Who Would Like This Book:
This book is perfect for anyone who loves atmospheric mysteries with a touch of gothic unease. The setting - the remote Adirondack woods, eerie cabins, and the enigmatic Van Laar estate - feels almost like a character itself. With a tangled web of timelines and complex, morally gray characters, The God of the Woods is both an immersive family saga and a suspense-filled whodunit. Fans of literary mysteries, multi-generational dramas, and slow-burn suspense will find themselves absolutely hooked.
Who May Not Like This Book:
If you're not a fan of slow-burn mysteries or find multiple perspectives and time jumps confusing, this one might not be for you. Some readers found it hard to keep track of all the characters and timelines, and felt the pacing lagged at times. If you prefer fast-paced thrillers or stories that get right to the action, you may find this detailed, layered approach a bit meandering.
About:
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a gothic layered mystery set in a secluded summer camp in the Adirondacks. The story revolves around the mysterious disappearances of two children from the wealthy Van Laar family, Bear and his sister Barbara. The atmosphere is thick with unease, enhanced by the camp's isolated setting and the dark legends surrounding it. The narrative weaves through different timelines and perspectives, offering glimpses into the lives of pre-teen girls and women, highlighting themes of class inequality, injustice, and the struggles women faced in the past.
Moore's writing style is immersive and detailed, bringing the camp and its characters to life. The story unfolds slowly, revealing twists and deepening mysteries that keep readers engaged. Some readers appreciated the complex characters and the intricate plotting, while others found the fragmented narrative a bit challenging to follow. Overall, The God of the Woods is praised for its rich themes, clever misdirection, and an enthralling atmosphere that keeps readers guessing until the end.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of abuse, childhood trauma, and class prejudice, which may be distressing to some readers.
From The Publisher:
THE RUNAWAY NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
" The God of the Woods should be your next summer mystery. " - The Washington Post
"Extraordinary . . . Reminds me of Donna Tartt's 1992 debut, The Secret History . . . I was so thoroughly submerged in a rich fictional world, that for hours I barely came up for air." - Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air , NPR
" Riveting from page one to the last breathless word. " -Rebecca Makkai, New York Times bestselling author of I Have Some Questions For You
When a teenager vanishes from her Adirondack summer camp, two worlds collide
Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn't just any thirteen-year-old: she's the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region's residents. And this isn't the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara's older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.
As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore's multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore's most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.
Ratings (184)
Incredible (35) | |
Loved It (68) | |
Liked It (39) | |
It Was OK (32) | |
Did Not Like (10) |
Reader Stats (368):
Read It (186) | |
Currently Reading (3) | |
Want To Read (160) | |
Did Not Finish (6) | |
Not Interested (13) |
12 comment(s)
12.09.2024
12.18.2024
Twisty page turner. Found it to be novel, without pitfalls of being too obvious/too opaque
3.5 or 4 stars? An overall satisfying, page-turning mystery. Wild, yet delicate family drama with complex characters and an immersive setting.
SO JUICY. 10 out of 10.
3.4 stars, I struggled to get through this one. The ending was sweet however.
If I had to describe this book in 1 word, that word would be "fine". It's the story of two separate disappearances in one, and though it starts things off with the more recent, it quickly shifts back to the more historical. My main complaint was it took way too much time to get back to what I thought was the more interesting of the two mysteries. While I agree some of that historical context was needed to provide explanations for the way some characters in the more present time line are the way they are, it was way too much which resulted in hours of uninteresting content. For me, the story gets interesting about 2/3 or 3/4 of the way through when it starts to follow the first female detective, Julia, as she starts to put things together. But even that eventually ends up with an ending for both storyline that are "fine".
Lots of pointless sub plots and half cooked character development. Actually I don’t really think any of the characters developed.
I enjoyed this book… with the plot following multiple storylines ending with a good twist…
I really struggled in the middle because nothing much was happening and a constant back and forth with dates didn’t help…I’m just not a big fan of this kind of writing style…
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!
This was interesting! I feel like I should have expected the turns it took, as it turned out to be a mystery much more about trauma and wealth then actual violence. All in all a good story, just dragged a little for me!
Definitely one of the best books I’ve read all year
What can you read after
The God of the Woods?
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