A review by cherircohen
The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

4.0

Like its title, this book is unsettling. The story of 3 generations - grandmother, mother, son, and explores their choices and mistakes over the course of their lives in searching for home. Mother (Ava) left her mother (Dutchess) in Bonaparte, Alabama, a free black town that the few remaining residents are struggling to hold on to in the face of the ironically named Progress real estate development company. Ava had long ago left for the North, the Philly area, and her son (Touissant) is trying to work his way back to Alabama, an inverse of the Great Migration. Ava does not take well to mothering and is often caught up in her own troubles and drama, leaving Touissant to fend for herself. When her ex, Touissant's dad, shows up again, she again falls under his spell and moves with him to a cult-like organization (based off of the actual MOVE house in Philly in the 80s). This novel is quiet and a very slow burn. I struggled at times but glad I stuck with it. An incredible story.