This book was such a joy to read—thoughtful, intelligent, and surprisingly funny. I hadn’t been aware of Linn Ullmann before, but after receiving messages from people praising her work, I can absolutely see why. Without drawing too many comparisons, there’s a definite echo of authors like Deborah Levy and Rachel Cusk.
Unquiet is a deeply moving, layered memoir that explores the narrator’s complex relationship with her parents. Her mother, an absent, glamorous Norwegian actress, and her much older, equally complicated Swedish father, a famous film director, form the heart of the story.
The narrator spends her summers with her father in the Swedish archipelago in Fårö, and it’s these magical yet regimented Nordic summers—an experience I personally relate to—that shape the narrative. She reflects on her bond with her absent yet beloved father, the impact of place on creativity and legacy, and the complexity of family dynamics.
The story delves into her relationships with multiple siblings from different mothers, exploring how love, creativity, and energy helped hold a fractured family together. Her father is a powerful figure around whom the family congregated.
This is also a poignant book about aging—how difficult it is to do gracefully, how time passes more quickly than we expect. The memoir touches on so many themes, from family to identity, that it’s hard to simplify and fully convey its message. It’s one of those books that must be experienced in all its narrative complexity. There are beautiful vignettes throughout, with moments and stories that, together, form a powerful whole.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has parents, anyone who has loved someone, or anyone considering what it means to grow old! So, everyone. A truly beautiful read with fascinating cultural references. I’m excited to explore more of Ullmann’s work—I think I’ve found a new favourite.
One word: Stunning.
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