The Salt of the Universe: Praise, Songs, and Improvisations

by Amy Leach

A book of mischief and improvisation that answers fundamentalism with rage, music, and delight in this earth.

Where does freedom live?
Why does it sometimes feel so good to be told what to do?
What on heaven and earth is an apickalypse?

The Salt of the Universe raises these and other questions arising from Amy Leach’s experience, including her time playing fiddle and her childhood in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, with its many prohibitions (coffee, dancing) and its emphasis on the apocalypse. The book argues against argument, but most of all against fundamentalisms of all kinds and their limiting effect on our humanity.

After listening to thousands of sermons, Leach has written her own unceremonious sermon on the dangers of dogma. “To borrow the words of an old This is my story, this is my song."

In the company of four-year-old mystics and six-year-old geologists and bears and butterflies and willow trees, after a lifetime of playing the piano in church and dance halls, Leach praises not obedience but freedom, not secondhand but firsthand thoughts, not homogeneity but heterogeneity. She champions Emily Dickinson and Jesus over interfering prophets, questions over answers, unpredictability over predictability, the soul over the institution, Miles Davis over miles of marching.

Leach reminds us, amid a delight of linguistic cartwheels, philosophical shenanigans, and love songs to the earth, that we must run toward mischief, music, love, the wonders of nature, and the wild joys of experience and improvisation.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Essays

240 pages, Hardcover

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Amy Leach’s work has been published in A Public Space, Tin House, Orion, the Los Angeles Review, and many others. She has been recognized with the Whiting Writers’ Award, Best American Essays selections, a Rona Jaffe Foundation Award, and a Pushcart Prize. She plays bluegrass, teaches English, and lives in Montana. Things That Are is her first book.

Reviews

[Moonkiszt · Rating 5 out of 5]

. . .for the overchurched among us. . .

Having been a "born and raised" member of a very rule-y religion, this book reached out to me from the bookshelf, drew me close and wrapped its metaphorical hands around my real neck and stage whispered in an academic accent (provide your preference here) "she's talking to you - read me!" - and I did. The minute this is in print, I'm getting a copy for me and friends.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not looking to leap out of my religious choices (imposed 67% by life choices of generations past, parents devout, and personal alliances seasonally and pendulum affected). I have been very conscientious, I have been wholly lapsed, and I have been comfortably ambiguous. This author brilliantly gets me. She gets my children - most of who have jumped entirely out of religion's grasp (for now) - because of the rule-yness, the in-or-out mindset and the untimeliness of some of the culture concerns in religious organizations of today - particularly the one with which we are affected.

On the other hand - and Amy Leach does The Other Hand so brilliantly! - she doesn't discount a whit the joys, delights and blessings of regularly exercised faith, hope and charity. In fact, she adds to it with frilly giggles, lacey delights and heart-y guffaws. There are hilarious aspects of religious life - especially those in which ones are anxiously engaged from age 0 to 130 - if - IF - one can see the funny, and not punish those enjoying or providing the mirror and its uber-truth view.

No one "shoulds" on others as thoroughly as Religious Folk, especially of the Christian brand (but maybe all brands could be included here). I read this book as Amy Leach's Great Big Grand statement: Don't Should On ME! She gazes out to her readership with raised eyebrows - 'You with me?' - I'm shout-replying: Yep! Me, too.

Other bonuses: MUSIC! Lots of musical considerations, along with animal and botanical love, and an obsession with language that provided many paths down which to travel on philosophical bends.

A delightful read - truly a smorgasbook, can be done in bits and pieces, over time (I recommend the Sabbath (however you do that), after services. Get out of your serious suit, have supper, do the dishes, and carve your place out on the couch and check it out.

*A sincere thank you to Amy Leach, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and independently review.* 52:50

[Kennedy Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this my favorite of the books I’ve read this year? Of the year before? Probably. I giggled throughout and feel profoundly moved. This book will have to always be in my reach—a pick me up (“pick me up!”), an experiment of word play, a digestible (and far from trite) reflection on what it means to be a human…this is simultaneously and in equal parts about existentialism and child-frogs. And also, sometimes the Bozeman Walmart is where dreams come true.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's salty and joyful, and I want to read it again.

