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| Categories | Genre Fiction |
| Author | Liz Moore |
| Publisher | Random House Large Print; Large type / Large print edition (July 2, 2024) |
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 704 pages |
| Item Weight | 2.31 pounds |
| Dimensions |
6.03 x 1.19 x 9.19 inches |
I. Book introduction
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore is a gripping thriller about the mysterious disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar from a summer camp in the Adirondacks in 1975. As the investigation unfolds, family secrets and class tensions come to light. With a fast-paced plot, compelling characters, and an eerie atmosphere, this is a must-read novel.
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.
About the Author (Liz Moore)
Liz Moore (born May 25, 1983) is an American author. After a brief time as a musician in New York City, which inspired her first novel, Moore shifted her focus to writing. She received the 2015 Rome Prize in Literature from the American Academy in Rome, and her novel 2012 Heft was longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
Liz Moore teaches in the MFA program at Temple University in Philadelphia.
Moore’s novel The God of the Woods was selected as the Barnes & Noble Book Club pick in July 2024. It went on to be shortlisted for the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year award. It was also featured as a Book of the Month pick in its initial month of publication.
II. Reviewer: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
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1. MEREDITH reviews for The God of the Woods
The God of the Woods is a quiet mystery/drama about the disappearance of a 13-year-old girl at a summer camp in 1975.
Barbara Van Laar, the daughter of the prominent Van Laar family of Albany, New York, disappeared from her cabin one morning in a summer camp founded by her family. In connection with her disappearance, her counselor, Louise, her bunkmate, Tracy, her mother, Alice, and a young female detective, Judyta, share their stories. All are flawed, honest, and complex characters; each of their stories is impactful.
The plot slowly unfolds. Piece by piece, bits of the lives of the main characters intersect, coming together in profound ways. The timeline is non-linear, alternating between the past in the 1950s and the present in the 1970s; the non-linearity adds to the drama and trauma of searching for a missing child.
This is a rich, multilayered novel with multidimensional characters. Through exceptional characterization, especially the women, themes of motherhood, gender roles, sexuality, identity, and class are explored.
The setting is lush and vibrant, especially in the scenes in the woods surrounding Camp Emerson.
I could visualize the characters, the setting, the house named Self-Reliance, the camp, nature, and the fine details. Moore didn’t just write a novel that takes place in the 1970s, she transports her reader to this time and place. There are a few flaws, but this novel is exquisitely written and emotionally impactful. My heart shattered as the events culminated in a tragically sad and painful revelation.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Group Riverhead in exchange for an honest review.
2. CHRIS reviews for The God of the Woods
“The God of the Woods” has to be among the smartest, surprising, most literate mysteries I’ve read in a while. The setting is an Adirondack summer camp in the 1960s and 1970s, and not one but two children of monied New York State royalty disappear there: a boy in 1961 and a girl in 1975. Part police procedural — and what a great cop Liz Moore has given us, a smart young woman whom the old male detectives don’t take seriously — and part character study of a wealthy family with an awful lot of skeletons in their rambling, walk-in closets, I really did stay up one until two in the morning to finish this treasure of a tale. And because I am writing this on the last day of the Olympics, let me add: wowza, does Moore stick the landing.
3. MICHELLE reviews for The God of the Woods
In the summer of 1975, at Camp Emerson in the Adirondack Mountains of New York, 13 year old Barbara Van Laar vanishes from her cabin.
Her family, The Van Laars, are a family of wealth via banking in New York City. They started the camp and have a residence that overlooks the property.
Fourteen years earlier the Van Laars 8 year old son, Bear, also vanished from the camp and was never found again.
Is it a coincidence or is something more sinister at play? You’ll have to read this to find out!
Well, color me impressed. This is my first Liz Moore book, an author I’ve heard praised time and time again over the years, and now I can understand all the adoration she receives. This book not only moved me emotionally it transported me to Camp Emerson in 1975. The woods, the birdsong, the smell of rainfall – the atmosphere was so rich that I felt I was walking the same grounds as the characters.
