The God of the Woods
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I’ve been staring at my Goodreads page for quite a while now, as I don’t even know how to begin this review. Was I looking forward to reading this book? Absolutely yes, as I loved the author’s previous book “Long Bright River”, which is one of my top favorite reads of all time. And if I’m being honest, I thought this would be my second favorite read yet again, but something happened towards the ending of this book that has left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. Was it the length of this book at 476 pages- which in my opinion, this book seemed to drag on quite a bit. Or was it the underwhelming conclusion? I’m not sure. This story starts off in August, 1975, when Barbara Van Laar has gone missing. From there a frantic search sets off from the camp counselors at Camp Emerson, where Barbara has been a camper for the summer. This isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has gone missing. Just fourteen years prior, Barbara’s brother Bear disappeared from the same region. How can this be possible? And will these two children ever be found? From Barbara’s disappearance comes many POV’s. The POV’s that gripped me emotionally and resonated with me most were that of Louise, the camp counselor and Alice, who is Barbara and Bear’s mother. I felt like I personally knew all the characters in this book, and I felt as if I was there with them throughout the years. This story takes place between the 1950’s and 1975, and the timeline and character shifts are done flawlessly and seamlessly. This is a slower paced book with a phenomenal character study (in fact, I can’t think of a better one). We even have a bit of a police procedural/investigation that takes place with a new female investigator of Judyta in the lead. While all this held my interest and kept me emotionally invested in the characters, I unfortunately was still ready for this book to be over with about 75% of the way in. At this point it seemed to be dragging on, and as I stated above, the ending left me very underwhelmed. All in all, this is a very good read- but for me personally, it didn’t deliver the five star, favorite book of the year I was hoping for. (3.5 stars- rounded up) BOTM- July, 2024

Liz Moore is equally compassionate about all of her characters, even the worst behaved, in this slow burn of a book. As in all her novels, she creates a deft, complex plot that weaves its way around her vivid setting. Moore consistently explores traumatic childhoods, addiction, crime, and the class system. GOTW takes place at a nature preserve that is portioned to serve as the home of wealthy families and their caretakers in the Adirondacks, as well as a summer camp for youth. The action happens between 1951 and 1975; the chapters alternate back and forth non-linearly between a storied cast and two storylines. In 1961, the beloved “Bear”— eight-year-old son of wealthy Peter and Alice Van Laar, goes missing on a hike. Fourteen years later, their teenage daughter, Barbara, disappears from the Preserve’s Camp Emerson. Moore combines a police procedural with a character study, amid a stark portrait of a community and the overlap of personal lives with work. Crime and character blend beautifully together. Especially engaging is Judyta (Judy), recently promoted from State Trooper to Investigator. If you’re old enough to recall the seventies, you’ll recognize what it was like for women trying to make it in a profession dominated by men. Judy was forced to balance her ambition and desire with her second-class status as female. T.J., the caretaker’s daughter, is an enigmatic woman who is now the camp Director. Friend or foe? Villain or hero---or anti-hero? Several layers there to unwrap. Most of the men in this novel are cretins, with a few exceptions. Alice, the mother of Bear and Barbara, and the wife of Peter Van Laar, is an alcoholic. After the disappearance of Bear, her life collapsed. Husband Peter is either at work, or detached from her at home. It is not surprising, as she was raised by an aloof mother who criticized and nagged her relentlessly. Peter treated his children as commodities, while Bear was Alice’s whole reason for being. Alice remains distant to Barbara, who mostly fends for herself. The fearless teen couldn’t wait until the start of her first year at camp. She befriends Tracy, a usually sullen and reclusive girl who gradually flourishes once Barbara befriends her. If you’re a Liz Moore fan, you already know that each of her novels are completely different stories, yet with ongoing themes of family and toxicity. The narrative abounds with loneliness, misogyny (especially in the 1970s!), detective work, and substances as a coping mechanism. Moore attends to her story with empathy and nuance, and she knows her era. No anachronisms, either! Her time period is spot-on. And it isn’t pop-cultured or gimmicky. It’s a finely wrought plot that centers on nature, nurture, community and individuals searching for connection. The author’s rendering of the privileged v. blue-collar is done with attentive care. A dynamic must-read for Liz Moore fans and literary fiction lovers alike. A huge thanks to Riverhead for sending me a copy to read and review.