How Does 'As Meat Loves Salt' End?

The ending of 'As Meat Loves Salt' is a brutal, heartbreaking descent into chaos. Jacob Cullen, the protagonist, spirals into paranoia and violence, alienating everyone around him. His obsession with Ferris, a fellow soldier, twists into something destructive. The final scenes show Jacob utterly alone, his actions having severed every bond. The novel doesn’t offer redemption—just the grim aftermath of a man consumed by his own demons. It’s raw, unsettling, and lingers like a shadow long after the last page.

What makes it unforgettable is its refusal to soften Jacob’s fate. There’s no last-minute salvation, no moral lesson neatly tied with a bow. Instead, McCann leaves us with the wreckage of a soul who chose fury over love. The historical setting—England’s Civil War—mirrors Jacob’s internal collapse, a world tearing itself apart. The prose is visceral, almost claustrophobic, pulling you into his unraveling mind. Not a happy ending, but a masterclass in tragic character study.

If you crave closure, 'As Meat Loves Salt' will leave you hollow—and that’s the point. Jacob’s journey is a train wreck in slow motion: his love for Ferris curdles into possessiveness, his violence escalates, and by the end, he’s exiled himself from humanity. The book’s strength lies in its unflinching honesty. Jacob isn’t a hero or even an antihero; he’s a deeply flawed man whose choices lead to irreversible ruin. The final chapters are steeped in irony—his pursuit of control leaves him with nothing. McCann’s writing is muscular and poetic, especially in depicting Jacob’s warped psyche. It’s not an ending you ‘like,’ but one that haunts you.

Jacob Cullen’s fate in 'As Meat Loves Salt' is Shakespearean in its tragedy. After betraying Ferris and fleeing mutiny, he becomes a shell of himself. The last scenes depict him adrift, physically free but morally shackled. His earlier passion now reads as delusion. What strikes me is how McCann avoids judgment—Jacob’s downfall feels inevitable, yet you understand his torment. The ending isn’t about plot twists; it’s a character dissection. Stark, bleak, and utterly human.

No spoilers, but expect zero sugarcoating. Jacob’s arc ends in isolation, his relationships ashes. The novel’s brilliance is how it makes you pity him despite his atrocities. Ferris survives, but their bond doesn’t. The historical backdrop—war, poverty—amplifies the despair. A punch-to-the-gut finale that stays with you.