This makes for the perfect holiday / beach read . I simply love reading books set in Europe in the summer and the Sicilian backdrop for this one is done so well , it’s very atmospheric and will transport you to the island .
Plot wise it’s nothing overly original but it works and works well, it sort of had saltburn vibes , an outsider looking in to a rich family . There’s drama and secrets , the writing is good and would make great TV!
Looking forward to what Kemp writes next …

I received an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Fourth Estate, and the author Marina Kemp.
I couldn't put this book down!
It was incredibly involving, vivid, and anxiety-inducing at times. The author writes incredibly well with extremely engaging and realistic characters.
Her descriptions of motherhood were particularly on point.
Would highly recommend!

explores the complex relationship between humanity and nature, focusing on themes of environmental conservation, family, and belonging. Set in a small, rural community facing changes due to climate and economic pressures, the story follows characters who have different perspectives on the land they call home. As they grapple with their personal lives and the shifting landscape around them, tensions arise over conservation efforts and the question of what it means to truly care for the environment.

Through richly drawn characters and vivid descriptions of the natural world, Kemp examines the moral and emotional conflicts surrounding conservation and "rewilding" practices. The novel dives into how different generations and communities negotiate the legacy of the land, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in environmental themes, rural life, and the human side of ecological issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and 4th Estate for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and apologies for not having read it sooner (kindle issues!)
This is a story about generational trauma, how we can inherit the troubles and sadness of our ancestry, and how this manifests in different characters due to their personal experiences, memories, and personalities.
This was a well-written character-led story, starting at the holiday home of a renowned, domineering writer and his family. They have many guests through the summer months but the book centres on a select few and the events that occur over that time. We discover the far-reaching consequences of the events and also how events from the past may have had a hand in how things transpired.
The writing was mostly incredibly believable and while not a cheerful read, it was a good tale and I would recommend it to readers who are happy to read about all depths of personalities.

A family saga of sorts, Kemp’s latest novel visits an author’s family and their guests on holiday and then catches back up with the family and one specific guest, a young female writer, years later after their mother has passed away. With a mix of first and third person narration, this quiet novel tells a big story deeply and beautifully.

I loved Marina Kemp’s debut novel Nightingale set in the south of France about a nurse who comes to care for an elderly man and becomes involved with one of his sons. Marina Kemp was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year in 2020 for it.

The Unwilding is her follow-up novel and it’s a rich and interesting tale told in three parts, and set in Sicily, London and Appalachia. It’s about writer and patriarch Don Travers, a bon viveur and narcissistic type who invites young writers to stay in his young family’s rambling summer villa in Sicily.

Don’s wife Lydia, and two of his daughters Tree and Nemony are at the centre of the novel, though Lydia says almost nothing, including to those closest to her. Her reasons for this become known as the story is told. Zoe is a young writer invited to stay with the family in Sicily who begins to pull the threads of the family’s story many years later.

I found easily the weakest part of the book to be the London chapters, the story dragged a bit here in the middle, but overall this was a beautifully written and compelling literary family drama that I enjoyed and missed when I finished it.

The first third of the book is the strongest, with a sultry setting in Sicily and the innocence of childhood captured so well in Nemony’s chapters. It’s melancholy and sad, not a happy summer read, and a slow burn, but it’s poignant and memorable with really well-drawn characters. The book within a book trope works really doesn’t always work, but it shines here. Atonement vibes (which is high praise obviously). 4/5⭐️

This book is rather good it is set in the atmosphere of a sultry family Mediterranean holiday with multiple family members and guests
The sexual intrigue is tense throughout the book is told in sections set at different times allowing the full story of the summer holiday to come out as well as allowing us to learn more about individual family members. I can often get lost in books which jump around in time but I found that this book was well set out and I was clear at all times about what time I was reading and he was the narrator.
This is like a modern version of the novel the go-between by LPHartley in which a child in edward in England sees what’s going on with her elders it took me a long time to remember the name of this novel which was on the tip of my tongue irritatingly for several hours
There is a shock with a mother leaving her too tiny Children. This isn’t something you read about in novels and it was brutal.
One of the things I like most about this book is the description of relationships between siblings which the author catches perfectly. He also has the ability to capture described individual peoples character so perfectly her characters all feel totally real unbelievable
Setting the majority of this novel in the heat of a Mediterranean summer add to the feeling of claustrophobia and overheating of emotions
I was aware of the authors previous novel The Nightingale, but it has languished on my to read list for too long after reading this. I’m sure I’m going to go back at some station enjoy the nightingale
I read an early copy of the novel on NetGalley UK in exchange for a review the book is published in the UK on the 4th of July 2024 by fourth estate.
This review will appear on Goodreads, NetGalley UK, and my book blog bionicsarahsbooks.wordpress.com. After publication it will also appear on Amazon UK.

