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The Unsuitable: A Novel Kindle Edition

4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

Molly Pohlig's The Unsuitable is a fierce blend of Gothic ghost story and Victorian novel of manners that’s also pitch perfect for our current cultural moment.

Iseult Wince is a Victorian woman perilously close to spinsterhood whose distinctly unpleasant father is trying to marry her off. She is awkward, plain, and most pertinently, believes that her mother, who died in childbirth, lives in the scar on her neck.

Iseult’s father parades a host of unsuitable candidates before her, the majority of whom Iseult wastes no time frightening away. When at last her father finds a suitor desperate enough to take Iseult off his hands—a man whose medical treatments have turned his skin silver—a true comedy of errors ensues.

As history’s least conventional courtship progresses into talk of marriage, Iseult’s mother becomes increasingly volatile and uncontrollable, and Iseult is forced to resort to extreme, often violent, measures to keep her in check.

As the day of the wedding nears, Iseult must decide whether (and how) to set the course of her life, with increasing interference from both her mother and father, tipping her ever closer to madness, and to an inevitable, devastating final act.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of The Washington Post's "Best Science Fiction and Fantasy of the Year So Far"

“Pohlig’s descriptions of Iseult’s struggles are riveting, and will unnerve anyone who has battled an overbearing mother....The ending, both terrible and inevitable, was hard to stomach, but then again, the best horror is meant to leave you gutted, gasping for breath, straining to flee the dreadful voice echoing in your mind.”
--The New York Times Book Review

"The Unsuitable is a fiercely feminist Gothic novel of manners and body horror, that portrays spinsterhood, self-image, and mental illness in Victorian times in fresh light."
--Book Riot "20 Must-Read Debut Novels of 2020"

"Fiercely feminist. . . .The Unsuitable is a wildly imaginative novel that portrays self-harm in a respectful, comprehensive way, and sets fire to all preconceived notions with regards to spinsterhood, self-image, and mental illness in Victorian times (which can also be applied to present day.)"
--Book Riot "The Best Books We Read Oct-Dec 2019"

"A feminist Gothic tale that's both of its time and utterly timeless."
--PopSugar

"[The Unsuitable] presents one of the most idiosyncratic protagonists ever to take up residence in our heads...Pohlig's clever novel will have you on pins and needles to the final sentence."
--PopMatters

"A voicey, unsettling ghost story of an unmarriageable Victorian woman and her dead mother’s ghost. This novel of manners is so much darker than you’re expecting."
--TorNightFire

"Pohlig’s acerbic wit sets it apart. Her sentences hilariously critique power structures, in a way that calls back to the late great Shirley Jackson."
--Wicked Horror


“Bloody and bizarre...a pitch-perfect final scene”
--Kirkus

“...series of twists and turns. Pohlig’s anti-marriage plot will interest fans of revisionist gothic fiction.”
--Publishers Weekly

“This suspenseful, occasionally darkly humorous, distinctively written novel is equal parts Victorian horror and cry for independence. Those strong enough to handle this visceral content will find an absorbing read.”
--Booklist

“A weird and bloody ghost story combining the terror of mental illness with body horror that, while set in a gothic world, features a sensibility more at home in the 21st century. Similar in appeal to the intense psychological suspense of Sarah Waters’s
The Little Stranger mixed with the real-life horror of the domestic abuse and self-harm at the heart of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects.”
--Library Journal

"Molly Pohlig has written a true stunner with
The Unsuitable. A novel that takes the body and upends it, all the while focused on the how our interior worlds are oftentimes prolifically shaped by our parentage. On the sentence level it is both gorgeous and messy; a bloody delight. There isn't another book like it. Pohlig has crafted a wonder."
--Kristen Arnett, NYT bestselling author of Mostly Dead Things

The Unsuitable is a gruesome, stabby, wincing book about the ways in which women are influenced, hindered, hurt, and taught to hurt themselves. There is a rebellious glee in Iseult's response to the powers that be, and great humor amidst the glittering darkness. This is a comedy of manners marvelously turned upside down.”
--Sharma Shields, author of The Sasquatch Hunter’s Almanac and The Cassandra

"
The Unsuitable is a weird neo-Victorian fever-dream with a prickly, haunted heroine and an ending you won't see coming."
--Maggie Mitchell, author of Pretty Is

"The Unsuitable is vivid, bloody, and above all, wholly singular. It is impossible to not feel for Iseult as she struggles for a glimmer of independence that both the living and dead are hellbent on smudging out. With this debut, Molly Pohlig establishes herself as a startling force."
--Madeline Stevens, author of Devotion

About the Author

Molly Pohlig graduated from James Madison University with a BA in English, and from University College Dublin with an MA in Film Studies. She is the associate editor for Vogue Knitting magazine, and has written humorous pieces and personal essays for Slate, The Toast, Racked, and The Hairpin. Originally from Virginia, she currently lives in Brooklyn.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07S1HZFBR
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Henry Holt and Co. (April 14, 2020)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 14, 2020
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2146 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 277 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1250246288
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 89 ratings

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
89 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story compelling and interesting. They describe the book as a great read that keeps them engaged. Readers praise the writing quality as beautiful and skillfully crafted. The characters are well-developed and readers feel for the main character, describing her as strong.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

7 customers mention "Story quality"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the story compelling and interesting. They describe it as an original, unusual story with interesting characters and conflict that heightens the narrative tension. The book uses an interesting way to tell the story via two voices occupying the same body. Readers mention the great twist and surprise ending.

