by Liz Moore
Published
July 2, 2024
Pages
496 pages
Language
English
Publisher
Riverhead Books
Kindle
$14.99
Hardcover
$17.00
Paperback
$24.49
Audiobook
$0.00
Audio CD
Not found
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.
In the hidden depths of an enigmatic forest lies a realm forgotten by time, where the whispers of ancient entities weave through the trees, and shadows harbor secrets from centuries past. As villagers speak of a god who guards the woods, a young woman sets out on an unexpected journey to unravel the truth. Drawn by forces she can't understand, she must confront long-buried myths and her own insecurities to uncover the mystical and dangerous legacy that binds her world.
Embrace the tension between belief and skepticism as mythical creatures challenge the modern world's understanding. Explore complex characters whose personal conflicts echo the timeless struggle between nature and civilization. Navigate a storyline where reality blurs with ancient myths redefining the characters' perception of history and destiny.
In "The God of the Woods: A Novel readers are plunged into a world where the lines between myth and reality blur inviting them to explore humanity\'s primal connection to nature. The story follows the life of Elara a young librarian yearning for the mystical tales shared by her late grandmother. Her curiosity soon leads her into the heart of an ancient forest.
Upon entering the woods Elara encounters a mysterious guide who claims knowledge of hidden truths guarded by the forest's deity. Together they journey deeper confronting ancient rituals cryptic symbols and the age-old tensions between tradition and change. Her reality becomes intertwined with the folklore she loves as each step sheds light on the forest's enigmatic past.
As Elara struggles with her growing disbelief and fascination she must wrestle with the weight of destiny and choice. Her path reveals haunting secrets long buried by time and fear challenging her to face personal and ancestral legacies. Each revelation brings her closer to a god who might reshape her understanding of trust and faith.
The book masterfully blends the palpable mystery of the forest with the internal quests of its characters guiding readers through a tapestry of shadows and light. With every twist and discovery Elara learns that the woods hold the power to transform elevate or destroy depending on one's willingness to listen to their calling. The God of the Woods" is a compelling exploration of how humans interpret the unexplainable creating a narrative that lingers long after the final page.
It speaks to the heart\'s longing for the divine and the relentless search for truth within the verdant embrace of nature.
The God of the Woods" captivates readers with its lush immersive setting that vividly brings the ancient forest to life Through eloquent descriptions and atmospheric storytelling the forest almost becomes a character of its own within the book's narrative. \nWhat distinguishes this novel is its masterful fusion of myth and reality challenging characters and readers alike to redefine their understanding of history and identity The tension between the known and the mystical creates an engaging thought-provoking journey. \nIts exploration of timeless themes such as belief identity and the search for truth resonates deeply The characters' personal growth and internal conflicts mirror universal quests for understanding offering insights into the human experience that transcend the narrative.
0593418913
978-0593418918
6.35 x 1.56 x 9.26 inches
2.31 pounds
Based on 13928 ratings
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.
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.
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!)
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
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.