As publisher, I requested this book as background reading for a review we running on BookBrowse. You can see this at https://www.bookbrowse.com/mag/reviews/index.cfm/book_number/4707/the-unsettled#reviews

Stated strong but as it went on the situations felt too extreme, making it hard to be immersed. I won’t forget it and I loved how it covered deep, important topics in an unconventional way.

This was a slow burn style of story, If you like fast paced, this might not be for you. I liked it, through-especially liked how everything came together at the end. Will read more from this author in the future.

The Unsettled is a slow burn literary narrative from split perspectives. We are granted POV between daughter Ava and her son Toussaint in Philadelphia and their mother/grandmother Duchess in Bonaparte, Alabama. There are a lot of important and difficult themes explored. Although the characters were complex, the story was disjointed, and it was a struggle to finish. I think the author has potential, but this story needs a lot of refinement and polish to compete with the current offerings in this genre. I would not recommend this book.

3.5⭐️

In 1985, ten-year-old Toussant Wright and his mother Ava are rendered homeless after Ava's husband Abemi threw them out of their home in New Jersey. Penniless and with nowhere to go, they eventually land in Philadelphia, where they are allotted a room in the Glenn Avenue Family Shelter. Forced to survive in the less-than-ideal living conditions of Room 813, Ava struggles to stay afloat and finds it difficult to secure employment despite having worked before she was married and Toussant finds it equally difficult to adjust to his new surroundings. Ava often shares stories of her childhood spent in Bonaparte, Alabama, with Toussant. Her mother, Duchess, who still lives there among friends, takes pride in her community, but her journey has not been an easy one. Times have changed, and many of her near and dear ones have left Bonaparte, but Duchess has stayed on and is fighting to protect their land from the clutches of corrupt land developers. Ava and Duchess are estranged, having drifted apart after Ava left Bonaparte hoping for a fresh start away from the memories of an unhappy childhood, but her life hasn’t turned out the way she had hoped. In the present day, Toussant’s biological father Cassius Wright re-enters her life she is quick to trust him. Cassius is a doctor and former Black Panther who now leads a cult-like commune “Ark” from a home on Ephraim Avenue, where he also runs an illegal health clinic. As the narrative progresses, it becomes evident that Cassius’ volatile temperament and controlling nature will change the trajectory of Toussant’s and Ava’s lives in a way neither of them had anticipated.

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis is a heartbreaking story. The story is presented through multiple perspectives woven together in a relatively slow-paced yet engaging narrative that revolves around themes of racial discrimination and segregation, poverty, homelessness, mental illness and generational trauma. Needless to say, this book is not an easy read. The characters are well thought out and though I would have liked certain aspects of the novel (such as the reasons behind the rift between Ava and Duchess) to have been explored further overall I felt that the author has done a remarkable job of depicting the dynamics between these complex characters. The prose is excellent and though I liked how the different threads of this story intersected, I did find the narrative a tad disjointed. I was left with several unanswered questions, and this detracted from my overall reading experience.

Many thanks to Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the digital review copy via NetGalley.

I typically love a multigenerational saga that follows characters throughout their lives. This was a tough one for me though, it seemed to move very slowly and I struggled to get into it for the first half. I did appreciate how everything was tied together in the end, however!

This story follows Ava and her son Toussaint as they arrive in a shelter. Ava is in a bit of a mental health crisis and in general they are horrified by how they have to live. Over the course of the book we get chapters going back in time that reveal all of the heartbreaking circumstances that led them to be there.

I’m not sure I 100% understood the through line, the structure of the book with the all over the place chapters was confusing. There were times when a chapter was giving someone in Ava’s orbit’s story and while I enjoyed the depth of experience, not sure how it moved Ava’s story forward. I adored Toussaint and wished at every second for a better life for him. There were definitely pieces of this that were hard to read. Was nice to read a story set in Philly where I knew all the places they were! Lots of heavy themes: mental illness, domestic abuse and of course the strife of being a Black person in America between the 1950s and 80s.

This cover is one of my favorites, it’s so beautiful and yet haunting.