"If you are looking for a unique reading experience that combines a compelling story with skilled writing, then I highly recommend The Unsuitable...." Read more

"Unutterably sad. A horror novel like none other. A novel of the terrifying prison to which a woman is consigned...." Read more

"...She uses an interesting way to tell her story via two voices occupying the same body...." Read more

"...Original, and interesting throughtout." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book and find it engaging. They appreciate the twist at the end.

"Great book. Really enjoyed it...." Read more

"Kept me engaged. Really like the twist to development of the mother. Great twist...." Read more

"This was by far one of the best books I have read. A friend recommended this to me and I had no idea what it was about...." Read more

"A great read..." Read more

5 customers mention "Writing quality"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the writing quality of the book. They find it easy to read, with well-crafted sentences and lovely images. The story is compelling with humor that enhances the reading experience.

"If you are looking for a unique reading experience that combines a compelling story with skilled writing, then I highly recommend The Unsuitable...." Read more

"Difficult book to get into, but after the first 50 pages it was easier to read and my interest grew. I was surprised by the ending" Read more

"Molly Pohlig’s sentences are beautifully crafted. They often contain lovely and fresh images like, “watching the raindrops trip over each other in..." Read more

"...What kept me going was the excellent writing, the descriptions of everything making the story so engrossing, the people so well described, that I..." Read more

4 customers mention "Character development"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters and strong female protagonist. They find the book well-written and feel for the main character.

"...Victorian comedy of manners, mental illness, and a strong female protagonist in a small novel. Not to mention the surprise ending...." Read more

"...Isault is an indelible character, as brave as she is doomed, a lamb in the jaws of a deathless mother." Read more

"...Great twist. Characters were developed well to the point I depressed the ones I should have!" Read more

"This was a very well written book, I really felt for the main character...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 2, 2021
    If you are looking for a unique reading experience that combines a compelling story with skilled writing, then I highly recommend The Unsuitable. Reading this book, I had to constantly remind myself that this is the author's debut novel. I can't even imagine what Ms. Pohlig will do next. It takes a talented and slightly twisted mind (in a good way!) to combine gothic horror, Victorian comedy of manners, mental illness, and a strong female protagonist in a small novel. Not to mention the surprise ending.

    Poor Iseult Wince is fast approaching spinsterhood and her wealthy father wants nothing more than to marry her off. Unfortunately, she lacks classic beauty and is socially awkward. And she communicates with her dead mother's spirit. Iseult has no desire to marry. Though her father is angry and demeaning, she does not want to leave the only home she knows. She also fears losing her connection to her mother. Mr. Wince becomes desperate as Iseult scares off suitor after suitor. He introduces her to a man named Jacob who has silver skin from an unconventional treatment for a skin condition. A marriage is arranged without either partners consent.

    As if an unwelcome marriage is not enough to deal with, Iseult has to content with her bossy mother, Beatrice. Beatrice demands obedience and hurts Iseult when she does not comply. The only way to silence her mother is to injure herself. Iseult hoards sharp objects and self mutilates as a way to gain some peace and quiet from her mother's constant chatter and directives. As the wedding day dawns, Iseult makes a decision with terrible repercussions.

    This novel will not be everyone's cup of tea. It is an unusual story with interesting characters and some top drawer writing. If you are in a reading rut, I encourage you to give this book a try.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2021
    Unutterably sad. A horror novel like none other. A novel of the terrifying prison to which a woman is consigned. Isault is an indelible character, as brave as she is doomed, a lamb in the jaws of a deathless mother.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2021
    Difficult book to get into, but after the first 50 pages it was easier to read and my interest grew. I was surprised by the ending
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2020
    Molly Pohlig’s sentences are beautifully crafted. They often contain lovely and fresh images like, “watching the raindrops trip over each other in their haste.” Her wry humor sneaks up on you and brightens the pages. She uses an interesting way to tell her story via two voices occupying the same body. The voices are often in conflict, which heightens the narrative tension. Pohlig builds her case well for the novel’s ending, which is both surprising and inevitable.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021
    Great book. Really enjoyed it. Of all the books i've read about a crazy girl whose mothers ghost lives in their shoulder, this is undoubtedly the best. Original, and interesting throughtout.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2021
    This book is totally cruel and weird! I kept pushing myself to read it through hoping it would get better. It got worse. The insanity continued .... I'm so disappointed that the main character never found peace and acceptance.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 26, 2022
    This was a kind of heartbreaking story, with a difficult subject matter. At times it was uncomfortable to read about all the things the main character endured, and how she tried to cope. What kept me going was the excellent writing, the descriptions of everything making the story so engrossing, the people so well described, that I wanted to follow it through to the end.
    I just wish I hadn’t read the review on here that contains a spoiler, it did kind of ruin the book for me, and I wish whoever reviews the reviews could keep a better eye out for that.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 23, 2020
    Kept me engaged. Really like the twist to development of the mother. Great twist. Characters were developed well to the point I depressed the ones I should have!

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