- My Rating: 5/5
- Goodreads Rating: 4.11/5
- Year Published: 2024
- Page Count: 478
“Her voice, it seemed, had been continuously decrescendoing since birth, so that by age twelve, she could scarcely be heard.”
Synopsis
When Barbara Van Laar disappears from her cabin, a sense of deja vu spreads over her summer camp. Bear Van Laar, Barbara’s older brother, vanished much the same way fourteen years ago and was never seen again. Barbara’s wealthy family owns the camp and immediately, a search begins. In this exhilarating search for the missing Van Laar child, secrets run untamed, lies spread like fire, and the woods seem to come alive with a score to settle.
Told in eight different perspectives, The God of the Woods is a thrilling mystery that you won’t be able to put down. Moore’s prose is outstanding. Be prepared to delve into a world that is so tangible, you’ll be gasping at the shocks and shrieking at the twists.
The Quick Review (Spoiler-free)
This was one of the most exciting, enthralling novels I’ve read in a long time. The setting, the characters, the plot–it was all amazing. That said, the multiple perspectives took me a minute to adjust to. It was confusing at first who was who and keeping it all straight in my mind. I do think Moore’s ability to maintain the sense of mystery through eight varied perspectives was extremely impressive and ultimately served the novel well.
The themes explored by Moore were profound yet not overly explicit: the freedom money provides you and the cage it ultimately forms, the lengths to which people will go to save their reputation, what it means to be a woman in a man’s world/to be a child in an adult’s world/to be too large for a small world, and how it feels when you’re unable to trust your own mind or sense of self. This is a mystery about a missing child–but more than that, it’s a story about self-discovery, coming of age, and trust. I highly recommend to anyone who enjoys mysteries (and anyone who doesn’t, honestly!).
“She sat down next to him, lowering herself toward the earth. Until that summer, she had never felt at home in the house of her body.”
The Long Review (Spoilers marked)
Likes
The tone set by Moore’s writing was impeccable. It was mysterious and satisfying–this book is meant to be read curled up on the couch while it rains outside. The mystery was perfectly crafted. Plot twists were entertaining and exciting, somehow both unpredictable and immaculately foreshadowed. The multiple perspectives worked well, with each character having such a distinct voice I think I could have guessed the chapter’s perspective with only a few lines from it. The perspectives served to represent every part of the town’s varied population, from the poorer blue-collar workers to the obnoxiously rich.
The character arcs were strong. I loved watching each character grow and change to become strong individuals. My favorite perspective was Judyta–her humor, intensity, and drive made me excited for every page.
“And then she drifts, in a dream, toward the room that used to be a nursery. Another nonsecular space. I’m here now, she says. I’m here. She listens, awaiting his reply.“
Dislikes
My only dislike involved the first few chapters when I was a little overwhelmed with the many perspectives and characters to keep straight. However, that quickly became my favorite part of the book. I actually have no other critiques!
Themes
The themes of this novel were heavy. From the corrupting nature of money (and the things people will do to avoid losing it) to referencing every kind of inequality (gender, economic, racial, body size), it felt like there was always something to talk about. Self-doubt is rampant in this book, but so is the slow development of confidence. Seriously, The God of the Woods covers everything. The grief of losing a child, the turmoil of family, what it means to have freedom, how rumors can ruin someone’s life, rebelling against parents…. Moore does it all without stopping to take a breath, and the result is a book I’ll treasure for the rest of my life.
“From the wall, she watched them quietly, fondly, recalling what it was like to be in this moment of life that was like a breath before speech, a last sweet pause before some great unveiling.”
Would I recommend?
I would highly recommend this book. If you like mystery or just enjoy good books, you’ll love this. I can’t imagine a type of person who would dislike this book. It’s a masterpiece!
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