What do you think?
Rate this book
Sallowsfield: A Novel (Volume 7)
Wyatt W. Sallow, MBA—poet, business ethics professor, and coach of the 8th ranked collegiate chess team in East Texas—travels to the heart of northern England to trace his family origins in mundane Sallowsfield, only to find his supposed ancestry a mirage. He does have a real past, however: one that stalks him across the green hillsides in echoes of his catastrophic marriage, the lingering shadow of a lost child, and—there, in person, inexplicably emerging from the town’s faux-Victorian train station—“X,” the enigmatic object of his unrequited passion and a figure as perplexing as an algebraic variable. On his eight-day tour/pilgrimage/mock epic journey, Wyatt pursues the specter of his lost love and crosses paths with the citizens of this down-at-its-heels market town as they struggle to grasp the all-consuming obsessions, ghosts, and X-factors that confound their days. Thought-provoking yet dryly humorous, Sallowsfield weaves diverse elements into a story both light-hearted and philosophical, exploring along the way universal human touchstones of obsession, ruined love and the inexplicable mysteries that shape our lives.
390 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2024
10 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 21, 2025
I liked this. It was a decent read. Literary fiction is not a genre I have read a great deal of. So it's good to broaden my experience of the genre. The premise was good. I like how the story unfolded.
The story was written well and flowed nicely. It was descriptive and gave good visuals. There were no plot holes or unanswered questions.
The characterisation was excellent and they cast of characters was interesting. Wyatt was a good character and it was fun watching his journey unfold.
The book is in third person from Wyatt's point of view. This worked well in the scheme of the book.
I really recommend this to you all. Especially if you enjoy literary fiction.
The story was written well and flowed nicely. It was descriptive and gave good visuals. There were no plot holes or unanswered questions.
The characterisation was excellent and they cast of characters was interesting. Wyatt was a good character and it was fun watching his journey unfold.
The book is in third person from Wyatt's point of view. This worked well in the scheme of the book.
I really recommend this to you all. Especially if you enjoy literary fiction.
November 20, 2024
A departure from my usual choice in fiction, Sallowsfield turned out to be an utterly absorbing read. With its non-linear timeline, numerous locations, multitude of characters, and multiple points of view, this book demanded my attention like no other I’ve read recently. It was hilarious in parts, affecting in others, engaging all throughout.
See my full review on my blog Carpe Diem Chronicles at maidamalby.com.
See my full review on my blog Carpe Diem Chronicles at maidamalby.com.
May 16, 2025
This book took me a little while to really get stuck into as I don't tend to read too much in this genre normally.
However, I love to take a chance and broaden my reading and this really was a great choice and soon had me immersed in Wyatt's journey.
I loved Wyatt as a character as there was a lot going on for him and a lot to explore.
Hailing from Texas, he sets off on a journey to find out about his heritage and background and heads over to the North of England and the little market town of Sallowsfield.
The town reminded me of so many of the towns around where I grew up and it was great to visualise the places and people that Wyatt came to encounter along the way.
It was really interesting to see Wyatt navigate England and the British people and ways and found a fair few of these interactions so funny to watch as they play out.
He really did just blinder his way through each event on his mission to find his own meaning to life.
Although it took a bit longer to get through this than my usual read, I've come through the end looking back and musing on some of the events and thinking more about how it's the littlest things that often change the course of our lives without us realising at the time.
A really enjoyable read overall! Loved the writing style and feel like I wouldn't shy away from this genre in the future.
However, I love to take a chance and broaden my reading and this really was a great choice and soon had me immersed in Wyatt's journey.
I loved Wyatt as a character as there was a lot going on for him and a lot to explore.
Hailing from Texas, he sets off on a journey to find out about his heritage and background and heads over to the North of England and the little market town of Sallowsfield.
The town reminded me of so many of the towns around where I grew up and it was great to visualise the places and people that Wyatt came to encounter along the way.
It was really interesting to see Wyatt navigate England and the British people and ways and found a fair few of these interactions so funny to watch as they play out.
He really did just blinder his way through each event on his mission to find his own meaning to life.
Although it took a bit longer to get through this than my usual read, I've come through the end looking back and musing on some of the events and thinking more about how it's the littlest things that often change the course of our lives without us realising at the time.
A really enjoyable read overall! Loved the writing style and feel like I wouldn't shy away from this genre in the future.
