Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller

Please find the discussion questions for our May 2023 pick, Unsettled Ground by Clare Fuller below! I’d love to hear what you thought of the book.

• You can the ongoing book club discussions in the Facebook group here.
• You can order your copy of the book here or you can buy all three of our quarter 2 book club picks (at a discounted rate!) here.

QUESTION 1

The cottage and garden play such a central role within the novel, did you see it as refuge or prison or perhaps both?

QUESTION 2

What were your thoughts about the relationship between Jeanie and Julius and how it changed and developed over the course of the novel?

QUESTION 3

Why hasn’t Julius succeeded in having a relationship with a woman?

QUESTION 4

How did the behaviour of the other characters affect how you felt about Jeanie and Julius?

QUESTION 5

What did you think about the way poverty is dealt with in the novel and how did the novel encourage you to explore how humanity deals with people who live on the edge of society?

QUESTION 6

If Jeanie hadn’t lived her life under the shadow of Dot’s lie, how different do you think her life might have been? What might have been possible for Jeanie if Dot hadn’t lied?

QUESTION 7

How did the revelations affect how you felt about Dot and her relationship with the twins?

QUESTION 8

What role does music play in Jeanie and Julius’ family? 

QUESTION 9

What did you think about the ending? Was it a relief or did it seem too good to be true?

QUESTION 10

In 2021, this book won the Costa Novel Award and was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. Do you often read books that have won or been featured in award lists? Do you have any favourite prize-winning books or authors?