When Does "The Unsettled" (2023) Take Place?
"The Unsettled" is a political historical fiction novel written by Ayana Mathis that released September 26th, 2023. So when is "The Unsettled" set?
It takes place in the years:
We know this because when Ava Carson is being interviewed at the Glenn Avenue Family Shelter, Ms. Simmons says, "So. Last employment, three years ago." and then specifically, "Most recent form of income was this job at Kelly Girl Services? In 1982?"
1985 AD - 1986 AD
We know this because when Ava Carson is being interviewed at the Glenn Avenue Family Shelter, Ms. Simmons says, "So. Last employment, three years ago." and then specifically, "Most recent form of income was this job at Kelly Girl Services? In 1982?"
1982 + 3 = 1985.
Furthermore, this early part of the story has a massive header on a page all by itself reading: "1985".
More specifically, on one of the very first pages "There they were, on a late August morning". So it is August of 1985 AD at the beginning.
Later, the narrator states, "Ava and Toussaint had been in this new life for four months." Plus afterward, we're told about Toussaint, "He was twelve".
8.1985 + 4 months = 12.1985
and
12.
Furthermore, at the start of this part of the narrative there is a second high header by itself that reads: "1986".
More specifically, one chapter begins "BY LATE JULY the city was a hot fun of garbage stink"... So it is July of 1986 AD at this point.
Additionally, there is a frame story in which "He was thirteen years old. Two years before, a fire had consumed 248 Ephraim Avenue," referring to the events of the 1986 AD part of the novel. During the 1985 AD section of the book, the narrator specifically tells us Toussaint is "a little boy of ten, small for his age". So the frame narrative takes place during 1988 AD.
1986 + 2 = 1988
and
13 - 10 = 3
and
1985 + 3 = 1988.
