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sandysmith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I'm not sure I can say I enjoyed this book as its themes were very dark and at times depressing, but I did love it. It's a slow burn about Jeanie and Julius 51 year old twins, who live their mother, Dot, in an isolated cottage. Their mother dies suddenly at the start of the book. Jeannie is hardly able to read or write, and Julius finds it hard to keep down a job. Their lives unravelling due to the secrets their mother held. I can't say too much more regarding the plot so as not to give spoilers, but it is an emotional, reflective read, I felt for Jeannie and the situations she found herself in. If you are wanting an uplifting read, this is not one for you. But I found it brilliant, multi layered, sensitive, and a super read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Medical content
Minor: Infidelity
sarah_in_scotland's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
fullafluka's review
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
marionp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
tabo98's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
thebobsphere's review
4.0
There’s something about Claire Fuller’s writing that evokes cosiness. Whenever I read one of her novels, I feel like that it should be accompanied with a mug of hot tea. This does not mean that her plots are cosy or that her books exude warmth but there is something rustic and woodsy about her novels.
Jeanie and Julius are twins. They are in their early fifties and still live with their mother, Dot. In the first chapter Dot dies and the twins are left alone. However, some problems arise. Despite an agreement to live rent free, the owner of their run down cottage demands late fees, plus the twins find out that their mother owed money to quite a few people. To make matters worse they are going to be evicted and at that moment, Julius starts seeing someone. Will the twins find out the reason behind their mother’s debts? will their bond decrease? how will both Julius Jeanie cope with their impending homelessness?
Claire Fuller has written another rich novel, one that is about the complications of sibling relationships. Jeanie and Julius have a strong bond, Julius, especially knows how to both irritate and placate Jeanie and usually does it within the same minute. Unsettled Ground is also a portrayal of small town mentalities and how gossip spreads and yet the community aspect is strong, no matter who the person is.
The book also is about how secrets can change lives, especially when they have been ‘hidden’ for decades. To a certain extent they can be life changing once the truth is finally revealed.
Unsettles Ground is a good solid story that is, as the cliché states, is a page turner. I finished it in one sitting, which what always happens when I read Claire Fuller’s novels. They are engrossing and despite the sufferings her characters go through it always a joy to inhabit her world of cottages, caravans, forests, bookstores and complex relationships.
Jeanie and Julius are twins. They are in their early fifties and still live with their mother, Dot. In the first chapter Dot dies and the twins are left alone. However, some problems arise. Despite an agreement to live rent free, the owner of their run down cottage demands late fees, plus the twins find out that their mother owed money to quite a few people. To make matters worse they are going to be evicted and at that moment, Julius starts seeing someone. Will the twins find out the reason behind their mother’s debts? will their bond decrease? how will both Julius Jeanie cope with their impending homelessness?
Claire Fuller has written another rich novel, one that is about the complications of sibling relationships. Jeanie and Julius have a strong bond, Julius, especially knows how to both irritate and placate Jeanie and usually does it within the same minute. Unsettled Ground is also a portrayal of small town mentalities and how gossip spreads and yet the community aspect is strong, no matter who the person is.
The book also is about how secrets can change lives, especially when they have been ‘hidden’ for decades. To a certain extent they can be life changing once the truth is finally revealed.
Unsettles Ground is a good solid story that is, as the cliché states, is a page turner. I finished it in one sitting, which what always happens when I read Claire Fuller’s novels. They are engrossing and despite the sufferings her characters go through it always a joy to inhabit her world of cottages, caravans, forests, bookstores and complex relationships.
mackinnonanna's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ghiblireads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don’t read many books like this: slow pace, low plot and literary fiction in general are not things that draw me in. However, I did like this book a lot! I loved the themes of grief and the exploration of a sibling/twin relationship. It was sad and melancholy but with some beautiful writing which balanced it out. I didn’t mind the slow pace because it was atmospheric and easy to get lost in the story. Jeanie and Julius were interesting characters but I didn’t feel a huge connection to them - I felt incredibly bad for them at what they went through but also frustrated at how they acted. It was definitely a great story of how people can fall behind in society. There were a few secrets that got revealed towards the end which were predictable but added a small (Very small) mystery element to the book which I enjoyed. Overall, it was a very well written and complex book.
abik84's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
nimarta4's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0