Unsheltered

by Barbara Kingsolver
Unsheltered cover
Good Books rating 3.81
Historical Fiction
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  • ID: 10662
  • Added: 2026-02-02
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9780571347063
  • Publisher: Faber & Faber
  • Published: 2018-10-16
  • Reviews: 4

Willa Knox is a woman struggling to hold her family and crumbling home together in a world that seems increasingly precarious. With her two grown children, a newborn grandchild, and her ailing father-in-law all living under one roof, Willa discovers a historical connection to a pioneering female scientist who once lived on her street. This connection might just be the key to saving her home from ruin and keeping her family together despite the odds./n/nThe novel weaves together the stories of Willa and her family with that of the scientist, exploring themes of resilience, family, and the enduring power of historical connections. As Willa navigates the challenges of modern life, she finds inspiration and strength in the past, ultimately learning that the past and present are more interconnected than she ever imagined.

Reviews
Lesley Krueger · Lesley Krueger · 2019-08-27
lively 3.75

The book is one of Kingsolver's more spritely works, with a wry and jokey protagonist. It tackles serious themes with a lighter touch.

Lesley Krueger finds Unsheltered to be one of Barbara Kingsolver's more lively and engaging works. The protagonist, Willa, is described as jokey and wry, which adds a lighter tone to the narrative. Despite dealing with serious themes, the book manages to maintain a sense of levity and humor. Krueger appreciates how the author balances these elements, making the story both thought-provoking and enjoyable. It's a book that doesn't take itself too seriously, which makes it all the more compelling.

Quick quotes

    Written down so baldly, it sounds dire, but Unsheltered is one of Kingsolver's more spritely books.

    Willa is jokey and wry, and the authorial voice is engaging.

    It tackles serious themes with a lighter touch.

Cristina Sanders · 2019-01-14
positive 4.50

The story explores complex relationships with poignant and real threads. The unexpected elements make the characters vivid.

The reviewer highlights the book's exploration of complex relationships, which they find poignant and real. The unexpected elements in the story bring the characters to life, making them vivid and memorable. The reviewer appreciates the depth and authenticity of the relationships portrayed in the book, which adds a layer of emotional resonance to the narrative.

Quick quotes

    This is a story of complex relationships

    The many threads binding the characters together feel poignant and real

    The unexpected makes them vivid

Libro Fulltime · 2018-10-30
positive 4.00

Despite its heavy-handedness, the book is powerful and impressive. It skillfully weaves together numerous issues and emotions.

The reviewer acknowledges that the book can be heavy-handed at times but finds it very powerful and impressive. They are amazed by the number of issues and emotions the author manages to incorporate into the narrative. The reviewer appreciates the complexity and depth of the story, which makes it a compelling read despite its flaws.

Quick quotes

    Heavy-handed it might be, but I also found it very powerful and impressive

    It's amazing how many issues and emotions she works in

    Like many of Kingsolver's novels, it's a book that stays with you long after you've finished reading

The Guardian · 2018-10-24
mixed 3.00

The book is meticulously researched but suffers from an overly didactic tone. It struggles to balance teaching with storytelling.

The reviewer praises the depth of research in the book, comparing it to the works of Willa Cather. However, they feel that the author's eagerness to educate overshadows the narrative, making the reading experience feel more like a lecture than a story. The book's attempt to tackle multiple issues and emotions is impressive, but the heavy-handed approach detracts from its overall impact.

Quick quotes

    Unsheltered is researched as carefully as any Cather novel

    Kingsolver is so anxious to demonstrate and teach that there is no space here

    It's amazing how many issues and emotions she works in

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