Age: 57
male
Eric Martin Andrew Banadinović (born 9 August 1968), known professionally as Eric Bana, is an Australian actor, comedian, producer, and director. He began his career in the sketch-comedy series Full Frontal before gaining notice in the comedy-drama The Castle (1997). He achieved critical recognition for starring in the biographical crime film Chopper(2000) and as the titular character in Hulk (2003). After a decade of roles in Australian television shows and films, Bana gained Hollywood's attention for his performance in the war film Black Hawk Down (2001) and as Bruce Banner in the superhero horror film Hulk(2003). He played Hector in the war epic Troy (2004) and took a leading role in Steven Spielberg's historical thriller Munich (2005). In 2009, he played the villain Nero in the science-fiction film Star Trek, which was a critical and commercial success. Bana continued to work steadily in the 2010s, portraying Lieutenant Commander Erik S. Kristensen in Lone Survivor(2013) and playing police Sergeant Ralph Sarchie in the horror film Deliver Us from Evil(2014). In 2018, Bana played the title role in a true crime miniseries, Dirty John. In 2020, he returned to Australia to star in outback thriller The Dry. Bana has received several Australian Film Institute awards and has performed distinctive lead and character roles across various genres—from epics to science fiction and action thrillers. In addition to acting, Bana is a motor-racing enthusiast and has participated in multiple racing competitions in Australia. Bana was appointed Member of the Order of Australia(AM) in the 2019 Birthday Honours for his services to drama.
The main character in The Salt Grows Heavy is a mermaid, but she’s no Ariel, lest you think this is one of those magical mermaid stories. The cover pretty much sums it up: this is a dark and gorey tale, and the mermaid eats people. If body horror isn’t your thing, this might not work for you. But Cassandra Khaw’s flawless, evocative writing is worth the price of admission, in my opinion. The mermaid’s tale is a sad one. She was claimed by a prince and dragged from the sea to become his wife. He cut out her tongue so she couldn’t speak and then made her eat it. But when her daughters are born, they attack and eat the prince, releasing the mermaid from her prison. And this is where our story starts. With the kingdom in shambles, the mermaid and her friend the plague doctor decide to leave together, not with a destination in mind, but rather to get as far from the kingdom as possible.
