Unsettled Ground is Claire Fuller’s fourth novel and will be published by Fig Tree (Penguin) on 25th March. At the time of writing this post I am half-way through reading it and am delighted to see that it has been long-listed for the Woman’s Prize for Fiction. You can see from the rest of the marvellously rich long-list this title is in good company!
I would describe it as an elegant slow-burn novel that will appeal to people who enjoy reading literary fiction, and I find myself drawing parallels with another of my favourite writers, the late Helen Dunmore. Brother and sister twins, in their early 50s, who were still living with their widowed mother find themselves evicted from the only home they have ever known after she dies suddenly.
From an early stage of the story it is apparent that they are clearly an odd pair of individuals who don’t seem to fit into the social fabric of their rural community. As a reader I am already rooting for them and admire their half-stubborn, half-naive determination to live by their own rules rather than conform with the expectations of their neighbours. Ill-equipped to cope with change they separately try to make sense of their bewildering circumstances.
There is an an air of mystery about their mother’s life that I have not yet guessed at. I am relishing the subtle and teasing clues that are being gently dripped into the narrative via the dialogue amongst the characters. I already have a number of questions I am looking forward to asking Claire about this book at our event for North Yorkshire Libraries on Saturday 27th March at 2.00 pm and I imagine that you may have some too.
It is a FREE event but if you wish to join us you will need to register here on Eventbrite in order to be emailed a Zoom invitation.
If you would Claire to sign a bookplate with personalised message you can order a dedicated signed copy of Unsettled Ground via the Books Up North bookshop The gift-wrapped hardback book with this lovely Victoriana-style illustrated cover will be posted directly to you or another reader, if you like the ideas of treating someone else. Postage is included in the price. All of Claire’s books will also be available to borrow via Borrowbox and hopefully at your local library if you prefer. Here are the North Yorkshire branches.
Claire’s other books are now available in paperback.
Claire Fuller will be in conversation with Sarah Tyson on Saturday 27th March 2.00 – 3.00 pm
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