What Time Period Is 'As Meat Loves Salt' Set In?

The novel 'As Meat Loves Salt' throws you straight into the chaotic English Civil War period, specifically around the mid-17th century. I love how the author drops you into this brutal world where political tensions and social upheaval shape every character's fate. You get vivid descriptions of fighting between Parliamentarians and Royalists, plus the everyday struggles of common people caught in the crossfire. The setting feels authentic, from the muddy battlefields to the rigid class structures of the time. Religious fervor and personal freedom clash constantly, which makes the historical backdrop as compelling as the main drama.

Set during one of England's most turbulent eras, 'As Meat Loves Salt' meticulously recreates the 1640s when the country tore itself apart. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the First English Civil War, where King Charles I's forces battled Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army. What makes this setting fascinating is how the author weaves real historical events into the protagonist's journey—you witness the siege of castles, the rise of radical political groups like the Levellers, and the collapse of traditional social orders.

The novel doesn't just use the period as decoration; it explores how war transforms relationships and morality. You see characters debating free love in Digger communities while others cling desperately to fading aristocratic privileges. The attention to period details—whether it's the stench of unwashed soldiers or the Puritanical crackdowns on theaters—immerses you completely. For readers who want more gritty historical fiction from this era, I'd suggest 'The Wake' by Paul Kingsnorth or 'The Glass of Time' by Michael Cox, though neither captures the same queer themes that make 'As Meat Loves Salt' so groundbreaking.

Digging into 'As Meat Loves Salt,' I was struck by how precisely it captures England's 17th-century revolutionary period. The story kicks off in 1642 when civil war erupts, following Jacob Cullen's life through military camps and radical communes. What sets this apart from other historical novels is its focus on marginalized voices—deserters, homosexuals, and peasant rebels who usually get erased from history books.

The author nails the atmosphere: the constant threat of violence, the religious extremism, and the fleeting moments of hope as old hierarchies crumble. You can practically taste the rancid meat and feel the coarse wool uniforms. While the war rages, smaller details ground you in the era—characters read seditious pamphlets, debate land reforms, and fear witchcraft accusations. For those interested in this period's queer history, 'The Gentleman’s Garden' by Catherine Jinks offers a different but equally compelling perspective.