Thanks to Knopf for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

This story was multilayered with characters that did not appear to have anything in common. Fortunately, by the end the connection of the multiple storylines was explained. This was not a personal favorite; but was definitely worth the read.

Netgalley requires stars so I went with average, but this was a DNF for me at 28%. I was almost curious enough to keep reading, but the writing style is what did me in. Some of it was too steam-of-consciousness for me. It pulled me away from the characters. I did start to see the reason for it, as I was starting to see the bigger picture of the circumstances of each character, but something about it was too dry for me to be invested and want to continue.

The Unsettled is a coming of age story, but also a story about holding on to our past and inheritance. The story centers around Ava, her mom, Duchess and her son Toussaint. Ava is a wanderer who finds it hard to settle down and provide a stable home for herself and Toussaint. Duchess is trying to hold on to a Black community that is being undersold from her and its few inhabitants by whites in neighboring areas. Ava leaves a short term, unhealthy marriage and ends up depressed in a shelter with her son. Cass, Toussaint's biological father, ex-Black Panther. reappears in their lives and promises a utopia. The story unfolds from the varying viewpoints of Ava, Duchess and Toussaint and how the choices, mostly bad or unthought through effect their present and future. The book was very emotional and thought provoking.

Ayana Mathis's The Unsettled is a powerful and moving novel that delves into the lives of three generations of Black women in America, grappling with themes of racism, poverty, and displacement. Set in 1980s Philadelphia and the fictional Alabama town of Bonaparte, the story follows Ava Carson, a single mother struggling to find stability for her young son, Toussaint, amidst the harsh realities of Reagan-era America.

Mathis's prose is lyrical and evocative, bringing to life the gritty streets of Philadelphia and the dusty roads of rural Alabama. Her characters are richly drawn and complex, each carrying their own burdens and dreams. Ava is a fierce and determined woman, fighting tooth and nail to protect her son from the hardships she faced in her own childhood. Toussaint is a precocious and observant child, grappling with the realities of poverty and racial injustice. And Dutchess, Ava's mother, is a haunted figure, haunted by the past and struggling to find peace in the present.

The novel is interwoven with historical events, such as the MOVE bombing in Philadelphia and the crack cocaine epidemic. These events serve as a backdrop to the characters' own struggles, highlighting the systemic forces that contribute to their unsettledness.

The Unsettled is not an easy read. It deals with difficult subjects and can be emotionally draining at times. However, it is ultimately a hopeful story about resilience, family, and the enduring power of love. Mathis's characters stay with you long after you finish the book, and her novel is sure to spark important conversations about race, class, and the American Dream.

THE UNSETTLED by @ayana.mathis is a novel of displacement and not feeling like you belong as a mother struggles to protect and house herself and her young son in Philadelphia in the 1980s. They find themselves in the predicament of being unhoused first, and after struggling at a shelter for some time, move in with the mother's ex which also happens to be the boy's father. While this move affords them some security from the outside world, they encounter new, darker obstacles and threats to their health.

This story was difficult to read at times but was an eagle's eye view not only of one woman's struggle to protect her own, but also a glaring example of how the U.S. social system is and has been in shambles and allows folks very few options of they are not wealthy or if they have an economic crisis. One of the themes in this book is that the person that promised to protect them was feeling so abandoned by the system itself that he refused to let anyone else around him engage with it and restricted their movements, etc.

Thank you to the author, @netgalley and the publisher @aaknopf for the e-ARC.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Spokane, WA in the U.S.!

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"The Unsettled" by Ayana Mathis is a novel that delves into the complexities of family, identity, and the impact of past traumas. While the book is undoubtedly well-written and tackles important themes, it may not resonate equally with all readers, warranting a three-star rating.

The narrative unfolds in Philadelphia in 1985, where Ava Carson and her son, Toussaint, find themselves at the Glenn Avenue family shelter. Ava's determination to escape the harsh conditions of the shelter is the driving force behind the plot. The intertwining stories of Ava, her estranged mother Dutchess in Alabama, and the reappearance of Toussaint's father, Cass, create a tapestry of familial struggles and the search for a better life.

