Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver

In Unsheltered, Barbara Kingsolver delves into the complexity of family, society, and personal survival through a compelling narrative that spans generations. The novel intertwines two stories: one set in the present day and the other in the late 19th century.

In the present, Willa Knox, a journalist struggling to make sense of her life, finds herself trapped in a decaying house in a town on the verge of collapse. As the magazine she worked for folds and her husband’s academic career falls apart, Willa must navigate the challenges of supporting her family while grappling with the realization that the future she envisioned is slipping away.

Parallel to Willa’s journey is the story of Thatcher Greenwood, a 19th-century schoolteacher who battles the growing divide between science and religion in an era of great intellectual turmoil. The two stories collide in a powerful exploration of how history, politics, and human nature shape our lives.

Unsheltered is a rich, thought-provoking novel that asks deep questions about how we survive in a world full of chaos and uncertainty, and how we find shelter — both physical and emotional — in times of crisis.