April 28, 2025
Sallowsfield by Hudder is a book about a Texas college professor named Wyatt Sallow, who is traveling to England to look for his ancestry...but finds out he doesn't have English heritage from the small village of Sallowsfield. This story starts out with an interesting first chapter about Sallow and some dogs trying to attack him, when he hasn't done anything to provoke the dog. He is wondering why the dog is attacking him and there is this scene well written anxiety between Sallow and this dog who is owned by one of 2 women. The women are not happy with Sallow as they think he is an not nice person who is provoking their dog. Which is not true.
This is such an unusual fiction read in a good way, there is no timeline for the story. You get to be plopped down in various places and also you get to talk with the taxi driver who ends up driving Sallow around everywhere. We also as the readers get to hear about many different women who are involved in Sallow's life and we get to hear the backstories about how they met. Sallow has so many questions on his journey about who he is and how he got to where he is. If you like a book where you can really concentrate and delve into the descriptions and about a man and his search for identity and familial heritage you will love this book!
This is such an unusual fiction read in a good way, there is no timeline for the story. You get to be plopped down in various places and also you get to talk with the taxi driver who ends up driving Sallow around everywhere. We also as the readers get to hear about many different women who are involved in Sallow's life and we get to hear the backstories about how they met. Sallow has so many questions on his journey about who he is and how he got to where he is. If you like a book where you can really concentrate and delve into the descriptions and about a man and his search for identity and familial heritage you will love this book!
November 21, 2024
Wyatt is a fascinating and rather hapless main character in this well-written new literary novel. Reading his story was a delight and thought-provoking. It was funny in places, but also sad as the distressing events of his past are slowly revealed throughout. Life is never just one thing, and this truth is illustrated so well in Sallowsfield.
When Wyatt makes the long trip to Sallowsfield from Texas to connect with what he has been told is the English birthplace of his family, not only is he on that quest but one more of the “heart.” A fleeting image of a woman he believes is his latest lost love sends him on another quest, and part of his journey through the town is in an effort to find her. The conversations with Hussain, the taxi driver who drives Wyatt from one place to another are in some ways an invitation to Wyatt to reexamine the need to find this woman that he refers to as X, but Wyatt can’t seem to let go of the obsession.
Obsession is a trait he battles in many ways, from how he can’t walk through stanchions between a parking and walking area without touching them in a particular pattern, to following through on a determination to do something, even when it’s clear he should not. Like trying to walk down a steep hill as a shortcut.
Wyatt meets several women that touch his life, if only briefly. Amy who manages the hotel where Wyatt has a room, and Gail, who he meets at the University. Both women are introduced with full backstories that are quite interesting and have a bit of the same eccentricity and emotional misery that marks Wyatt’s life. Gail’s experience with the outdoor summer concert in West Texas with her friend, Kathy and a bag of mushrooms, is a mix of humorous and depressing, much like his encounter with a fellow professor at the Texas college, Priyanka Chaudry. Chaudry comes into Wyatt’s trailer as he is in a compromising position and lamenting the loss of X. There is humor there, but also sadness to see how much Wyatt needs the comfort of this professor-friend who he will never see again.
I highlighted a number of things that made me stop for a moment as I read. In this scene when he’s first met X and they’re forming a relationship of sorts, they talk about her wanting to put a lock of her hair in his casket when he dies. She says, “The point of it is, I’ll spend the rest of time intermingled with you. But it makes me sad.”
He tries for a joke, ” From Hair to eternity.”
“…laughing with her made him feel good. It had made him feel good on both of the occasions it had happened.”
So much is revealed about their relationship in that simple sentence, like how he deflects her sadness with an attempt at humor as well as a deep longing on his part.
Every aspect of the writing is so well done, and the descriptions are presented with an artist’s eye such as, “Here, fields as regularly shaped as quilt panels hug the hillsides, their borders marked by what he would be very interested to know are called hedgerows…” Maybe this one resonated with me because I’m a quilter, but I could clearly see the patterns.
Sallowsfield is deserving of all the accolades it has already received, and I add mine to the list. If you like a literary novel that explores various aspects of human nature and presents it all with a character who will make you laugh and perhaps shed a tear, don’t pass up this terrific book.
