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liviy0017's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Blood, Car accident, and Violence
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Sexual content
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 homelessness
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