grief, painfully and powerfully portrayed.
There is a strand of the story relating to the grieving family's connection to Indigneous Noongar characters, Patsy and Herbert. I admired the way Molly Schmidt brought ideas about Reconciliaton for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the novel with the couple playing a significant role in the both the family's and the community's story.
June 15, 2024
A family's journey through grief after the loss of their mother. Set in a small town in Western Australia in the 1970’s, this is a compelling read, poignant with beautiful prose. There is grief and racism but there is also healing and hope.
July 28, 2024
Such a beautiful book about a family trying to find their footing after the death of their mother and wife. Heart breaking at times, and interspersed with poetry (normally not my cup of tea but it was so beautiful and moving!) I was really touched by the way the community came together and it made me think of my grandpa who was a well respected shearer on his farm in the country ❤️
July 16, 2024
The descriptions at the beginning were beautiful. The poetry throughout was extremely clever.
A story about a family falling apart and then trying to rebuild after the death of their mother.
A slow plod observational novel. Sometimes multiple view points annoy me, but the story told from the various siblings POV’s worked well in this instance.
I felt so sorry for little Alby. My heart ached for him.
It all came together in the end - I’m just not sure what I thought of the story. The lows were so low and then when the highs came it all seemed too easy and too straightforward. The repetition of the grief, bleakness and the downward spiral was obviously representational - but, as a reader, I found it too much!
As a debut author I can appreciate she is going places though - this book had all the makings.
3.5 stars
A story about a family falling apart and then trying to rebuild after the death of their mother.
A slow plod observational novel. Sometimes multiple view points annoy me, but the story told from the various siblings POV’s worked well in this instance.
I felt so sorry for little Alby. My heart ached for him.
It all came together in the end - I’m just not sure what I thought of the story. The lows were so low and then when the highs came it all seemed too easy and too straightforward. The repetition of the grief, bleakness and the downward spiral was obviously representational - but, as a reader, I found it too much!
As a debut author I can appreciate she is going places though - this book had all the makings.
3.5 stars
April 26, 2024
A heart achingly beautiful book. Written from alternating perspectives, with poetry intertwined throughout. This book made me feel so deeply, and want to help so much. It was beautifully written and easy to read.
March 2, 2024
Hard to know how to describe his book. It is painful, at times harrowing, as a family deals with loss and grief. Community, coming together reignites life, a reminder that what matters is honouring life together.
April 1, 2024
Aargh!! The Tetley family's struggle after the mother and wife dies bring so much emotions out for me. I felt like I was grieving with them. The style of writing with poems thrown in kept me hooked till the end. There were times I had to stop and take a breather during chapters and pray that all ends well for this family. I would highly recommend this book to readers as the story is well written and shows us a culture and life of people we rarely know.
March 20, 2025
An emotionally resonant, character-driven story.
Set in the 1970’s in Western Australia as the five Tetley siblings and their father navigate their hurt and grief, following the death of their beloved mother and wife.
Exploring the power of community and the importance of belonging, this story is both sad and hopeful.
Molly Schmidt highlights the level of research she has undertaken to ensure this story highlights cultural understanding, despite some of the language and perceptions of the time.
This story includes narrative poetry, references to the study and artwork of native plants, in addition to the impact of generational trauma and racism.
Set in the 1970’s in Western Australia as the five Tetley siblings and their father navigate their hurt and grief, following the death of their beloved mother and wife.
Exploring the power of community and the importance of belonging, this story is both sad and hopeful.
Molly Schmidt highlights the level of research she has undertaken to ensure this story highlights cultural understanding, despite some of the language and perceptions of the time.
This story includes narrative poetry, references to the study and artwork of native plants, in addition to the impact of generational trauma and racism.
May 15, 2025
"Even death can be beautiful..." ❤️🩹
Read
May 18, 2024- thanks to @fremantlepress for a #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Salt River Road is a profound and emotionally evocative novel that should be approached cautiously. It is ideal for self-aware readers, so I highly recommend diving into it when emotional reads can be processed and appreciated; otherwise, the very heart of this novel can be missed entirely.
Schmidt's debut novel was a surprising delight for me. I try my very best to approach debut authors with the lowest level of anticipation I can muster to set myself up for an immersive experience, which I believe was crucial for truly enjoying Rose and Frank's story.
In addition to structuring this novel from the second person, Schmidt masterfully interweaves prose and verse for maximum emotional impact; bold choices that are tricky to implement, yet they work perfectly together to convey the unimaginable grief of a family that found themselves completely lost without their mother and wife.