When Wyatt makes the long trip to Sallowsfield from Texas to connect with what he has been told is the English birthplace of his family, not only is he on that quest but one more of the “heart.” A fleeting image of a woman he believes is his latest lost love sends him on another quest, and part of his journey through the town is in an effort to find her. The conversations with Hussain, the taxi driver who drives Wyatt from one place to another are in some ways an invitation to Wyatt to reexamine the need to find this woman that he refers to as X, but Wyatt can’t seem to let go of the obsession.
Obsession is a trait he battles in many ways, from how he can’t walk through stanchions between a parking and walking area without touching them in a particular pattern, to following through on a determination to do something, even when it’s clear he should not. Like trying to walk down a steep hill as a shortcut.
Wyatt meets several women that touch his life, if only briefly. Amy who manages the hotel where Wyatt has a room, and Gail, who he meets at the University. Both women are introduced with full backstories that are quite interesting and have a bit of the same eccentricity and emotional misery that marks Wyatt’s life. Gail’s experience with the outdoor summer concert in West Texas with her friend, Kathy and a bag of mushrooms, is a mix of humorous and depressing, much like his encounter with a fellow professor at the Texas college, Priyanka Chaudry. Chaudry comes into Wyatt’s trailer as he is in a compromising position and lamenting the loss of X. There is humor there, but also sadness to see how much Wyatt needs the comfort of this professor-friend who he will never see again.
I highlighted a number of things that made me stop for a moment as I read. In this scene when he’s first met X and they’re forming a relationship of sorts, they talk about her wanting to put a lock of her hair in his casket when he dies. She says, “The point of it is, I’ll spend the rest of time intermingled with you. But it makes me sad.”
He tries for a joke, ” From Hair to eternity.”
“…laughing with her made him feel good. It had made him feel good on both of the occasions it had happened.”
So much is revealed about their relationship in that simple sentence, like how he deflects her sadness with an attempt at humor as well as a deep longing on his part.
Every aspect of the writing is so well done, and the descriptions are presented with an artist’s eye such as, “Here, fields as regularly shaped as quilt panels hug the hillsides, their borders marked by what he would be very interested to know are called hedgerows…” Maybe this one resonated with me because I’m a quilter, but I could clearly see the patterns.
Sallowsfield is deserving of all the accolades it has already received, and I add mine to the list. If you like a literary novel that explores various aspects of human nature and presents it all with a character who will make you laugh and perhaps shed a tear, don’t pass up this terrific book.
November 24, 2024
Intricate and surprising, a gift wrapped in many layers.
Sallowsfield is the new novel by Cliff Hudder, whose awkward yet engaging main character held me hostage from one mishap to another. While Wyatt Sallow may be a different sort, so many little bits of him are familiar and recognizable. With weirdly fascinating observations and oddly random encounters with other characters, the story is an intricately looping surprise that I couldn’t set down.
Drawn to the small English market town of Sallowsfield in pursuit of a family fable, Wyatt Sallow is underwhelmed by the reality of a place that has existed on a pedestal his entire life. With signs all around him that tease a solid connection, he’s disappointed when no one he encounters offers any knowledge of one. Yet, before Wyatt can even process this, he believes he spots a woman he’s had a one-sided crush on from back home in Texas stepping from the train. He loses sight of her before he can confirm it is indeed her. Despite her restraining order against him, he continues to try to track her down or find “X,” even enlisting the assistance of a local taxi driver.Throughout his quest for the woman and an identity connected with the town, Wyatt encounters a variety of locals who bring their own interesting lives to the story. The situations Sallow finds himself in, often the consequences of his own actions, are at times humorous, sometimes unsettling, but always compelling, especially as hidden ties cleverly loop back and form surprising relationships and delightful twists.
I recommend SALLOWSFIELD to readers of literary fiction.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Lone Star Book Blog Tours.
November 26, 2024
"You can't go down a road without encountering an intersection."
Sallowsfield: A Novel by Cliff Hudder is an interesting mix of travel narrative and enigmatic discovery. Who exactly is Wyatt Sallow, and why does he travel from East Texas to a town in England called Sallowsfield, with almost no family name research or pre-planning?
Wyatt Sallow is a puzzle, and the abundance of streaming thought and description does not necessarily allow the reader to solve the mystery completely. First impressions are important, of course, but as the story progresses, the first impression of Wyatt shifts merrily and haphazardly as his character both develops and devolves. Is he a bumbling fool and victim because of his own life choices? Is he soft in the head or maybe a conniving, self-loathing degenerate? Or does he perhaps crave the chaos and unpredictability of his own making? Or could he merely be interested in his genealogy?