[mackenzie brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to FSG for providing an advanced reader's copy of this book via NetGalley for my consideration and review.


One of my favorite poems is Mary Ruefle’s “Short Lecture on the Nature of Things,”:

"(Turn vase into a hat and wear it)

You think the vase has become a hat; it has not.
My body has become an upside-down flower."

This whole book echoes this poem over and over. Leach reflects on her Seventh Day Adventist upbringing with grace, perspective, and lots of humor. A book of whimsy, a theology of joy! An affirmation of what I know from my own experience - that growing away from the smallness of dogma towards the infinity of unknowing is much fuller of gathering than loss.

Minus one star because it started to get slightly repetitive, and there were some metaphors that caused some discomfort. Her unwavering silliness and optimism started to grow tiring, though that may be more a reflection of myself than a critique of the book. However, these flaws did not distract from the thesis - that The Point of us as people is to always be as people-y as possible, to give in to the music, because, to quote Leach quoting Eliot, “You are the music / While the music lasts” (Loc 1366).

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a description like "a book of mischief and improvisation," I had no idea what to expect from Amy Leach's The Salt of the Universe. What I found was exactly that--an utterly delightful and unpredictable collection of lyric essays. Though the collection as a whole is informed by Leach's upbringing in the Seventh Day Adventist church, many of the essays focus not on condemning the group's suffocating dogma but praising the glorious, multi-faceted world of people, nature, music, and literature Leach found after leaving.

Often, when a writer speaks out against a high-control, cult-like group, it's in the form of a fiery diatribe. The Salt of the Universe couldn't be further from a fiery diatribe: Leach's style is experimental, playful, and brimming with joy, so much so that the essays take on the qualities of praise songs. I was particularly impressed by how Leach constantly recognizes and honors the humanity of adherents to Seventh Day Adventism, including it's founder, Ellen White. As she writes in an early essay, "Adventists are a lot like people." As people, Adventists are layered, nuanced, and contradictory, and Leach deconstructs the ideology by illuminating its absurdity rather than attacking the people who believe it.

The Salt of the Universe is not an easy book to describe or categorize, but it is an easy book to recommend. Philosophical yet fun, meandering yet meaningful, serious about not being serious, Leach's collection is a testament to freedom in all its forms, perfect for readers of nonfiction and poetry both.

Thank you to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for the ARC!

[jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unique, witty, wry, poetic, touching yet also a frustrating book to read to some degree . I read it thinking it would be a much more straightforward, spiritual memoir. I was interested in the subject that the author writes about, her experience growing up in the Seventh Day Adventist church. In the part of California that I live there are many Adventists and a number of Adventist hospitals hence the interest. I didn’t realize that a good portion of the book is written in a stream of consciousness style, which is where the frustrating part comes in to play. I believe this is a book that you need to read slowly which I did not. I had a number of books I was excited to read, and since this was short, I decided to read it quickly. I don’t feel that this gave my reading of this book the proper consideration it’s due. Nevertheless, there is much to appreciate in the authors story. I love the way she intertwined poetry, music, nature, and a childlike delight in life and an aversion to what she refers to as “ruley “ churches. I could connect with much of what she was writing about and I plan to go back to this book and re-read some of my favorite parts especially passages that I feel were meaningful. I particularly liked her comparing the writer, Emily Dickinson and Jesus in that they both approached religion in a whole different way.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to review this book for a publication and don’t want to replicate what I said there. This is a memoir that defies categorization—and Leach’s entire purpose is partly to celebrate the breaking of boundaries and celebration of freedom. It’s funny, insightful and full of childlike wonder and whimsy. Leach is also making a point about how she continues to love God, God’s Creation (including humans), and the Bible without doing so in a fundamentalist way. Because Leach is just a year younger than me and was raised a pastor’s daughter in the Seventh-day Adventist church, we should have a ton in common. But our brains are entirely different and so her experiences and the impact fundamentalist folks made are not at all the same. And maybe those are the best memoirs to read—ones by people who see the world radically different than you do. The writing is just fantastic.