Absolutely captivating. The exploration of motherhood is profound, with Nemony, the youngest daughter in a troubled family, often guiding the narrative. Her budding friendship with Zoe, a young writer previously endorsed by Nem’s father, is pivotal as she grapples with sleep deprivation and a self-absorbed husband. The story, marked by its raw honesty and sometimes harsh realities, delves into Nem’s quest to uncover truths about her mother and sister Tree. The resolution is both satisfying and intriguingly open-ended. This might be the standout book of my year so far.

I think this may be the best book I've read this year so far, the writing is superb. The Unwilding tells the story of the Travers family from the perspective of Nemony the youngest child and a writer, Zoe who stays with the family one summer in Sicily. The story covers Nemony as a young child and then as an adult looking back on the past and trying to piece things together, she is in contact with Zoe again who may hold the key as to what really happened, we go from Sicily to London to America. We look at family life, how much we really know about those closest to us, the love, fury and hatred that can sit bubbling beneath the surface. A wonderful book.

At first I wasn’t quite sure I was going to enjoy this one but once I got into the groove of this one, I flew through it. I thought the writing was fantastic and how the author nailed creating atmosphere throughout the novel. I thought all the themes, particularly motherhood which I usually steer clear of in books, were done so well.

"The Unwilding" by Marina Kemp is likely a novel that delves into themes of nature, environmental change, and the impact of human activity on the natural world. Kemp, known for her evocative writing and ability to explore complex emotions and social issues, probably uses this novel to examine the tension between humanity and the environment, possibly focusing on a specific landscape or community undergoing transformation.

The title, "The Unwilding," suggests a narrative centered around the concept of rewilding or the opposite—the gradual loss of wild spaces due to development, industrialization, or other human influences. The story might follow characters who are directly involved in or affected by these changes, such as conservationists, local residents, or even those who are indifferent to the environmental shifts around them. Kemp could explore how these changes impact not only the landscape but also the people who live there, creating a narrative that is both personal and universal.

The novel could also touch on themes of loss, resilience, and the struggle to preserve what is natural in a world increasingly dominated by human concerns. The characters might face moral and ethical dilemmas as they navigate the complex relationship between progress and preservation, possibly leading to conflicts within the community or within themselves.

"The Unwilding" is likely a thought-provoking read for those who are interested in environmental issues, the dynamics of rural life, and the broader implications of how we interact with the natural world. Marina Kemp's nuanced storytelling could provide a rich exploration of these themes, making the novel a compelling choice for readers who appreciate fiction that tackles real-world issues with sensitivity and depth.

I enjoyed this book from the very first moment, as we meet the formidable Travers family holidaying in Sicily. Seen through young writer Zoe’s eyes, we see the formidable patriarch and literary titan, Don, his almost silent workhorse of a wife, Lydia and their four children. Zoe has been invited as a young creative and she finds herself floundering among intellectual heavyweights and established talents in different fields. Don is by turns encouraging, patronising in every sense of the word, and charismatic We see the world through Nemony’s eyes too. She is the youngest Travers child at ten years old, sensing her beloved older siblings slipping away from her into the world of adulthood. She observes them all and understands only some of it. Lydia who does nothing but cook, is unwell; the older children who have never liked the female hangers on, are hating the woman who is inseparable from Don and who is, they strongly believe sleeping with him.. Tree, the eldest, beautiful and bright, is feeling powerful and reckless. It is a summer when everything changes. The next time we meet them it is twenty years later. Nemony is struggling as a new mother with an artist partner who essentially lets her parent alone. She meets Zoe again, now a successful writer, by chance, and a friendship of sorts begins. The story explores damaged families, motherhood, fatherhood and creativity. Marina Kemp looks at how very different versions of the same upbringing can exist for siblings growing up in the same home and she also makes us question the very ownership of those narratives. Who, if anyone, should tell these stories? This is a beautifully written novel which kept me entranced.

Initially I found this book rather dull, so many characters I didn't really care about, but I'm glad I persevered with reading it. The book came alive once the children had grown up and you were drawn into their lives. Rather a sad story of a father who was so self obsessed he didn't care for his wife or his children.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a couple of chapters to get into it but after that I was engrossed.

I suppose the book is about how people with power and confidence (usually men, fathers, boyfriends, community leaders) can oppress and damage the powerless whether deliberately or not.. It is not a preachy book though, it's a great story about the family of a famous man, their interactions and stories and how his fame and drive affected his children and those around him..

The main characters Zoe and Nemony are well drawn and believable. We first meet them when they are young and entirely powerless so we can understand and sympathise them as their characters change in later life. Lydia's backstory and what happened to Tree are interesting and so sad.