"Terrible things were always happening. It didn't matter where you went."
And who are the odd characters drifting in and out and back into Wyatt’s orbit across the chapters? This story takes the reader on an epic journey as Wyatt, a seemingly absent-minded business ethics professor at Taylor State College in East Texas, seeks the history of his last name in a British town called Sallowsfield that may or may not have been founded by one of Wyatt's ancestors.
What Wyatt discovers and encounters on his journey may surprise and confuse you, with its Brigadoon-like aura and is-this-guy-for-real vibe. One thing is clear: Wyatt Sallow is messy, curious, and completely unreliable; however, his true self is no doubt as deep as the Mariana trench, and this novel probably only scratches the surface of this peculiar man.
Cliff Hudder is clearly a master at misdirection, intrigue, and characterization. By the end of this unique literary fiction, you might wonder if the protagonist has actually developed in the predictable arc, or if Wyatt continues to sink ever deeper into the quagmire of his questionable identity and maybe even sanity.
With the constant shifting into the past and into other character descriptions, the pacing is naturally a bit slow, and teasing out the overall plot can be a challenge; however, stay the course! Wyatt is a thoroughly compelling chap, and his adventure just might prompt you to settle into some self-reflection and ponder your own motivation to seek answers to unanswerable questions.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Sallowsfield: A Novel by Cliff Hudder is an interesting mix of travel narrative and enigmatic discovery. Who exactly is Wyatt Sallow, and why does he travel from East Texas to a town in England called Sallowsfield, with almost no family name research or pre-planning?
Wyatt Sallow is a puzzle, and the abundance of streaming thought and description does not necessarily allow the reader to solve the mystery completely. First impressions are important, of course, but as the story progresses, the first impression of Wyatt shifts merrily and haphazardly as his character both develops and devolves. Is he a bumbling fool and victim because of his own life choices? Is he soft in the head or maybe a conniving, self-loathing degenerate? Or does he perhaps crave the chaos and unpredictability of his own making? Or could he merely be interested in his genealogy?
"Terrible things were always happening. It didn't matter where you went."
And who are the odd characters drifting in and out and back into Wyatt’s orbit across the chapters? This story takes the reader on an epic journey as Wyatt, a seemingly absent-minded business ethics professor at Taylor State College in East Texas, seeks the history of his last name in a British town called Sallowsfield that may or may not have been founded by one of Wyatt's ancestors.
What Wyatt discovers and encounters on his journey may surprise and confuse you, with its Brigadoon-like aura and is-this-guy-for-real vibe. One thing is clear: Wyatt Sallow is messy, curious, and completely unreliable; however, his true self is no doubt as deep as the Mariana trench, and this novel probably only scratches the surface of this peculiar man.
Cliff Hudder is clearly a master at misdirection, intrigue, and characterization. By the end of this unique literary fiction, you might wonder if the protagonist has actually developed in the predictable arc, or if Wyatt continues to sink ever deeper into the quagmire of his questionable identity and maybe even sanity.
With the constant shifting into the past and into other character descriptions, the pacing is naturally a bit slow, and teasing out the overall plot can be a challenge; however, stay the course! Wyatt is a thoroughly compelling chap, and his adventure just might prompt you to settle into some self-reflection and ponder your own motivation to seek answers to unanswerable questions.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
January 8, 2025
Sallowsfield is a story that follows a poet on a journey that pairs humor with broken relationships to make an intriguing and enjoyable read. This isn't the type of book that I usually pick up, but I was more than happy to give it a chance. It's always fun to push the boundaries on my typical reading and find new authors to enjoy.
The characterization in this novel is a bit mind-boggling. That's the best way I can think to describe it. This is the kind of novel that leaves you with more questions than answers, which I either really enjoy or despise. In this case, I enjoyed it. The more I read, the less sure I was of the kind of person Wyatt Sallow is. He is the epitome of an unreliable narrator. Nonetheless, I was kept intrigued and followed along with every step of his journey.
As far as the journey goes, things feel a bit slow to start, but the pacing definitely picks up. It can be a bit of a challenge to find a flow, particularly since the story isn't presented in a linear way. There are jumps in chronology that can make things tough. However, this is part of the challenge and adventure the book presents, so ultimately, I appreciated it and the way it challenged my perspective of the characters and events unfolding. For some readers, there's a high chance it could be confusing. Additionally, there are some mentions of infidelity, which could be a major turn-off.
