The God of the Woods is a historical fiction and mystery novel set in the 1970s, written by New York Times bestselling author Liz Moore. The story revolves around a summer camp in the Adirondacks and the mysterious disappearance of Barbara Van Laar, the teenage daughter of the camp’s directors. As panic spreads through the camp, Barbara’s disappearance unearths long-buried secrets, including the unresolved vanishing of her older brother, Bear, 14 years earlier.
Plot: Barbara Van Laar: The 13-year-old daughter of the camp owners disappears from her bunk one night, setting off a frantic search. Barbara’s absence is particularly alarming because it’s not the first tragedy to strike her family.
Bear Van Laar: Barbara’s older brother disappeared under mysterious circumstances more than a decade earlier, and his absence still looms over the family.
As the story unfolds, the search for Barbara reveals hidden truths about the camp’s history, its inhabitants, and the Van Laar family. Narrated through multiple perspectives and timelines, the book explores the intersections of family drama, social expectations, and personal loss.
Themes:
Dual Mysteries: The novel presents two intertwined disappearances, exploring their emotional and social repercussions.
Atmospheric Setting: The wilderness camp serves as an evocative backdrop, reflecting the tension and isolation in the story.
Family Dynamics: The Van Laar family’s struggles highlight themes of love, responsibility, and unresolved grief.
Societal Expectations: Through the 1970s lens, the book delves into class divisions, gender roles, and traditional family dynamics.
Personal Reflection: I know there was a lot of hype about this book, but I am going to always keep it real with you, dear readers. I had a hard time getting invested in this book. Yes, there were moments of mystery, and the 1970s setting did sometimes make me nostalgic. (I hope I am not aging myself with this comment!) However, I honestly could not connect with the characters.
That being said, if you’re someone who appreciates atmospheric descriptions of the Adirondacks that make the setting feel alive or you’re drawn to exploring the emotional depth of family dynamics, then this could be the story for you.
