An Unquiet Place

by Clare Houston

Hannah Harrison escapes her stalled life in Cape Town for a small-town bookshop in the Free State. A concentration-camp journal from the South African War, found in a dusty box of old stock, reveals the life of Rachel Badenhorst, a young girl separated from her family and enduring the crushing hardship of war. Hannah becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Rachel. Coveting the young girl’s courage and endurance, she is compelled to uncover Rachel’s story, never thinking it will lead her to pick open the wounds of a local farmer and dig up old tragedies, unearthing grief that even the land has held on to for over a century.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oddly, I cannot talk about this book without referencing two other vastly different books written by other popular southern African writers: The Madonna of Excelsior by Zakes Mda and Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Unplanned, I found myself reading a series of books that were written from the perspectives of strong female characters, all so different; from different times, cultures and races; but all with rather similar oppressions and desires, with their stories set within an African tradition one can understand. Each novel building upon the other in a way that one would, and could, not expect. These three books somehow creating an unexpected trilogy of novels that contain exciting, determined, beautifully created, and very real female personalities that every South(ern) African knows.
Houston has, in her novel An Unquiet Place, managed to stay away from the chick lit traps that she could have so easily fallen into, she keeps the reader guessing; building upon expectations then cunningly skirting them. She bounces between past and present with ease, continuing to build a word for both eras that is rich and consuming; meaning that when you were in one world, you were really there, not caring to return to the other, all consumed with the indecencies of the past, or the mysteries of the present. Each reveal is artful, each character someone you know, or possibly even yourself. Houston's subtle commentary on small actions and moments, makes the landscape and the characters so perfectly South African, without making them caricatures, making the novel an experience of sight and sound, at times taste, that was a truly African read in many ways.
This is by no means a perfect novel, slightly quirky at times and possibly a little naïve in places; but a wonderfully (although I am hesitant to use this word) light read. I occasionally laughed out loud in parts and teared up in moments. I was caught up in each characters emotions, whether dire or petty. What could have easily been vapid and insipid, was inspiring and riveting. The cycle of abuse, mental anguish, and pain, carried through the centuries in different forms and moments, each (equally) as haunting as the other, carried over by the other novels mentioned in this review, made this book a highlight for this reader.

Found at Alans' Book Stall (Morgan Bay; Eastern Cape).

[Gordon Crowther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped by this story which introduced me to lives and history that speak to mine. At times I laughed out loud and at times I was deeply moved. The writing is beautiful and the characters rich and real. At the end I felt deeply enriched, and wanting the next book by Clare Houston.

[Gabrielle Pitman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - a fantastic read on a subject that I know very little about. Beautifully woven story of loss and redemption, of love and new beginnings. This book had me ready to move to a small town. Definitely recommend.

[Harriet B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know Clare vaguely and am super thrilled to be able to read a debut novel by someone I know! Bias aside I loved the suspense wondering what had happened at Goshem and the local detail of a book set in my own country was such a breath of fresh air. Here’s to many more excellent debut novels by local authors set in this country. I must add that I loved the way she weaved faith into the story so gently and naturally.

[Claire Kolbé ʚϊɞ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the story is gripping and pulls you in through its various themes, keeping you wanting to read on more. Fascinating to explore a lesser known part of our South African history. I could totally picture the scenes and farms in the beautiful free-state in the shadow of the Drakensburg.

[Saff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super interesting. Set in South Africa, this book touches on the South African War. It's a part of South African history that I am not familiar with, so its definitely sparked my interest and inspired me to read up on concentration and black camps during the 19th century.

[Jayne Bauling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hidden history.
A plateau on a Free State farm where no animals come. An old journal. A quest to discover an undocumented South African War concentration camp. These make for an intriguing and atmospheric novel.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. Light read, about a journal from the the Boer War in SA. Bit of a twist at the end. Left me ready to look up a bit more on the war.

[Nicole Hamman-Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an easy and very enjoyable read. It unocks a cusiosity for our lands history. Hope to see some more books from this author.

[Hanlie Pieterse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from the predictable love story, the story within turned out to be really interesting.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! Beautifully written. Made me want to research the Boer War. I could picture a town like Clarens in the story

[Christine Wallace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

Riveting and informative. History we know little of combined with great characters and storyline. Left me wanting to know more.

[Jacquelyn Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A moving love story/psychological thriller so much more meaningful than popular chick flick type fiction.

[Keryn Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful written easy read. I loved being able to learn more about South African history through an enticing and thrilling story.

[Jonathan Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying read with a South African flavour. Some interesting insights into the struggles sorting the South African War. Thoroughly enjoyed it

[Caitie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Themes of grief, loss, community and faith are gently set against the background of less well known South African history. A beautiful and moving book!