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Unsettled Ground

Winner of the Costa Novel Award 2021

Claire Fuller author

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Penguin Books Ltd

Published:6th Jan '22

Should be back in stock very soon

Unsettled Ground cover

The story follows twins Jeanie and Julius as they navigate life after their mother's death, exploring themes of isolation and resilience in Unsettled Ground.

In Unsettled Ground, we meet twins Jeanie and Julius, who navigate life on the fringes of society in their rural cottage. At 51 years old, they remain deeply connected to their mother, Dot, living a life marked by isolation and poverty. Their existence revolves around music and the garden, where they cultivate their own food, creating a fragile sanctuary in a world that often feels hostile. However, everything changes when Dot passes away unexpectedly, leaving the twins vulnerable to the harsh realities of the outside world.

As Jeanie and Julius grapple with their loss, they find themselves facing threats that jeopardize their way of life. The sudden upheaval forces them to confront not only their circumstances but also the secrets their mother kept hidden. As these revelations come to light, the twins must navigate a landscape filled with betrayal and resilience, questioning everything they thought they knew about their existence and the world around them.

Unsettled Ground is a poignant exploration of love, survival, and the complexities of human relationships. The narrative captures the essence of living on the margins, shedding light on how individuals can build lives on fragile foundations. With emotional depth and lyrical prose, this novel invites readers to reflect on the nature of home, belonging, and the strength found in vulnerability.

Her strongest yet... a powerful, beautiful novel that shows us our land as it really is: a place of shelter and cruelty, innocence and experience * The Times *
Dark, brilliantly observed and ultimately a tale of love winning the day. * The Sunday Telegraph *
An intriguing, moving novel that will make you question assumptions you have about modern life * Tracy Chevalier, author of 'A Single Thread' *
Superb...deservedly longlisted for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction * Daily Mail *
A moving portrait of a family struggling against time. This book is ultimately about redemption-about the unexpected importance of neighbours, lovers, and friends, and the ways in which we can re-envision our lives for the better * Lucy Tan, author of What We Were Promised *
So sharply, so utterly brilliant that I found myself holding my breath while reading it, dazzled by Fuller's mastery and precision. * Lauren Groff, author of 'Fates and Furies' *
With sensitivity and intelligence, Fuller unpicks the relentless complexity of the modern world * The Guardian *
'The way she writes (with empathy but never sentimentality) moves my heart' * Elizabeth Day, author of Magpie *
Fuller is excellent at description, and capturing the twins' awkward interactions with the world. The fate of the illiterate and weak-hearted Jeanie once she loses everything that is safe is particularly unsettling * The Sunday Times *
It's merciless in its observation of casual cruelty and merciful in its observation of casual kindness and family love * Richard Curtis *
Unsettled Ground is another sly psychological treat from Claire Fuller, who just keeps on getting better with each book -- Laline Paull
These memorable characters will worm their way into your head and heart and the descriptions of the landscape are beautiful. * Jo Finney, Good Housekeeping *
An atmospheric thriller that's both heartbreaking and heartwarming * Red *
Tender, unusual... these memorable characters will work their way into your head and your heart * Good Housekeeping *
Fuller's prose is darkly elegant, her eye for character astute and humane, and her sense of place vividly atmospheric -- here is a writer of great skill, sensitivity and subtlety -- Lucy Atkins, author of Magpie Lane
Claire Fuller strikes the perfect balance between beauty and melancholy, in this relevant and powerful exploration of isolation and life on the fringes of society -- Clare Mackintosh, author of Hostage
Unsettled Ground shares with Fuller's previous works themes of closely guarded family secrets and homes built upon shaky foundations * Financial Times *
This literary thriller is as moving and poignant as it is compelling * Express *
These memorable characters will worm their way into your head and heart the descriptions of the landscape are beautiful * Good Housekeeping *

ISBN: 9780241457467

Dimensions: 197mm x 130mm x 18mm

Weight: 219g

304 pages