Isabel Yap

Makino's mother taught her caution, showed her how to carve her name into cucumbers, and insisted that she never let a kappa touch her. But when she grows up and her husband Tetsuya falls deathly ill, a kappa that claims to know her comes calling with a barbed promise. "A Cup of Salt Tears" is a dark fantasy leaning towards horror that asks how much someone should sacrifice for the one she loves. "An elegiac story of love, grief and sacrifice."--Kirkus Reviews At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

A Tor.Com Original

A Cup of Salt Tears

Lia Yuliana

Update 02/12/2021

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    Someone once told Makino that women in grief are more beautiful. So I must be the most beautiful woman in the world right now, she thinks, as she shucks off her boots and leaves them by the door.
  


A Cup of Salt Tears is a short story about a woman named Makino that is caring for her dying husband Tatsuya. During one of her routine visits at a bath house she is joined by a being from Japanese mythology known as a Kappa, an amphibious entity that lurks in the rivers or bodies of water. Turns out Makino and the Kappa share a history that tears her reality and feelings.
Yap's writing is clear, simple, and intricate that readers can easily slip into the shoes of Makino. I simply love the relationship between Makino and the Kappa, their shared history and blossoming bond in this story. Makino is tethered to two buoys that keep her afloat but drown her in conflicting feelings. It is a story about the ugliness of love and the greediness of loneliness. Highly recommend! 


  
    “I would not lie to you,” it says, shaking its head. The water in its sara sloshes gently. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t touch you if you don’t wish me to.” 
“And why not?” She lifts her chin. 
“Because I love you, Makino.”

A Cup of Salt Tears A Tor.Com Original

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