Published by Tin House Genres: Contempory, Literary Fiction
Format: ARC, eBook
Unsettled Ground is such an apt title for this book. The book, as other reviewers have mentioned, is unsettling. There is a sense of melancholy throughout the book. There is a sadness in it. This is not a happy-go-lucky book but one that tells the story of fifty-one-year-old twins, Julius and Jeanie who lived with their mother, Dot until her sudden death one morning. They live in a cottage in a rural setting, isolated, and in poverty. Jeanie has a garden she tends and sells the vegetables to a local restaurant. Julius works odd jobs for income, and both believe they know their mother but find that she had secrets. After Dot’s death in the beginning of the book (we are told this in the synopsis), they must find ways to survive.
Initially, I was not sure that I liked this book. It is depressing and I felt for Julius and Jeanie for various reasons. Both are lacking in life skills, and both learn that their mother’s friends and even those living in the village, knew more about their mother than they both did. The shock of death, learning harsh realities and uncovering truths are difficult things. Having to deal with them all at once is even harder. Will they rise to the challenge? Will they be forced to grow? Will the truth set them free? What will the future hold? Could they have lived different lives? What would those different lives look like? How do you cope with the fallout of secrets? How indeed.
There is a lot to digest in this book. There is a lot of food for thought here which I believe will make this book a fantastic choice for book clubs.
This is a beautifully written book that looks at the impact of secrets on people’s lives. It also looks at relationships, poverty, community, survival, and determination. It is a sad book which ends with hope at the end. It is depressing but also captivating. I silently cheered when they made strides and gasped when bad decisions were made. You cannot help but feel for the characters in this book. Even though the book is unsettling, it is quite beautiful at the same time. People do not live fairy tale lives. Not everyone’s life is sunshine and roses. But sometimes, those who have been dealt a bad hand, find ways to overcome and survive.
Thought provoking, riveting, unsettling.
Thank you to Tin House and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.