But delving into the very core of human grief was not enough for Schmidt. In consultation with Goreng and Menang Noongar Elders, she adds a substantial storyline about connecting with First Nations family and community and the key to healing the profound and painful wounds of the Tetley siblings. Through Rose and Frank's experiences growing up in a small town in the 70s, Schmidt gives life to the historical and political climate contextual to the ever-present racism of the stolen land we live in. The pure rawness of discrimination and injustice is evident throughout the narrative, yet it is necessary to make a case for the possibility of human connectedness and community.
Overall, Salt River Road is an impressive experimental debut novel by an undoubtedly talented author. With an extraordinary and authentic characterisation and poignant storylines, Schmidt's debut is a gift for non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal readers alike. This work proves Schmidt is a natural storyteller, so I will keep an eye on and read whatever she writes next. 100% recommended.
Salt River Road is a profound and emotionally evocative novel that should be approached cautiously. It is ideal for self-aware readers, so I highly recommend diving into it when emotional reads can be processed and appreciated; otherwise, the very heart of this novel can be missed entirely.
Schmidt's debut novel was a surprising delight for me. I try my very best to approach debut authors with the lowest level of anticipation I can muster to set myself up for an immersive experience, which I believe was crucial for truly enjoying Rose and Frank's story.
In addition to structuring this novel from the second person, Schmidt masterfully interweaves prose and verse for maximum emotional impact; bold choices that are tricky to implement, yet they work perfectly together to convey the unimaginable grief of a family that found themselves completely lost without their mother and wife.
But delving into the very core of human grief was not enough for Schmidt. In consultation with Goreng and Menang Noongar Elders, she adds a substantial storyline about connecting with First Nations family and community and the key to healing the profound and painful wounds of the Tetley siblings. Through Rose and Frank's experiences growing up in a small town in the 70s, Schmidt gives life to the historical and political climate contextual to the ever-present racism of the stolen land we live in. The pure rawness of discrimination and injustice is evident throughout the narrative, yet it is necessary to make a case for the possibility of human connectedness and community.
Overall, Salt River Road is an impressive experimental debut novel by an undoubtedly talented author. With an extraordinary and authentic characterisation and poignant storylines, Schmidt's debut is a gift for non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal readers alike. This work proves Schmidt is a natural storyteller, so I will keep an eye on and read whatever she writes next. 100% recommended.
July 8, 2025
“Sometimes, Frank and I would pinch the salt shaker, lick our hands and stick salt to our bodies. Stand in front of the fan for a full-blown ocean effect.”
What stayed with me wasn’t a big moment, but how the author captures the small ones, the ones we usually overlook.
There’s something honest about watching people try to hold it together, even when they don’t know how.
The writing is clear and intentional. No big speeches, no forced emotion. Just people dealing with what life throws at them and that made it feel real.
And through all the pain, there’s something beautiful in the way people keep going.
I also loved the playlist the author put together, it added something soft and meaningful to the experience.
“I expect him to push me away, but he doesn’t.
I hold my breath and count to ten. Then twenty. Thirty. Forty. We drift into sleep while everything keeps changing around us.” ♥️
“This is the part no one considers. When the life has ended, but the chaos continues.”
“You rise up, higher and higher until the Blue Rangers fall away and sink into the songlines of the earth.
Ngank yira. The sun, rising.”
What stayed with me wasn’t a big moment, but how the author captures the small ones, the ones we usually overlook.
There’s something honest about watching people try to hold it together, even when they don’t know how.
The writing is clear and intentional. No big speeches, no forced emotion. Just people dealing with what life throws at them and that made it feel real.
And through all the pain, there’s something beautiful in the way people keep going.
I also loved the playlist the author put together, it added something soft and meaningful to the experience.
“I expect him to push me away, but he doesn’t.
I hold my breath and count to ten. Then twenty. Thirty. Forty. We drift into sleep while everything keeps changing around us.” ♥️
“This is the part no one considers. When the life has ended, but the chaos continues.”
“You rise up, higher and higher until the Blue Rangers fall away and sink into the songlines of the earth.
Ngank yira. The sun, rising.”
October 28, 2023
Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt is a coming of age novel set in a small town in Western Australia in the 1970s. It’s about teenage siblings Frank and Rose born exactly one year apart and it starts with the worst day of their lives – the day their mother dies from terminal cancer. Alongside Frank and Rose there are two older brothers Steve and Joe and one younger brother Alby who is only five. The book then unpacks the sibling’s grief and we bear witness to the whole family as they break down. Rose is numb but somehow tries to step in to be the mother as her father totally falls apart. Frank meanwhile goes completely off the rails.
Their story is told in alternating chapters occasionally interspersed with beautifully written poetry. Rose is still at school while Frank meanders aimlessly. No one seems to be thinking about the future and the sheep farm starts to decline. As we watch how hard grief hits Frank and Rose we also see the introduction of Herb and Patsy, local Noongar elders who have a connection to the family that the children aren’t aware of. Their role in supporting the family to see a future beyond their grief is pivotal.
