Normally, I know very little about the authors I read. But during lockdown, online discussions with authors have become a thing and when I stumbled across the launch event for Claire Fuller’s Unsettled Ground, I decided to join in. It was a very homely affair with Claire’s husband moderating the discussion and her son playing on the guitar. Music plays a large role in Unsettled Ground and apparently one of her son’s songs inspired the music played in the book. I also learned, Claire has a cat which seemingly sleeps a lot and The Vanishing Half is on her shelves. Anyway, let’s get to the book.
At 51 years old, twins Jeanie and Julius still live at home with their mother, Dot. They have to a large extent been protected from the harsh realities of life, living in their little cottage, playing music and growing the garden. Whereas Julius takes the odd job to help out, Jeanie can’t read or write and is always being extra protected due to her heart condition. She doesn’t have a phone, a bank account or a computer. Talk about being cut off! Unsettled Ground explores what happens, when the mother dies and the twins have to learn to cope with life on their own.
It has been a while since a book has captured me to the extent that I read through the night. And I certainly didn’t expect it to happen with this novel; it’s mostly crime thrillers which have that effect on me. But I found myself doing the “ooh, just one more chapter” until I finished the book around 4.30 in the morning.
Claire Fuller’s writing is utterly engaging and her descriptions are vivid and realistic. I clearly remember reading about the new miserable “home” the twins move into, when having to leave the cottage. Fuller’s descriptions actually made me physically recoil.
It wasn’t a comfortable feeling altogether being so closely engrossed in the lives of the twins. Claire Fuller says she can’t write happy stories and the destinies of Jeanie and Julius certainly confirm that. I probably sound like an ostrich trying to bury my head in the sand to avoid unpleasantness, but reading this book filled with vivid descriptions of the humiliations, the anxiety, the hurt pride, the confusion and the misery, which the twins had to go through was perhaps captivating, but in a very uncomfortable way.
I felt fully engaged in Jeanie and Julius, but didn’t find the characters in themselves that interesting. It was their circumstances and the events happening around them, which kept me spellbound. The fascinating character was Dot, their mother, whose decisions in life were behind all the events playing out after her death.
Since Unsettled Ground is nominated for The Women’s Prize for Fiction, I couldn’t help comparing with the other books I’ve read from the longlist, which have all been highly enjoyable. Unsettled Ground doesn’t lack much behind, but in terms of subject matter it was the one which fitted the least with my interests. However, it was still a great read about marginalised characters living on the fringes of society and about love and fear of being left behind.
NB. This novel is written in present tense, which I know some readers dislike. To be honest, I never notice. But when writing this review, I wondered why I felt so close the actions, like I was actually there in the moment with Jeanie and co. as things played out. And then it occurred to me: perhaps it is written in present tense? A quick check proved me correct. If this is the effect evoked, I certainly see the point of using present tense.
Title: Unsettled Ground [2021] Author: Claire Fuller Format: Audiobook, narrated by Rachel Bavidge Genre: Fiction
Great review! I just finished this one as well and really enjoyed it.
Thanks Callum, I will look out for your review! 😊
I heard about this book a lot! It’s on my list now as well. Great review!
I hope you will enjoy it, if you decide to read it. It wasn’t exactly cheerful, but really worthwhile reading. Thanks! 😀
Hello Stargazer. I won’t read this book; I’m not doing grim at the moment. Although it certainly sounds engaging. About the present tense – if asked, I would say I disliked it, but one of my favourite books “Ablutions” by Patrick de Witt, is written in the present tense, and I really, really loved it. It’s interesting about writing, each book or story seems to find its own tense and pov.
I completely understand that – sometimes I am not in the mood for books like this either. It’s so strange about present and past tense. Before book bloggers mentioned it to me, I never noticed. And yes, there are always exceptions, even if you prefer a specific writing style. In this case, I thought present tense worked well.
Isn’t it great when a book grabs you like this, especially when it’s one you would not normally have expected to impact as it did 😊
This sounds very much my sort of book although perhaps for another time. You’ve helped me distinguish between two Clares also. I felt sure this Clare also wrote The Roundabout Man but that’s Clare Morrall. I’ve read nothing by either of them but reading the blurb from their respective catalogues I think there are parallels. And one day I’d like to try them both.
(P.S. Inspired by you I’m reading Transcendent Kingdom. My goodness, it’s wondeful! )
First of all, I am so glad you are enjoying Transcendent Kingdom! 😊 I am always a little bit worried when recommending books, in case people don’t get on with them. I loved the way Unsettled Ground took me by surprise and I hope to read more by Claire Fullers in the future. Don’t think I’ve heard of Clare Morrall, but I might have mixed up Clare Fullers and Clare Chambers a few times…
Sounds like a powerful read. Will check it out.
It was powerful and it’s been a while since I’ve read about such characters living in extreme poverty. These days, it’s all about race, identity, sexuality, etc.
I’m adding Unsettled Ground to my list on the strength of you saying you stayed up nearly all night reading this. It’s the highest praise!