Over the years I’ve grown tired of missing children stories that fall in the psych thriller genre due to the over the top denouements many of them have. Like really, you did all this, for that??? This book is not a psych thriller by any means. It’s a literary mystery that meanders through time and while the pacing is slow it’s always intriguing.
This book has a lot of characters and many time jumps, two things that I sometimes struggle with, but never once did I get confused reading this. The chapters consist of:
1950s | 1962 | Winter 1973 | June 1975 | July 1975 | August 1975 / Day 1 / Day 2 / Day 3 etc.
That may look a little intimidating but she weaves the timelines flawlessly. And let me tell you that each chapter, no matter where you are in the timeline, is just as riveting as the next one. I could not put this book down. My need for answers took precedent over everything else. I’m so glad to have picked this up at a time when I could devote my complete attention to it.
So let it be known that I am now a full-fledged Liz Moore fan and this book is one that I will proudly place on my Favorites of 2024 shelf. Highest recommendation. ALL. THE. STARS!!!!
Thanks to Overdrive for the loan!
4. LYNNE M. SPREEN reviews for The God of the Woods
Very well written; captivating.
I enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was filled with great characters, all distinct and having depth, struggling in their normal lives as tragedy and scandal affect their rustic small town. This was an exploration of the corruption of great wealth, and the tenacity of regular folks. An amazing story.
5. TRACY reviews for The God of the Woods
A Masterly Crafted, Well-Written Whodunnit
The God of the Woods lives up to the hype. It’s a masterfully crafted, well-written whodunnit filled with well laid out clues and cleverly placed red herrings.
The answers are all there, it’s just a matter of putting the pieces together. I’m usually good at figuring out ‘who did it,’ but not in this case. When all is revealed you’re like “Duh, of course! Why didn’t I put that together?” At least it’s was that way for me.
Be forewarned that this is not a happy book. It involves missing children and the majority of the characters are unlikeable, but you cheer for the likable ones. That being said, you need to know what happens so you keep guessing and turning those pages.
I was the only one in my book club that gave it five stars most others gave it four with a few threes thrown in, because they didn’t like the ending. I, however, thought both conclusions were fitting and made sense given everything we learned. The God of the Woods is a good choice for a buddy read or a book club, because you want to talk about it when you finish it.
6. DUTCH reviews for The God of the Woods
Excellent read
“The Gods of the Woods” is an enchanting book that transports readers to a mystical, verdant forest where nature’s beauty and secrets come to life. The author’s rich descriptions and captivating storytelling weave an immersive experience, making the woods feel alive and magical. With its memorable characters and intriguing plot, this novel is a delightful escape into a world of wonder and adventure. Highly recommended for those who love fantasy and nature-inspired tales!
7. MIK reviews for The God of the Woods
A little slow but, worth the wait!
This is a veryyyyy slow burn. Don’t read if you do not have attention to detail. I also loved the different POV from 3rd person. The timeline and the map adds to the descriptiveness. I love how some parts of the story makes NO sense at first, until I get to100 pages later then- BAM something connects and now hairs are standing on my arms. Usually that happens with really great movies or series. I love how the story takes place before I was born yet, it’s still very relatable. No matter the age, anyone can connect to this story. One of my favorite reads in years!
8. LINDSAY L reviews for The God of the Woods
4.5 stars!
2024 Favourites List! 🏆
A compelling slow burn mystery.
The thirteen-year-old daughter of a wealthy family goes missing causing an old family tragedy to resurface.
This book is beautifully written. The prose is exquisitely detailed and had me engrossed in every element — the characters, the scenery, the mystery itself. The pace is slow, but it is intended that way and gives the reader time to contemplate alongside the characters.
The storyline is multilayered – with its characters in multiple timelines, two family tragedies being examined, secrets from the past and present. I can’t imagine how long it would have taken the author to weave these narratives together in such a compelling and clever way – it was brilliantly executed.
