Book: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

A Haunting Mystery of Family Secrets and Lost Innocence

I was on the road all last week, travelling by many trains and buses, in other words, perfect settings for reading a book. I picked up and read Liz Moore’s The God of the Woods an evocative and haunting novel that dives deep into the mysteries of family secrets and societal roles in a small, insular Adirondack community. Set against the lush backdrop of a 1970s summer camp, Moore weaves a compelling tale about the disappearance of thirteen-year-old Barbara Van Laar. As the story unfolds, we learn that Barbara’s family has already faced a similar tragedy, with her older brother’s mysterious vanishing years earlier.

The strength of this book lies in its rich characterization, particularly the complex and flawed women who narrate the story. Through the perspectives of Barbara’s counsellor Louise, her bunkmate Tracy, her mother Alice, and the young detective Judyta, we gain insight into the various layers of trauma, identity, and the weight of expectations placed on women in different roles—whether as mothers, daughters, or authority figures. Moore captures the intricacies of gender roles, sexuality, and class struggles with empathy and subtlety, making the emotional impact of the novel profound.

While the non-linear timeline between the 1950s and 1970s adds suspense and depth to the narrative, it can at times make the pacing feel slower than expected, but the reward is in the deliberate unravelling of secrets. The lush descriptions of the camp and its surroundings transport the reader, adding a tangible sense of time and place. The final revelation, while heartbreaking, serves as a powerful culmination of the story’s emotional threads.

Despite a few minor flaws, The God of the Woods stands as a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel, its characters and setting lingering long after the last page. It’s a quiet mystery with a tragic heart, one that readers of literary dramas will appreciate.