This isn't as easy read. It's challenging, which made it more entertaining for me. I found this book to be very engaging, forcing me to pay attention closely to follow along effectively.
The characterization in this novel is a bit mind-boggling. That's the best way I can think to describe it. This is the kind of novel that leaves you with more questions than answers, which I either really enjoy or despise. In this case, I enjoyed it. The more I read, the less sure I was of the kind of person Wyatt Sallow is. He is the epitome of an unreliable narrator. Nonetheless, I was kept intrigued and followed along with every step of his journey.
As far as the journey goes, things feel a bit slow to start, but the pacing definitely picks up. It can be a bit of a challenge to find a flow, particularly since the story isn't presented in a linear way. There are jumps in chronology that can make things tough. However, this is part of the challenge and adventure the book presents, so ultimately, I appreciated it and the way it challenged my perspective of the characters and events unfolding. For some readers, there's a high chance it could be confusing. Additionally, there are some mentions of infidelity, which could be a major turn-off.
This isn't as easy read. It's challenging, which made it more entertaining for me. I found this book to be very engaging, forcing me to pay attention closely to follow along effectively.
November 22, 2024
This was quite a unique book for me to read. It falls into several categories, including literary fiction, and that usually isn't one that I read. However, this story is peppered with humorous quips, intriguing characters, and a journey for Wyatt as he tries to find his origins.
I was intrigued by the women Wyatt was involved with over the years and how they were relegated to a letter. In fact, they were the letters X, Y, and Z. Was that on purpose? Was it tied to their names? Or was it because they were the end of the alphabet, and that held a different meaning?
Wyatt also had his own quirks. Given his actions, I wondered if he might be on the spectrum because of the awkwardness that leaped off the page. He lived an interesting life, and it amused him to no end how everyone assumed he was a doctor just because he claimed to be a university professor.
His journey to Sallowsfield introduces various characters who add richness to the tale. I enjoyed reading their side stories during their interactions with Wyatt. It helped round out the story and provide interest in this town—a town that the tour books say to avoid. But like most small towns, it is the residents who bring character to the town.
This is a book meant to be read slowly, not rushed through. There are so many details to absorb that it cannot be done quickly. Savor the novel and fall in love with the quirky yet lovable characters.
We give this book 4 paws up.
I was intrigued by the women Wyatt was involved with over the years and how they were relegated to a letter. In fact, they were the letters X, Y, and Z. Was that on purpose? Was it tied to their names? Or was it because they were the end of the alphabet, and that held a different meaning?
Wyatt also had his own quirks. Given his actions, I wondered if he might be on the spectrum because of the awkwardness that leaped off the page. He lived an interesting life, and it amused him to no end how everyone assumed he was a doctor just because he claimed to be a university professor.
His journey to Sallowsfield introduces various characters who add richness to the tale. I enjoyed reading their side stories during their interactions with Wyatt. It helped round out the story and provide interest in this town—a town that the tour books say to avoid. But like most small towns, it is the residents who bring character to the town.
This is a book meant to be read slowly, not rushed through. There are so many details to absorb that it cannot be done quickly. Savor the novel and fall in love with the quirky yet lovable characters.
We give this book 4 paws up.
December 24, 2024
Sallowsfield by Cliff Hudder was definitely unlike any book I’ve read before. The timeline is most definitely not linear and with the plenitude of characters, it was definitely a story that engrossed this reader. Mix that with a variety of locations that this story takes place in, and you, as the reader, will definitely find your attention demanded by this tale. Along with the variety of characters, the reader should expect to find corresponding points of view. This is something that is a tough balance for me, as I do enjoy having more than one point of view, but can become easily overwhelmed with more than a few, honestly.
Wyatt Sallow was quite the character! He made the story enjoyable with his inadvertant humor and robust love for his son. In fact, each character that Wyatt came across ultimately brought out something different in him. This is one of those beautiful “real life” reflections that I love to see in works of fiction.
Anyone interested in reading Sallowsfield should prepare to get engrossed in the tale and with the attention that this work demands. It will definitely pay off in the end, but it is important to set aside the time needed to really enjoy this book - it is not superficial in any way. It is definitely an adventure in the plainest and most complex ways - mishap after mishap, but the meaning of life along the way.
