The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind. We finally began repairing and renovating our home, addressing some storm damage from April and updating a few other things. Just as all this work wrapped up, Hurricane Beryl hit, leaving us to deal with days without power, downed limbs, and some new damage. Thankfully, we are safe, and the damage is minimal this time. Although I've been less active on the blog amidst all this chaos, my reading hasn't slowed down. With that in mind, I'm excited to finally return with a review for one of my most anticipated reads of the year.
Liz Moore's 2020 novel, Long Bright River, was a standout for me. The dark and visceral mystery captivated me with its deeply drawn characters, grounded realism, and compelling plot. It wasn’t an easy or light read, but it stayed with me long after I finished it. After four long years of eagerly waiting for something new from Moore, I was thrilled to receive a copy of her latest novel, The God of the Woods, from her publisher. Like her previous work, this novel centers on a missing person's case, but this time, it unfolds across multiple characters and timelines. Moore's unique, gripping, and thought-provoking writing style shines in this novel, exploring different themes and subjects while seamlessly weaving together another compelling read.
The sun is just beginning to peek over the horizon at an Adirondack summer camp when a counselor notices an empty bunk. It's 1975, and Barbara Van Laar, the camper who should be there, is missing. The counselor, Louise, doesn't initially panic. After all, each cabin is dutifully monitored by one of Camp Emerson's counselors. Surely, they'll know where Barbara is. When Louise discovers the hungover counselor, who very obviously didn't spend the night ensuring the safety of her charges, the reality of the situation begins to set in. Barbara isn't just any camper; she's a member of the Van Laar family, one of the region's wealthiest and most prominent families. The Van Laars own the camp and employ many of the local residents who run it. This is a disaster.
The urgency to find Barbara is heightened by several other alarming factors. News of an escaped killer has broken, and he is suspected to be hiding in the very woods surrounding the camp. Even more concerning, this isn't the first time a Van Laar has vanished in these woods. Decades ago, Barbara's older brother, Bear, disappeared among these trees, sending his parents, Peter and Alice Van Laar, into a tailspin. With Barbara now missing, locals fear history may be repeating itself. Could these two cases be related? Can Barbara be found alive?
In The God of the Woods, Liz Moore delves into the complexities of wealth, expectation, and legacy through a multifaceted missing person's case that will keep readers guessing until the very end. The story's intricate structure takes time to settle into as Moore alternates between various characters' perspectives across two different timelines. The past, set in the 1950s, revolves around Bear's disappearance, while the present, set in the 1970s, centers on Barbara's. This nonlinear narrative gradually reveals each character's motivations, withholding their true intentions until the story's climax. While this approach can initially feel tedious, I was utterly absorbed in the mystery by the halfway point, captivated by Moore's narrative craftsmanship.
The richly portrayed setting further enhances the story's allure. The woods become almost a spiritual realm, providing the perfect backdrop for Moore's intricate narrative. The grandeur and mystery of the forest create a constant, grounding presence amidst the shifting perspectives. This setting, combined with the complex characters and central mystery, makes the story's narrative acrobatics more engaging. The conclusion is both tragically poetic and deeply satisfying, delivering final revelations that feel both shocking and inevitable. The God of the Woods is another standout work from Liz Moore. It offers an unconventional take on the mystery genre that encourages contemplation of its deeper meanings while enthralling readers with its compelling story.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2024, 52)
I hate that you had to deal with no power and the storm, but I am glad you made it through ok. A missing camper and an escaped killer definitely turns up the stress a notch.
ReplyDeleteThe no power thing seems to happen more frequently these days. I'm just glad I had some good books loaded on my kindle to get me through it all!
DeleteI wondered if you'd been affected by hurricane Beryl. I'm glad no serious damage was done and that you made it through safely, though it sucks you were without power like that. And this story does sound like a good one. I was pretty much hooked with that summer camp setting. :D
ReplyDeleteThe power situation has been ridiculous. I've got friends and co workers who still don't have it back yet. Thankfully the worst of our damage was our back fence being blown over. We should have a new one built by EOD tomorrow.
DeleteAs for this book, I think you'd really enjoy her writing. The non-linear style takes a bit to get used to, but I found it to be very effective.
More storm damage :/ But I am glad it was not as bad
ReplyDeleteThankfully, we were spared from the worst of it. Just a downed fence and lots of broken tree branches.
DeleteSo sorry you are dealing with more storm damage, even if it is mild. The days without power had to be awful! Fabulous review.
ReplyDeleteThank you! We were some of the luckier ones in our area. There are several neighbors who had trees come down and land on or in their homes. Others still don't have power back yet. It has been quite a mess.
DeleteWhat a double whammy - getting hit by Beryl before you even give the damaged repaired from the last big storm. Thank goodness for the escape of reading! This sounds like such an intriguing story. Your description makes it seem like a perfect blend of mystery and literary fiction.
ReplyDeleteThis book was exactly the escape I needed!
DeleteI'm glad you didn't have too much damage from the storm. The days without power must've been brutal with the heat.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds very compelling. I haven't read anything by this author yet, but I'm adding this to my list.
I've never appreciated the cool AC more in my life haha!
DeleteBoth this and Long Bright River are stellar novels!
What a bummer to finally get going on repairs from damage made in April to have yet another storm! I did see a lot about the power outages in Texas. That must've been hard to take with the summer heat! Happy to hear you didn't have a lot of new damage with Beryl and that you have your power back.
ReplyDeleteGod of the Woods sounds like a mystery I'd enjoy! There must've been a big age difference between Barbara and Bear for the timelines to be 20 yrs apart. Unless I'm reading that wrong.
Yes, we were very lucky, and thankfully still have our construction projects on track to be completed by Friday!
DeleteAs for the age difference, you are correct that it was large. One thing to consider though is that Barabara is already a teenager when this takes place.
So glad to hear you are safe and things are going to be able to move along with your repairs and projects!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like this one, and our library has it. I am number 120 in line on 53 copies. Hopefully it comes quick!
I think you'd like this one too! Have you read Long Bright River?
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