The Wild Beneath, Kelly Anderson (Review by Lara Ferguson)

The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson is a novel that stayed with me long after I finished it, because of the way it connects the lives of its characters to the ever-changing nature of the sea. The ocean is not simply a backdrop in this story; it feels alive, shaping and reshaping the people who rely on it. As the tide pulls in and out, the characters wrestle with their pasts, their secrets, and the parts of themselves they cannot escape. What struck me most was how closely the cycle of the sea mirrors the emotional journeys of those tied to it. Some of the key characters, who seem to emerge from the ocean carry hidden histories, and no matter how hard they try to distance themselves from where they came from, the past resurfaces—sometimes gently, sometimes violently. The sea becomes a powerful symbol of memory and truth, reminding us that what we try to bury has a way of returning. I found this connection especially moving because it suggests that healing is not about cutting ourselves off from our origins, but about learning to live with them. Another theme that resonated with me was the idea of protection through isolation. Throughout the novel, characters attempt to shield others from pain by separating them from the world, believing distance equals safety. Anderson challenges this idea by showing how isolation, instead of creating strength, can leave people unprepared and disconnected. The idea that growth often comes from exposure to hardship, not avoidance of it, carries an important lesson. The novel also explores iterations of family in a way that felt honest and layered. Family is not limited to blood, but shaped by choice, loyalty, and understanding. I was particularly drawn to how learning about someone’s past can change how we see them—and how that understanding can influence the future. The Wild Beneath ultimately suggests that acknowledging where we come from, rather than hiding from it, allows us to move forward with greater compassion and purpose.