From the Bookshelf of La Crescent Public Library…

[close] Unsheltered was our March library book club pick. The group that came had mixed feelings about the book, which led to a great discussion. The consensus was that everyone felt the book dragged in some place, but that place was different for each reader and what interested them was different too.

The whole group loved the parts of the book based on real historical figures, especially the female scientist Mary Treat. They also liked learning about the history of Vineland and saw many comparisons between present day life and history, how places get their start, what shapes a community, the importance of science, and inevitability of change.

Some characters were difficult to care for, and not many readers liked Iano, Willa's husband, even though he isn't an outright villain. They felt he did not live in the "real world" and was one of the reasons Willa took over caring about everything all at once, since he seemed to care very little beyond his own immediate needs. Tig, however, was everyone's favorite to read about and some members wished the book had gone on longer with just Tig's story. We had a lively discussion about her world views, her ability to communicate with a range of ages, and her arc as a character from start to finish.

While this pick wasn't anyone's favorite read so far, they did see a lot of themes and storylines that resonated such as how history repeats itself, the dualities and spectrum of science and religion, how exhausting the role of caretaker can be, and more.