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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
uss_mary_shelley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Death, Medical content, Chronic illness, and Gun violence
wandawinterland's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
Well that was nice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Gun violence
mirireads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Alcohol, Gun violence, Death of parent, Infidelity, Medical content, and Chronic illness
Minor: Sexual content
graybat's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.25
elements were predictable but i read this weirdly quickly for me. idk something about the atmosphere dragged me in. p depressing read tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Infidelity
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Gun violence
Minor: Chronic illness
lydiavsbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Stayed up to 3:30am to finish this, read the last 200 pages in basically one go. It's depressing, it's sad, the whole way through just watching these siblings and wishing you could help them. The characters are complex and real and you can't help but care for them. They grow and they break and it's so brilliantly done.
Though it's definitely more character than plot I really enjoyed the small element of mystery at what their mother was hiding and why they seemed to be the only ones to not know.
Also possible aro-ace rep? Love to see it
Really loved this and pleased to say it lived up to the beautiful cover.
Though it's definitely more character than plot I really enjoyed the small element of mystery at what their mother was hiding and why they seemed to be the only ones to not know.
Also possible aro-ace rep? Love to see it
Really loved this and pleased to say it lived up to the beautiful cover.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Gun violence, and Chronic illness
annalucy29's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, Violence, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Chronic illness, Classism, Bullying, and Car accident
sara_m_martins's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
An atmospheric read about rural and moral poverty, "Unsettled Ground" follows twins Jeanie and Julius, and their dog Maude (does not die!), mainly from Jeanie's perspective, as they deal with their mother's death and the repercussions of it.
In their 50's, living with their mother in a cottage and isolated from broader society for the most part, they start to truly navigate the world and, with that, their dire economic situation. Dealing with poverty, in particular rural poverty, but equally moral poverty (being without responsible adults that teach you how to be in the world), we see the consequences of the cycle of poverty, and of the lies and omissions from their mother. There is also a strong theme of illiteracy which I think it was a very strong, important and unusual perspective.
The writing was very atmospheric, which augmented a feeling of discomfort I had throughout the book.
The plot is on how the cycle of poverty feedbacks onto itself, a spiral that keeps going down, which is amplified by the moral poverty of the characters - their ignorance on what systems exist that can support them (and refusal to ask for/accept them). However, about 75% of the way through the "it gets worse" is drastic, with a change in gears that lost me for a sec, and needed a recalibration (the starting point for Claire Fuller was "a vandalized caravan" in the middle of the woods, and I think it was the way she found to get there ).
Their subplots of Julius' romance, and the family's love of music were a nice break from the main plot. I also think Jeanie can be read as asexual, from subtext, although I don't think it was done on purpose.
In their 50's, living with their mother in a cottage and isolated from broader society for the most part, they start to truly navigate the world and, with that, their dire economic situation. Dealing with poverty, in particular rural poverty, but equally moral poverty (being without responsible adults that teach you how to be in the world), we see the consequences of the cycle of poverty, and of the lies and omissions from their mother. There is also a strong theme of illiteracy which I think it was a very strong, important and unusual perspective.
The writing was very atmospheric, which augmented a feeling of discomfort I had throughout the book.
The plot is on how the cycle of poverty feedbacks onto itself, a spiral that keeps going down, which is amplified by the moral poverty of the characters - their ignorance on what systems exist that can support them (and refusal to ask for/accept them). However, about 75% of the way through the "it gets worse" is drastic, with a change in gears that lost me for a sec, and needed a recalibration (
Their subplots of Julius' romance, and the family's love of music were a nice break from the main plot. I also think Jeanie can be read as asexual, from subtext, although I don't think it was done on purpose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, and Death
Moderate: Gun violence, Blood, Chronic illness, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Infidelity
deals in depth with poverty and homelessnessderigibleplums's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is written wonderfully. I only read this because it's on the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist otherwise I'd have never picked it up as I try not to start books I think are going to be horrifically depressing. I'm so gald I did, although we can add it to the pile of books to make me cry on public transport.
I'm not sure how to feel about the end though. It almost feels like a halfway house of a glimmer of hope but a bit too late. Also, if Fuller had killed off the dog it would have gotten 2 stars.
I'm not sure how to feel about the end though. It almost feels like a halfway house of a glimmer of hope but a bit too late. Also, if Fuller had killed off the dog it would have gotten 2 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Abandonment
Moderate: Chronic illness