It really was surprising that a book like this managed to keep me awake most of the night. I quite often fall asleep whilst listening to audiobooks in the evening – even the good ones! 😏😆
Reading/listening must be part of your wind-down!
Absolutely! Listening to audiobooks in the evening is so relaxing.
If a book can make you stay whole night to finish it, then I’d say it’s quite a success! And about the present tense, I also heard people disliked it, but nevrr really knew why — I was never really bothered by it myself. So I hope I’ll get around to this one at some point
Yes, absolutely a success! Too bad, I had to work the day after… 😆 I think the reason for disliking present tense is, it’s more difficult to write consistently without grammatical mishaps. But as I said, I’ve never really paid attention to whether books are written in past or present tense – perhaps grammar isn’t my strong side. 😉
Hahah, ouch, yeah, it’s fun to read until late at night, but the next morning.. 😆 Ooh, that makes sense. To be honest, unless a mistake is glaringly obvious, I don’t notice either, especially if the book is captivating. Might be because English is our second language! 😄
Yes, I think you are right – it’s due to English being our second language. Well, at least that is my excuse and I’m sticking to it! 🤣
I too have just finished Unsettled Ground, and I too enjoyed it – though like you, much as the book engaged me, I don’t think I’d have found those twins very easy company. And I too went to a Zoom event, which sounds much like yours, and which was organised by our local independent bookshop. As such, it may well have had a more intimate feel, as many of us on the call knew each other and our book shop owner and Clare have a good relationship. I really enjoyed hearing how Clare settles down to write and develop her plot. A really worthwhile evening.
It was really interesting to hear her talking about her book and what inspired it. There were also a lot of fun details mentioned in the event, like how she always names one of the characters after a friend and how she buys a piece of art every time she finishes a book. I may have missed a few details, since I was logged on to one laptop, trying to do some work and logged on to another with Claire speaking in the background (multi-tasking is not my strong side…). But yes, definitely worth an evening.
It was a surprisingly intimate event as she showed us round the room where she writes and showed us little personal touches.
Yes, it does sound very similar to the event I joined.
I felt a bit disappointed by her previous novel Bitter Orange (it was very hyped though), might consider reading this if the library get it. As for present tense – I actually prefer reading this, it helps me feel involved.
Based on Unsettled Ground, I wouldn’t mind reading more of her books. But perhaps, I’ll stay away from Bitter Orange, I seem to remember seeing quite a few so-so reviews. Yes, that was exactly my feeling about present tense as well, at least for this book.
I think I will give her another go, and read Unsettled Ground if I have the opportunity 🙂
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you how it compares to Bitter Orange, but I hope you will give this one a chance.
I’ve always wanted to try her books, Stargazer! Interesting about the present tense and I can see how that would be so. I’m reading a book all in first person right now, and I am loving it. (When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McClain)
You should give her a try! Yes, I think present tense can actually make you feel closer to the action, although it isn’t something, I’ve really noticed before, so it may be a coincidence. I really like books written in first person as well, you really feel close to the protagonist. Third person is fine as well, but I struggle with second person.
I’ve only read one of her books, Bitter Orange, and I fear it didn’t tempt me to stick with her. I didn’t hate it, her writing style is certainly very easy so I understand your one more chapter feeling. But I didn’t ever really believe in the characters and I found the plot almost instantly forgettable. The house was the one feature that has stayed in my mind, so maybe she’s got a particular gift for that since you were taken by the description of the house in this one too.
I’ve seen rather mixed reviews of Bitter Orange, so I’ll stay away from that one. However, based on Unsettled Ground I would’t mind reading more of her books in the future. I think, she is particularly good at describing place and surroundings. As I remember it from the online author event, it was seeing an old caravan left in the forrest (which is where the twins move to) which inspired her to write the novel in the first place.
Their small world is irrevocably changed, it’s interesting to find out how they cope with that… so great that it was good it even kept you up at night! Great review!
Exactly right! I can’t even imagine what it must be like having to face the world on your own for the first time at that age. Thanks Inge!
Great review! I’m looking forward to reading this one soon. I keep hearing good things about Fuller’s writing and atmosphere, though it seems some readers have been disappointed with the plot of this book. I’m curious to see where I’ll land, and hoping it’ll be a positive experience overall for me, as it looks like it was for you! It is fun to get swept up in a story and read past your bedtime now and then!
Thanks! 😀 I really hope you will enjoy it. Yes, it is quite low key without much of a plot. To me it was the writing, the atmosphere and the intriguing circumstances of the characters, which kept me spellbound. But that may not work for everyone and I can see why some readers would be disappointed. It’s also less “exotic” than some of the other books on the longlist, with some relatively unremarkable, quiet characters living in poverty in rural England.
Awesome review! It does sound truly engrossing. I love how connected you were to the characters, to the story, to all the emotional turmoil conveyed by the author through this story. Thank you for sharing! 😀
Thank Lashaan, I love it when I find books like this one, which keep me completely immersed throughout.
Very enjoyable review. It is good when a book engages as to keep you spellbound. Those are the best.
I am glad you enjoyed it! And I fully agree. It’s been a while, since a book made me read through the night.