I was interested to read that this debut novel came about via a creative writing PHD that Schmidt did which focused on whether a non-Indigenous person can ethically write Indigenous characters. She was able to work with renowned Indigenous writer Kim Scott and consulted with elders from her home town to seek their support for writing the story. I really appreciated this back story.
Overall this was a good book. It was well written though I did find the inclusion of the Indigenous characters to be a little bit clumsy at times. The grief was also relentless and at times dragged with heaviness. But I found the poetry throughout wonderfully written. Salt River Road is not a perfect book but it was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to @fremantlepress for my #gifted copy.
Their story is told in alternating chapters occasionally interspersed with beautifully written poetry. Rose is still at school while Frank meanders aimlessly. No one seems to be thinking about the future and the sheep farm starts to decline. As we watch how hard grief hits Frank and Rose we also see the introduction of Herb and Patsy, local Noongar elders who have a connection to the family that the children aren’t aware of. Their role in supporting the family to see a future beyond their grief is pivotal.
I was interested to read that this debut novel came about via a creative writing PHD that Schmidt did which focused on whether a non-Indigenous person can ethically write Indigenous characters. She was able to work with renowned Indigenous writer Kim Scott and consulted with elders from her home town to seek their support for writing the story. I really appreciated this back story.
Overall this was a good book. It was well written though I did find the inclusion of the Indigenous characters to be a little bit clumsy at times. The grief was also relentless and at times dragged with heaviness. But I found the poetry throughout wonderfully written. Salt River Road is not a perfect book but it was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to @fremantlepress for my #gifted copy.
October 6, 2023
This book was outstanding. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy to read!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Balancing tender and heartwarming moments of humanity and culture with a heartbreaking exploration of grief and its effects on our relationships with others, this debut is truly worthy of your time.
The way Schmidt writes is incredible. Each sentence feels carefully constructed, each word deliberate, and every page is filled with delicate moments between a family that appears to be falling apart. The way grief is explored, too, is tremendous - small actions, guilts, and regrets, are portrayed in a deeply sympathetic way as we watch these characters try to come to terms with what death really means, even if they have to tear themselves apart to understand.
The prose poetry interspersed between chapters was phenomenal also, real gut punches in the best way. I found myself wanting to re-read pages over and over, just to appreciate the beautiful sentences.
The book also features wonderful representation of the Noongar people in a way that makes tremendous efforts in the move towards reconciliation. I loved this aspect, and adored the way Schmidt incorporated Noongar stories and culture into the overarching story.
I flew through this book with tears in my eyes at practically every chapter. It's full of pain, healing, redemption, and reconciliation ... and it's a gorgeous, timely reminder of the importance of forgiveness and apologising, that it's okay to not be okay, and that we should always strive to be better. It's a phenomenal book that deserves to be read.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Balancing tender and heartwarming moments of humanity and culture with a heartbreaking exploration of grief and its effects on our relationships with others, this debut is truly worthy of your time.
The way Schmidt writes is incredible. Each sentence feels carefully constructed, each word deliberate, and every page is filled with delicate moments between a family that appears to be falling apart. The way grief is explored, too, is tremendous - small actions, guilts, and regrets, are portrayed in a deeply sympathetic way as we watch these characters try to come to terms with what death really means, even if they have to tear themselves apart to understand.
The prose poetry interspersed between chapters was phenomenal also, real gut punches in the best way. I found myself wanting to re-read pages over and over, just to appreciate the beautiful sentences.
The book also features wonderful representation of the Noongar people in a way that makes tremendous efforts in the move towards reconciliation. I loved this aspect, and adored the way Schmidt incorporated Noongar stories and culture into the overarching story.
I flew through this book with tears in my eyes at practically every chapter. It's full of pain, healing, redemption, and reconciliation ... and it's a gorgeous, timely reminder of the importance of forgiveness and apologising, that it's okay to not be okay, and that we should always strive to be better. It's a phenomenal book that deserves to be read.
March 16, 2024
Salt river road was beautifully written, a topic which is hard for me to read about personally but it touched my heart deeply. I felt the pain of this family and wanted them to find a way through their new normal. The first and last chapters were particularly heart breaking but also beautiful. The idea that our people are watching over those last moments and during our grief and leaving when they feel it’s ok made me think of my mother’s own last moments on this earth and how the last five years have been.
Something Rose says on pg 21 hit me with everything
‘Even death can be beautiful; you told me. Nothing about yours is.
Salt River Road captured so many realities of grief in my point of view. Grief turns your life and world upside down. Friendships change, families change. I am glad they found their way back to each other.