At the start in Sicily there are a lot of characters and I did get a bit mixed up about who was who and what their role was but that is a minor point and perhaps it is designed to illustrate that Don will always be more interested in other people rather than his own family. Also, I was not quite clear why Nemony was so very upset about Liam's painting and why it brought to a head all her feelings about Liam and their relationship.

I felt the ending was a bit abrupt and came too soon, I could have read on and would have liked to have found out more about Zoe and Nemony.

I devoured this book.

I found it was almost redolent of so much literature I have enjoyed, thinking Bitter Orange (Claire Fuller) for the immersion of a hot Italian summer, The Exhibitionist (Charlotte Mendelson) for the powerfully selfish paterfamilias and Demon Copperhead (Barbara Kingsolver) for the realities of Appalachian life. Dysfunctional families, too many to mention!

The story alternates between two perspectives Nemony daughter of Don Travis and Zoe who has been unexpectedly invited into the holiday home of svengali Travis. The first a young child as the book opens encountering Zoe, a very young adult being welcomed into the elite literati of Don Travis. The story follows through the piecing together of that summer, the fallout and the unravelling twenty + years later.

The joy for me was the brilliant characterisation and the craft with which Kemp built each individual. I find family perspectives on events completely fascinating. Each seeing their own piecemeal truth from what they already know and don't know giving the reader a mosaic of unreliable narrators.

Whilst I did not find the ending unexpected or a twist in the tale, it really did not matter because I had been assembling my own "truths" from the breadcrumb trails. Loved it!

With thanks to #NetGally #WilliamCollins and #FourthEstate for allowing me to read and review

Absolutely beautiful new novel by Marina Kemp. If you like books hinged around family dynamics then this is for you. Told from two different viewpoints the novel spans years and locations; from Sicily, to London to Appalachia. The prose is stunning and the characters are carefully drawn.

Told from the points of view of Zoe and Nemony, this story takes us from Sicily to London to the old mining towns of Appalachia, locations which are clearly realised in time and place and play important roles in the unraveling of this family saga.

We see Nemony grow from a watchful child, witnessing her older siblings trying to navigate the adult world, into a new mum experiencing loneliness and grief, trying to piece together her family history. Zoe’s journey takes her from naive writer, embarrassed by her upbringing to an assured writer endeavouring to challenge gender stereotypes and bias within the literary world.

Tackling hard hitting themes such as motherhood, family dynamics, gender roles, power and sibling relationships, it is not an easy read at times but you become immersed within the Travers family and you don’t want to let go.

Brilliantly written, it takes you on a roller coaster of emotions that is the mayhem of family and leaves you pondering the fates of the characters long after you’ve finished it.

A beautifully written story that begins in Sicily at the holiday home of feted writer Don Travers and travels to London and America in turn. Travers sees himself as a mentor to up-and-coming writer Zoe who witnesses the changing lives of his children, in particular his youngest, Nemony. I particularly loved the scenes set in Sicily, which were most evocative and set the tone of the rest of the book. All the characters are well drawn although I found Zoe rather dislikeable the further into the book I read.

The Unwilding is the best book I've read so far this year and I highly recommend it if you enjoy reading about family dynamics, motherhood and writers.

Many thanks to NetGalley and 4th Estate for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Unwildling spans across years and is setin various interesting locations,
It starts in Sicily when Zoe, a writer, visits the acclaimed writer Don’s house.
During this time, Don’s family go through life-changing situations during this time.
Time passes and Don’s youngest daughter Nemony, now an adult, comes to some important realisations.
Plot 3.5
Prose 4 (mostly gripping and subtle)
Characterisation 4
Mood 4.5
Concept/idea 4.5

The Unwilding was a wild ride, surprising, intense and utterly engrossing. At first I was unsure what kind of book I was reading: the characters were vivid, the dynamics opaque and something was lurking behind the mundane holiday facade of a famous author, his family and the friends and acolytes he has invited to join them in Tuscany. The writing is literary in the best sense, and I enjoyed travelling through time with the protagonists. I especially liked the narrowing of the perspective to just two characters through whom we see what is happening: Nemony, the family's youngest daughter, just eight years old at the start, and Zoey, an aspiring young writer invited for the first time by her literary hero, trying to navigate a social system she doesn't yet understand, but will when we meet them again years later.

The novel manages to be a great portrayal of motherhood and parental relationships; it portrays power dynamics between genders, generations and family members; it talks about literature, art and the production of both; it deals with memories, tragedies and secrets. Though bursting with themes, ideas and action, The Unwilding always stayed on the right side of chaos. I never felt that the plot was too jumbled, rather that it all came together beautifully,

I did not know what to expect and I really liked it. Highly recommended as an entertaining, engaging and satisfying read, and a big thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.