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Literature Fiction

By Self Publishing Titans
The God of the Woods: A Novel

The God of the Woods: A Novel

by Liz Moore

4.4 (14154 ratings)
Literature Fiction

Published

July 2, 2024

Pages

490 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Riverhead Books

Available Formats & Prices

View on Amazon

Kindle

$14.99

Hardcover

$17.00

Paperback

$24.49

Audiobook

$0.00

Audio CD

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About This Book

A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER JIMMY FALLON SUMMER READS WINNER ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVORITE READS OF SUMMER 2024 “ 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.

Introduction

Deep within the heart of an ancient forest, where timeless mysteries linger and nature's whispers echo through the air, lies an enigma that has baffled explorers for generations. "The God of the Woods" invites readers into a world where reality and myth intertwine. When young historian Clara Bennett ventures into this dense woodland, she stumbles upon the remnants of a forgotten civilization, uncovering secrets that could alter the course of history.

As she delves deeper, Clara finds herself entwined in a narrative as old as time itself, in a story that challenges her beliefs, her courage, and the very nature of destiny.

Key Takeaways

A compelling narrative intertwines nature's mystique with human vulnerability inviting readers to ponder life's greater mysteries. Explores ancient secrets and forgotten civilizations through a captivating historical lens creating a rich tapestry of storytelling. Offers an intriguing blend of mystery adventure and existential reflections leaving readers questioning their perspectives and beliefs.

Detailed Description

In the thick of an ancient sprawling forest whispers of long-forgotten tales captivate those adventurous enough to listen. Clara Bennett armed with a lifelong passion for history and discovery embarks on a journey to uncover a hidden world entangled in enigma and myth. With every step deeper into the woods Clara finds herself unraveling stories etched in the forest's shadowy depths.

Her quest leads her to a striking discovery that bridges the past and the present weaving the destinies of those before her to her own. As haunting whispers intensify and mystery deepens Clara uncovers more than she bargained for. What awaits her is a revelation so profound that it blurs the line between reality and legend forcing Clara to confront the true nature of what she seeks.

Assailed by enigmatic forces and hidden dangers lurking among the ancient trees she must navigate a world teetering on the edge of the known and unknown. In "The God of the Woods readers are swept into a world of enchantment and analysis—an exhilarating journey of myth and truth entwined in an unforgettable saga that challenges what presumes to understand about fate power and existence itself.

Standout Features

The book masterfully blends historical intrigue with a sense of magical realism drawing readers into an immersive experience where the fantastical seamlessly interweaves with the believable Its vivid descriptions of a mystical forest backdrop enliven the story transforming nature into a character in its own right and offering readers a visceral connection to its world Profound themes of destiny courage and the human condition resonate deeply providing readers with thought-provoking insights that linger long after the last page is turned.

Book Details

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Specifications

Pages:490 pages
Language:English
Published:July 2, 2024
Publisher:Riverhead Books
Authors:Liz Moore

Rating

4.4

Based on 14154 ratings

Customer Reviews

Took a while to engage me, but then I could not put it down!

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Basha Raizel
September 3, 2024

This is a book that's hard to review because there were many things I didn't like about it—in particular, its fragmented nature, with too many points-of-view and endless time-jumps that weren't always organic to the ongoing story—BUT about halfway through I literally could not put it down! That's no easy feat for an author =bravo! The story was fresh, surprising, full of twists, with a cast of compelling characters who (for the most part) were complex, original, and easy to root for. In retrospect, some of it was highly implausible BUT (again) it kept me riveted! Well worth reading.

More than it appears

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Baroke
August 24, 2024

Initially I enjoyed this book as an easy read and a page turner. The story is intriguing and the setting is so evocative of its time and place - it really draws you into its world. And it's just a compelling mystery, suspensefully plotted and paced to keep you coming back for more. But actually it's a lot more than a good mystery. It's a portrayal of the social, class, and gender dynamics of the 1950s to 1970s, and a particularly pointed depiction of how those dynamics impacted women, often to tragic effect. And about how women struggled to make the best of their circumstances, with varying success. This was my introduction to this author but I'll definitely be looking out for more. Great summer read with some appreciated dimension and depth.

Part literally suspense, part social commentary

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Kristel
September 11, 2024

On the surface, The God of the Woods is a wildly captivating mystery about two children who go missing from the same prominent family in the Adirondacks between 1961 to 1975. Scratch the surface and this book is also equal parts a scathing indictment of social hierarchy and the disturbing lengths people will go to in order to preserve their privilege. Ideally, this book should be read over a long weekend or during a week with plenty of anticipated downtime. In other words, don’t make any plans. This is a character rich story with a well-constructed slow burner of plot that can, at times, feel like walking through a funhouse. Moore deftly delivers shifting timelines and two mysteries to solve with her use of misdirection and carefully placed clues. Excellent late summer read with plenty of 1970s upstate New York camp nostalgia (and a neat map of Camp Emerson in every format, including the audiobook!)

Great book!

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Tracie
September 10, 2024

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore This is a good slow thriller/mystery. It is not fast paced and it does meander between multiple time lines among the many characters. You have a teen girl, Barbara, that disappears while at camp. A family owned camp with a history. Fourteen years earlier her brother Bear had disappeared there, without a trace. Now as the investigation plows through the present 1975 and 1961, old secrets are revealed. A town that has questions and anger about the past. Wrongful accusations, families with secrets and a powerful family that will do anything to stay in control. The story is very detailed and probably could have been told more efficiently, but overall it is a really good story! The multilayered story lines keep the reader involved and invested in the outcome of the story. I also listened to the audio version and it was so well narrated! #thegodofthewoods #lizmoore #thrillingdrama #layeredmystery #multithreadedsecrets

Seamlessly weaves through time and emotion -

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Angie Allen
August 31, 2024

The Story is so brilliantly organized; unfolding at a perfect pace, introducing characters and heartache and subtle information with each chapter. Family dramas can sometimes be a little over the top, but this one was very well done and not unnecessarily dramatic. I desperately longed to know what happened to Bear Van Laar (almost more so than the present worry of Barbara’s disappearance), and Moore does a masterful job of moving through the story and making nearly every possible person seem suspicious, writing characters so self-centered you hope for their comeuppance. A heartbreaking but powerful story of family (both those we’re born into and those we find), and what it means to be loved and accepted.