This book won’t be for everyone. It’s a slow burn and is heavily detailed with plenty of characters in multiple timelines. It is not one to be read quickly here and there, it’s best to dedicate time to truly appreciate the beautiful writing. I would compare the writing to Kate Morton in the sense that there is a lot of descriptive detail, which for me, makes it all the more enjoyable. However, I can understand how this would be too much for other readers who may get lost in the writing.
When I finished this book I immediately rated it 5 stars. However, after thinking on it a few days, the ending bothered me and I found myself questioning the conclusion. The book as a whole was excellent, and I loved the reading experience. However, the more I think about the ending, the more it doesn’t make sense (to me) and feels like a let down after how fantastic the rest of the novel was. There were plenty of other options the author could have taken and this particular ending didn’t work for me which made me take away half a star.
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable reading experience that I highly recommend, even though I didn’t love the ending.
9. FERN reviews for The God of the Woods
SO GOOD. I was intimated to start this one due to the length and amount of POV’s/timelines. But the alternating POV’s and timelines is what made this such a compulsive read. It created so much tension and mystery. I genuinely struggled to put this book down as I just had to get to the end to find out what the heck was going on. This reads like a movie, I felt like I could perfectly picture everything in my mind. And the characters felt sooo real. Definitely keen to check out more of Liz Moores books. Incredibly done!!
10. JESSE reviews for The God of the Woods
Not my usual genre, but I’m glad I branched out on this one. A murder mystery wrapped in a family drama set at a kids’ summer camp.
We follow a cast of interesting characters: the camp counselors, the investigators, the Hewitts, but mostly focusing on the Van Laar family. A wealthy New York family that thinks the rules don’t particularly apply to them. Fourteen years ago, their son, Bear, went missing on the preserve and summer camp that they run. Now, fourteen years later, their daughter, Barbara, has gone missing too.
The story unravels as we meander from character to character, from timeline to timeline in no particular hurry. Books that bounce back and forth as much as this one are always a little hard to get a grasp on at first. The first third of the book you feel a little lost, but by the end, it all comes together and makes sense.
III. The God of the Woods Quotes by Liz Moore
The best book quotes from The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
“Rich people, thought Judy—she thought this then, and she thinks it now—generally become most enraged when they sense they’re about to be held accountable for their wrongs.”
“It was funny, she thought, how many relationships one could have with the same man, over the course of a lifetime together.”
“This is one of the few sheer pleasures Louise knows in life: the near-otherworldly feeling of touching another human’s body with your own body in a way that, for the first time, transcends mere friendliness. These are the times in her life that Louise has felt most acutely the animal nature of her humanity, and therefore they have been the most comforting. To be a human is complex, and often painful; to be an animal is comfortingly simple and good.”
“For knowing too much, rather than too little. For a woman, neither was an acceptable way to be.”
“Kissing someone – someone you want to kiss, I mean – is like living inside the best song you ever heard. It’s the same feeling.”
“We can do as we please, if we only learn not to care so much about what people think.”
“Panic,’ said T.J. But no one raised a hand.
She explained. It came from the Greek god Pan: the god of the woods. He liked to trick people, to confuse and disorient them until they lost their bearings, and their minds.”“How many times in her life has she said yes to a boy or a man just because it was the easiest thing to do? How many times has she let a man take what he wanted, instead of taking something for herself?”
“It was wonderful, thought Tracy, having friends like these, who seemed to see the parts of yourself you worked hardest to hide, and bring them into the light and celebrate them with a sort of tender ribbing that uplifted more than it put down.”
“Being humorless, she thought, was even worse than being dumb.”
“Her voice, it seemed, had been continuously decrescendoing since birth, so that by age twelve, she could scarcely be heard.”
“Usually, she was gifted in the art of shutting up. Not today.”
