This Is Our Undoing

by Lorraine Wilson
This Is Our Undoing cover
Good Books rating 4.33
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
Technical:
  • ID: 549
  • Added: 2025-09-18
  • Updated: 2025-09-18
  • ISBN: 9781913387655
  • Published: 2021-08-03
  • Formats: 2
  • Reviews: 3
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £12.99

Set in a near-future Europe destabilized by climate change and far-right politics, This Is Our Undoing follows biologist Lina Stephenson as she works in the secluded Rila Mountains, far from the oppressive London State. When a ruthless political enemy is assassinated, Lina's hidden radical past resurfaces, forcing her to navigate a perilous web of political intrigue and personal danger to safeguard her family. Trapped with her vulnerable sister and the dead man's family, Lina faces threats from multiple fronts, including the vengeful eldest son of the deceased and a sinister secret carried by his youngest child. As a catastrophic storm approaches, Lina must confront not only human enemies but also the mysterious dangers lurking in the forest, ultimately pushing her to embrace a darker side to survive and protect those she loves.

Reviews
Mike Finn's Fiction · Mike Finn · 2023-09-02
thought-provoking 4.00

The story is tense and low-key, filled with guilt, fear, and impotent rage, heightened by bonds of love and empathy. The emotional depth and complexity make it a compelling read.

The reviewer highlights the tense and low-key nature of the story, which is soaked in guilt, fear, and impotent rage. These emotions are heightened by bonds of love and inconvenient but inescapable empathy. The reviewer appreciates the emotional depth and complexity of the narrative, making it a compelling read. The story's ability to evoke such strong emotions and its intricate exploration of human relationships are particularly noteworthy. The reviewer also mentions that the story's pacing and atmosphere contribute to its overall impact, making it a memorable and thought-provoking experience.

Quick quotes

    This is a tense but low-key story, soaked in guilt, fear, and impotent rage.

    Heightened by bonds of love, inconvenient but inescapable empathy.

    The emotional depth and complexity make it a compelling read.

One More · 2022-04-08
moving 4.50

The story invites readers to read with their heart and intuition, ultimately undoes them with its emotional impact. The reviewer loved the intimate and personal connection the book fosters.

The reviewer loved how the story invites readers to engage with it on an emotional and intuitive level. They appreciate the personal connection the book fosters, making it a deeply moving experience. The reviewer highlights the emotional impact of the story, which ultimately undoes them in the best way possible. The intimate and personal nature of the narrative is particularly noteworthy, making it a memorable and impactful read. The reviewer also mentions that the story's ability to evoke strong emotions and its intimate exploration of human relationships add to its overall appeal.

Quick quotes

    I loved the way I felt invited to read This Is Our Undoing with my heart and my intuition.

    It inevitably undid me with its emotional impact.

    The intimate and personal connection the book fosters is particularly noteworthy.

Full House Literary · 2021-11-12
brilliant 4.50

The novel is captivating and effortlessly brilliant, with writing that is a joy to read. It invites readers to engage deeply with its complex world and characters.

The reviewer finds the novel captivating and effortlessly brilliant, praising the writing style that makes it a joy to read. They appreciate how the story invites readers to engage deeply with its complex world and characters. The reviewer highlights the intricate and beautifully written prose that creates a rich and immersive experience. The novel's ability to captivate and engage readers is a testament to its brilliance, making it a standout in the genre. The reviewer also mentions that the story's depth and complexity add to its overall appeal, making it a must-read for those who enjoy thought-provoking fiction.

Quick quotes

    Lorraine Wilson's 'This Is Our Undoing' is captivating, effortlessly brilliant, and an absolute joy to read.

    With writing that you can just sink into.

    It invites readers to engage deeply with its complex world and characters.

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