Something Rose says on pg 21 hit me with everything
‘Even death can be beautiful; you told me. Nothing about yours is.
Salt River Road captured so many realities of grief in my point of view. Grief turns your life and world upside down. Friendships change, families change. I am glad they found their way back to each other.
March 20, 2025
A poignant narrative exploring the aftermath that comes with grief and loss. The poetry is simply beautiful, and I think the strongest element of the narrative. I also loved how the themes of grief, reconciliation, connection and country were all intertwined. While some parts of the story felt unbalanced, I thought the ending landed well. I really enjoyed this one and I think it will stick with me for a while.
January 4, 2024
A sad but beautiful story of a family coping with a terrible tragedy. Told from the perspective of twin brother and sister and how they each deal with the death of their mother, as well as the other members of their family. A truly remarkable book.
February 22, 2025
4.5⭐️
Grief. Family. Finding yourself. Self harm. Suicide. Acceptance. First Nations.
Multi POV.
This book had me balling my eyes out, even as I write this review I have tears in my eyes.
The first chapter started off a little confusing until you realised what you were reading and it made sense as well as bringing the tears.
This book follows the devastation of losing someone and how grief can present itself in many ways. This was a hard but beautiful story to read with tears streaming down my face many times throughout the story.
Grief. Family. Finding yourself. Self harm. Suicide. Acceptance. First Nations.
Multi POV.
This book had me balling my eyes out, even as I write this review I have tears in my eyes.
The first chapter started off a little confusing until you realised what you were reading and it made sense as well as bringing the tears.
This book follows the devastation of losing someone and how grief can present itself in many ways. This was a hard but beautiful story to read with tears streaming down my face many times throughout the story.
March 20, 2024
I liked it a lot. Very impressed. Lovely to read Menang Noongar elders in a story like this. Looking forward to a Kurruh Mia tour soon!
February 23, 2025
I finished this book in 24 hours. It drew me in and I couldn’t put it down…
4.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
September 21, 2024
Really liked this story and tale of the characters
February 5, 2025
Set in Albany where I currently am and is a family friend of Sarah (who’s house I’m staying at). A really good read, I enjoyed myself.
November 29, 2024
10* Stunning. Exquisite. Heartbreaking. Achingly beautiful. Gentle. Hopeful. Restorative.
The way Schmidt illustrated the visceral pain, confusion, isolation and the messiness of grief into the written word was beautiful. She is a true talent and I look forward to reading more of her novels.
I particularly loved the way poetry was interwoven into the narrative. It was a seamless transition between the two forms and didn’t detract from the flow of the story at all.
I loved it!
The way Schmidt illustrated the visceral pain, confusion, isolation and the messiness of grief into the written word was beautiful. She is a true talent and I look forward to reading more of her novels.
I particularly loved the way poetry was interwoven into the narrative. It was a seamless transition between the two forms and didn’t detract from the flow of the story at all.
I loved it!
January 28, 2024
Wow! Couldn’t put this one down, except to weep a little or marvel at the emotive depths this book tapped into. Being a single mum who tends to fret about dying before my children are grown, this book drove a dagger straight into my heart. The two main characters, Rose and Frank, speak in second person to their mother who has recently passed away. Their grief is visceral and as their ‘reader/mother’ I just wanted to comfort them, but of course I couldn’t reach through the spiritual realm of the pages. A story of grief, this is a harrowing read, but is also a beautiful story of family, love and resilience. And if that isn’t enough, the author has also managed to gently explore the prickly subject of racism and reconciliation with a subplot involving the family’s relationship with Noongar Elders, Patsy and Herbert. Loved both the story and the brave, brilliant writing. I can certainly see why it won the Hungerford.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
This incredible debut novel by Molly Schmidt is a powerful coming of age story.
Set in the late 1970s, in a small town, in Western Australia. Salt River Road tells the story of The Tetley family, their grief, and the family dynamics after the loss of their mother.
Schmidt collaborated with Noongar Elders from Albany, to produce a novel that actively pursues Reconciliation.
The result is a tender and heartwarming story of love, community, and culture that explores the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments of grief.
A beautiful read that warms the heart, celebrates Australia’s First Nations, the rich culture and strength of the Noongar Elders.
Set in the late 1970s, in a small town, in Western Australia. Salt River Road tells the story of The Tetley family, their grief, and the family dynamics after the loss of their mother.
Schmidt collaborated with Noongar Elders from Albany, to produce a novel that actively pursues Reconciliation.
The result is a tender and heartwarming story of love, community, and culture that explores the heartbreaking and heartwarming moments of grief.
A beautiful read that warms the heart, celebrates Australia’s First Nations, the rich culture and strength of the Noongar Elders.
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