[Kathryn Venning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Salt of the universe is witty, intelligent and also silly at times. I initially went into this thinking it was a straightforward memoir and so found the flow of writing hard to engage with. But when I wrapped my head around that it was more a series of essays, it because easier to digest.

I did feel a little disconnected with it at time as I am an agnostic Australia that was brought up largely without religion, however I still enjoy learning about people’s religious upbringings.

I think I am probably not the target audience for this book and so do not want to overly criticise the content. However, I did find the writing witty and very stream of consciousness, which is a style I often enjoy.

Thank you net galley for the free arc in exchange for an honest review

[Kate Belt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Leach has a talent for being playful with the English language and a sense of humor that I appreciated at the beginning. Spiritual journey stories is one of my favorite genres, no matter which religion (or none) is being discussed. However, I lost interest quickly as the author’s meandering, stream of consciousness structure was more akin to reading an unedited journal. Reading about her disatisfaction with her Seventh Day Adventist church felt more voyeuristic than relatable (For the record, I’m not of that faith community) . I’d love to see her turn her experience into a humorous and more relatable novel with a character driven and plot driven structure. Thanks to Netgalley for approving my request for this book. I’m sorry I can’t give it a better rating.

[Jerry Mahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've known Amy for many years, and this book is wonderfully typical Amy. Wonder, whimsy, wordplay, in a setting of curiosity. Amy rejects the Adventism she grew up in, and shares her reasons here. And though I'm an Adventist pastor today, I also reject the Adventism she's let go of, with its focus on restrictions and apocalypse. Though I don't agree with all of her conclusions, I enjoyed this book very much, and recommend it highly.

[Bethdwyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amy Leach is one of the most creative writers, I'm acquainted with. Her words circle around her ideas bringing you closer and closer to a center that cannot be named. It's like walking a labrynth.
Her writing is refreshingly unique. I would have given it 4.5 stars. I did get lost & bogged down a bit in the middle, but that could have been just me.

[Zaaccckkkkkk · Rating 4 out of 5]

spent a lot of early mornings reading this while Luna sick bathed. V nice. I wasn't always on its wavelength, but often.

"Our transience is our tragedy but also our beauty, because when you don't have forever, intensity is imperative."

"To God I say, thank you for the stars. I asked him for answers but he gave me the stars so I say, Thank you for the stars."

[Sally Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a long-ago born-again Christian, I thought I would like this book more than I did. I did really appreciate her whimsical eye and creativity. But I found the book to be repetitive and obvious and the recap sections to be kind of condescendingly unnecessary. This strikes me as a "stretched-out essay." But I do think she will write better work as she goes on.

[Sara Krantz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book may not be for everyone, but I had a good time with it! There were some laughs out loud moments and a couple of great insights. All and all a very entertaining book.

[Mia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy is a beloved friend and I was honored to read this book in draft. It is my favorite of all of her singular and wild and uncommon and brilliant books.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite author!! Thoughtful, lovely, authentic, poetic, witty, hilarious. I gasped—sometimes in surprise, sometimes in delight.

[Willa · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a delightful writing style and so many beautiful little pieces of wisdom

[Nicole Sheets · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good, especially Leach's takes on contemporary Christian music.

[Anya · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be delightful and a lovely combination of easy to read and thought provoking. Highly recommend!

[Louisa Khan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leach speaks my language. I’m constantly laughing out loud. There is more truth in these pages than a billion books! Must re-read immediately.

[Jaylene · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book reads like it was written by a 13 year old girl who just discovered diary writing and David Sedaris.

[Bianca Froebe]

Thank you Miss Leach, you are a magnetic poetess and an inspiration.