Wyatt Sallow was quite the character! He made the story enjoyable with his inadvertant humor and robust love for his son. In fact, each character that Wyatt came across ultimately brought out something different in him. This is one of those beautiful “real life” reflections that I love to see in works of fiction.
Anyone interested in reading Sallowsfield should prepare to get engrossed in the tale and with the attention that this work demands. It will definitely pay off in the end, but it is important to set aside the time needed to really enjoy this book - it is not superficial in any way. It is definitely an adventure in the plainest and most complex ways - mishap after mishap, but the meaning of life along the way.
April 21, 2025
I found this to be quite a quirky tale of Wyatt's adventure to Sallowsfield. Initially his intention seemed to make sense as he's tracing his heritage. However, he seems to go off on the most odd tangents and introduces us to all manner of characters.
He did frustrate me slightly to begin with as he was carting his suitcase around which seemed to irk me for some reason. I think it's because he seemed so disorganised despite having planned an 8-day trip. It all seemed a little random and chaotic.
His journey through meeting various people as well as sharing tales of those he knew/knows paints a picture of a sad and lonely man to me. His wife took a chance at exploiting him and whilst he was stuck with her for a while, it was clearly an unhealthy relationship. He seems to be a magnet for those and he did seem incredibly weird trying to stalk X around Sallowsfield.
I'm not entirely sure what journey I've been on with this but it was interesting delving into and dissecting Wyatt's personality as well learn more about him as the book goes on. He reminds me of those eccentric people that come into our lives at points and who fascinate with great tales of adventure through life experience (good&bad).
He did frustrate me slightly to begin with as he was carting his suitcase around which seemed to irk me for some reason. I think it's because he seemed so disorganised despite having planned an 8-day trip. It all seemed a little random and chaotic.
His journey through meeting various people as well as sharing tales of those he knew/knows paints a picture of a sad and lonely man to me. His wife took a chance at exploiting him and whilst he was stuck with her for a while, it was clearly an unhealthy relationship. He seems to be a magnet for those and he did seem incredibly weird trying to stalk X around Sallowsfield.
I'm not entirely sure what journey I've been on with this but it was interesting delving into and dissecting Wyatt's personality as well learn more about him as the book goes on. He reminds me of those eccentric people that come into our lives at points and who fascinate with great tales of adventure through life experience (good&bad).
April 23, 2025
Sallowsfield was something of a departure from my usual type of read, but I must say, I'm certainly glad I gave it a go, and moved out of my reading comfort zone, as I throughly enjoyed it.
We follow Wyatt W Sallow, from East Texas, who journeys to Sallowsfield in England In order to trace the origins of his family. But once there, he finds mystery, the unexpected and more.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, this was quite the absorbing read, with a delightful and thought-provoking storyline that bobs along nicely as you turn the pages. Humerous in parts, but also sad in others, it's an evocative read with a interesting main character who battles with obsession and indescion, but who I'm sure will make you laugh and just maybe shed a tear or two.
The writing on display here is wonderfully descriptive and conjurs up the beautiful images of England so well.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
We follow Wyatt W Sallow, from East Texas, who journeys to Sallowsfield in England In order to trace the origins of his family. But once there, he finds mystery, the unexpected and more.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, this was quite the absorbing read, with a delightful and thought-provoking storyline that bobs along nicely as you turn the pages. Humerous in parts, but also sad in others, it's an evocative read with a interesting main character who battles with obsession and indescion, but who I'm sure will make you laugh and just maybe shed a tear or two.
The writing on display here is wonderfully descriptive and conjurs up the beautiful images of England so well.
5 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
April 24, 2025
An unexpected and rewarding read for me from a genre I don't often read. The way the story jumps around in time and place kept me engaged. A quirky experience alongside Wyatt.
Wyatt Sallow is a fascinating protagonist. He’s awkward, obsessive, and somehow both insightful and clueless at the same time. His journey to Sallowsfield and his interactions with the people he meets along the way were equal parts funny, heartbreaking and thought-provoking. I found myself questioning his choices and wondering about his motives.
The story unfolds in a way that keeps you thinking and reflecting, and by the end, I felt like I had been on a journey right alongside him. There were moments of humor, moments of sadness, and plenty of surprises.
This isn’t a book to rush through. It demands patience and attention, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. It was an absorbing and memorable read that I’m glad I read something new and beautiful.