Mathis's writing is brilliant, and her exploration of complex relationships is both nuanced and vivid. The characters are well-developed, and the dynamics between Ava, Dutchess, and Toussaint offer a rich exploration of family ties and the lingering impact of past traumas.

The novel's strength lies in its examination of the characters' internal conflicts and the broader societal issues woven into the narrative. The portrayal of Cass's radical vision to combat racial injustice and create a new communal living is both timely and thought-provoking.

However, the pacing of the novel may be a point of contention for some readers. The intricate storytelling, while beautifully rendered, may feel slow and meandering at times, potentially causing the reader to lose engagement with the plot.

Additionally, the level of intensity and the characters' volatile relationships may be emotionally taxing for some readers. The complexity of the narrative, while offering depth, might make it challenging for certain readers to fully connect with or invest in the characters' journeys.

In conclusion, "The Unsettled" is a well-crafted and vitally important work that tackles significant themes. Ayana Mathis showcases her storytelling prowess with vivid characters and a compelling exploration of family dynamics. However, the novel's pacing and emotional intensity might not resonate universally, resulting in a three-star rating. It remains a recommended read for those who appreciate intricate family sagas with a focus on social issues.

This was a SLLLLLOOOOWWW burn. At times, I struggled with this one because I didn't get the point and that made me not want to continue reading. But I'm glad I pushed through because I ended up enjoying this multigenerational saga. I didn't enjoy Ava as a character but seeing why she was the way she was throughout the course of the book softened my feelings a little.

I had seen mixed reviews on this novel when I first picked it up, but I had high hopes as I started to read, but that quickly diminished. I got to 55% and could not trudge any further. I debated on leaving a review but there are some decent things to be said about this novel that deserve to be spoken.

The Unsettled feels exactly what the titles alludes to: unsettled and disjointed, with the narrative cutting from one narrator to another, with each unique perspective taking you a minute to get your bearings as you read on. I feel like this was the author’s intent as the hunt for finding your place when the rug has been pulled out from under you can be disjointing, and I felt that especially with Ava and Toussaint’s story. They almost feel like lost souls fighting to find purpose, and my heart did go out to them. It’s heartbreaking to me that this happens to people every single day, yet so many are blissfully unaware as we live our day to day. It’s a heartbreaking thought and my prayers go out to those who are struggling right now.

That being said, I still chose to not finish the novel. The language bothered me and the more I read the more disinterested I became. It had such a strong start and fizzled out to the point that I dreaded picking it up. That right there was my sign to give up.

I’m sad that I couldn’t finish this novel, as I try my hardest to finish everything I pick up, but when it all came down to it I want to enjoy what I am reading and I just did not enjoy The Unsettled.

Took me a little while to get into but once I did...I was surprised at how frank Ayana was. This is Twelve Tribes of Hattie but a little more bold, but still with that same dense yet fine writing. When she finds her true story, Ayana will be unstoppable.

I am not usually a historical fiction reader, but received this book as an ARC and decided to give it a go. It was absolutely full of heartache, poverty, and racism. It could be quite depressing at times, but I believe that was the whole point of the book. Definitely one that I will be doing a lot of thinking about.

Much like its title, The Unsettled is a discomforting read following a family across generations and the relationships they have with each other, their land, and the idea of revolution. Not one character is truly sympathetic, but the depth of each perspective (Ava, Dutchess, and Touissant) lends an understanding of the (sometimes poor) decisions being made. This is not a read for the faint of heart and takes the idea of "morally gray" to new heights as it is applied to situations that are only too real. Mathis is a master in character studies, and I am excited to continue to read their work and see what other ways she can push her readers.

Sorry for this late positive review. Lived up to my expectations. A timely multi-generational novel with emotional impact. Top notch writing.

The Unsettled sat on my to-be-read shelf for quite a while as I sensed that I needed to be in the right head space to read it. I am glad I waited for a time when I could appreciate the heartbreak of this story and of these characters. I especially loved Toussaint's storyline. The book is thought provoking and definitely worth reading! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Unsettled is available now.