“Do you ever worry that being born into money has stunted us?” Alice blanched. “I don’t mean anything by it,” said Delphine. “It’s just—lately I’ve been wondering whether having all of our material needs met from birth has been a positive aspect of our lives. It seems to me it may have resulted in some absence of yearning or striving in us. The quest, I like to call it. When one’s parents or grandparents have already quested and conquered, what is there for subsequent generations to do?”
“But the quickest way to make an attractive man ugly was to give him too much to drink.”
“Listen,” said Delphine. “The best part of being married to George Barlow for a decade was learning that it’s all right not to do everything that’s expected of you all of the time. This is a notion that has been positively liberating for me. The way we were raised—the way our parents raised us, I mean—it trained us to think it’s our job to be absolutely correct in everything that we do. But it isn’t, Bunny. Do you see? We can have our own thoughts, our own inner lives. We can do as we please, if we only learn not to care so much about what people think.”
“Her father once told her casually that she was built like a plum on toothpicks, and the phrase was at once so cruel and so poetic that it clicked into place around her like a harness. • • •”
“For a bonus, she asked them: Who knew the origins of the word? “Which word?” someone said. “Panic,” said T.J. But no one raised a hand. She explained. It came from the Greek god Pan: the god of the woods. He liked to trick people, to confuse and disorient them until they lost their bearings, and their minds. To panic, said T.J., was to make an enemy of the forest. To stay calm was to be its friend.”
“Later on, the ten seconds that pass between sight and inference will serve to her as evidence that time is a human construct, that it can slow or accelerate in the presence of emotion, of chemicals in the blood.”
“It’s the Van Laars, and families like them, who have always depended on others.”
“ever notice how the children of rich people are never as smart as the parents? Never as ambitious, never as successful? You gotta have something to strive for in life.”
“To panic, said T.J., was to make an enemy of the forest. To stay calm was to be its friend.”
“A certain energy was appreciable in the air: it was the energy of teenage hormones, of sidelong glances, a taking note of who had changed over the past year, and in what ways. It wasn’t just the campers, but the counselors, too. All over, they were sidling toward one another, whispering in each other’s ears, making gestures Tracy could not understand. Each one of them, she would learn, was a celebrity in his or her way; campers strove earnestly to learn facts about them, about their home lives and romantic prospects and heartbreaks; these facts were then traded eagerly as whispers in the dark.”
“But the quickest way to make an attractive man ugly was to give him too much to drink. Drunk men frightened her. She had learned young how to coddle them, how to laugh just enough at their bad jokes to prevent them from feeling insulted, but not so much that her laughter egged them on. Coiled just below a surface of good humor lay their strength and their meanness, two guns waiting to go off.”
“There was a particular brand of humor employed by twelve- and thirteen-year-old girls, especially when they weren’t in the presence of boys: it was at once disgusting and innocent, bawdy and naive. When it wasn’t being used for ill—when no one was its target—this type of humor delighted Louise. 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.”
“But at nearly thirteen, Tracy swings wildly between self-abasement and overconfidence. There is no middle ground.”
“She wasn’t – frightened of him, exactly, though there had been one or two incidents that caused alarm. It was more that she had come to see herself nearly exclusively through his eyes, and therefore being in his good graces was the easiest way to achieve a sense of well-being.”
“What she thought about most in the world in those days was Bear, and her all-consuming love for him. She sometimes felt that becoming a parent had revealed to her the existence of another dimension or another sense.”
“she also believed that part of a mother’s duty was to be her daughter’s first, best critic; to fortify her during her childhood, so that in womanhood she could gracefully withstand any assault or insult launched in her direction. This was the method her own mother had used upon her. She hadn’t liked it at the time, but now she understood it.”
“But nobody asked her, and so she kept these wishes quiet, writing them only in journals, summoning them to the forefront of her mind whenever a birthday or a well or a star presented her with a formal opportunity to make them known to the universe.”
Excerpted from The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
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