Wyatt Sallow is a fascinating protagonist. He’s awkward, obsessive, and somehow both insightful and clueless at the same time. His journey to Sallowsfield and his interactions with the people he meets along the way were equal parts funny, heartbreaking and thought-provoking. I found myself questioning his choices and wondering about his motives.
The story unfolds in a way that keeps you thinking and reflecting, and by the end, I felt like I had been on a journey right alongside him. There were moments of humor, moments of sadness, and plenty of surprises.
This isn’t a book to rush through. It demands patience and attention, but the payoff is absolutely worth it. It was an absorbing and memorable read that I’m glad I read something new and beautiful.
April 24, 2025
A fascinating read following Wyatt on his journey.
A really well written story that I found quite poignant in parts and then made me laugh in others with Wyatt having a few mishaps along the way.
The characters are really well written and the words come alive through the descriptive nature of them.
A literary novel that can get the reader thinking long after the book has finished.
Thank you @zooloosbooktours @cliffhudder and @texasreviewpress for having me on the tour and for a copy of the ebook
#sallowsfield #cliffhudder #texasreviewpress #zooloosbooktours #bookstagram #ebookreview
A really well written story that I found quite poignant in parts and then made me laugh in others with Wyatt having a few mishaps along the way.
The characters are really well written and the words come alive through the descriptive nature of them.
A literary novel that can get the reader thinking long after the book has finished.
Thank you @zooloosbooktours @cliffhudder and @texasreviewpress for having me on the tour and for a copy of the ebook
#sallowsfield #cliffhudder #texasreviewpress #zooloosbooktours #bookstagram #ebookreview
April 22, 2025
🩵 Blurb-
Wyatt W. Sallow, MBA—poet, business ethics professor, and coach of the 8th ranked collegiate chess team in East Texas—travels to the heart of northern England to trace his family origins in mundane Sallowsfield, only to find his supposed ancestry a mirage. He does have a real past, however: one that stalks him across the green hillsides in echoes of his catastrophic marriage, the lingering shadow of a lost child, and—there, in person, inexplicably emerging from the town’s faux-Victorian train station—“X,” the enigmatic object of his unrequited passion and a figure as perplexing as an algebraic variable. On his eight-day tour/pilgrimage/mock epic journey, Wyatt pursues the specter of his lost love and crosses paths with the citizens of this down-at-its-heels market town as they struggle to grasp the all-consuming obsessions, ghosts, and X-factors that confound their days. Thought-provoking yet dryly humorous, Sallowsfield weaves diverse elements into a story both light-hearted and philosophical, exploring along the way universal human touchstones of obsession, ruined love and the inexplicable mysteries that shape our lives.
💚 Review -
This book was very different to what I would normally read. I don't normally read literature fiction and I did find it difficult to read but despite this I still enjoyed the story as I found the author's writing engaging and funny in some places and it was very entertaining. Overall, a brilliant read that I would recommend to other readers.
💝 Thank you to Zooloobooktours, the author, Cliff Huddersfield and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Wyatt W. Sallow, MBA—poet, business ethics professor, and coach of the 8th ranked collegiate chess team in East Texas—travels to the heart of northern England to trace his family origins in mundane Sallowsfield, only to find his supposed ancestry a mirage. He does have a real past, however: one that stalks him across the green hillsides in echoes of his catastrophic marriage, the lingering shadow of a lost child, and—there, in person, inexplicably emerging from the town’s faux-Victorian train station—“X,” the enigmatic object of his unrequited passion and a figure as perplexing as an algebraic variable. On his eight-day tour/pilgrimage/mock epic journey, Wyatt pursues the specter of his lost love and crosses paths with the citizens of this down-at-its-heels market town as they struggle to grasp the all-consuming obsessions, ghosts, and X-factors that confound their days. Thought-provoking yet dryly humorous, Sallowsfield weaves diverse elements into a story both light-hearted and philosophical, exploring along the way universal human touchstones of obsession, ruined love and the inexplicable mysteries that shape our lives.
💚 Review -
This book was very different to what I would normally read. I don't normally read literature fiction and I did find it difficult to read but despite this I still enjoyed the story as I found the author's writing engaging and funny in some places and it was very entertaining. Overall, a brilliant read that I would recommend to other readers.
💝 Thank you to Zooloobooktours, the author, Cliff Huddersfield and the publisher for my copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews