Unraveling the Mystery of the Woods: The God of the Woods and Vanished Summers
Forest Deity's Rule in the Decade of Wild, Uninhibited Freedom
A child disappearing into the forests, never to be found. The tranquility of a family shattered, just like fifteen years ago when the same fate befell the Van Laar family. The question lingers - are these two events connected, or are we dealing with two separate tragedies?
How does a novel wind up on a president's reading list? In the case of Barack Obama, a book needs to delve into an American narrative, entwined with wild natural elements. Having already boosted several books to the bestseller charts through his annual reading highlights, another book that shares the same blend of American wilderness and intricate human drama is "The God of the Woods" by Liz Moore, a novel that earned its spot on the list due to its gripping storyline and American themes.
The Van Laar family dwells on an enchanting lakeside estate nestled at the base of the Adirondacks, a forest-covered mountain range in the state of New York. The family seizes control of the town, raises their offspring, and governs the summer camp they established on the lake, reveling in their wealth and the transgressions common within their social sphere. However, the idyllic existence is short-lived, as their eldest son, Bear, a mere eight-year-old boy, abruptly vanishes into the woods and is never to be found.
Fast-forward fifteen years, and the family finds itself once more swallowed by tragedy. Barbara, Bear's sister, has vanished from the summer camp. The children at the camp suspiciously point their fingers at Jakob Sluiter, the serial killer believed to be at large. Detective Judyta, on the other hand, suspects Bernard Van Laar, the overbearing grandfather, who was unhelpful during the initial investigation of Bear's disappearance. Then there's Alice, the grieving mother, drugged and blurry, yearning to recollect any crucial detail that could unravel the mystery of Barbara and Bear's disappearances.
"The God of the Woods" might be categorized as a crime novel in the traditional sense. However, the story unfolds across various time periods and without the presence of a central investigative figure. Instead, the novel delves into the world of the Van Laars and the summer camp in the nature reserve by exploring several perspectives and illuminating their tangled lives. It shies away from dramatic violence or excessive bloodshed, opting for a more subtle approach to create tension and unease. The British "Guardian" aptly labeled the book a "literary thriller" in which the eerie forested mountains and the dominating family compete in generating suspense.
Alternatively, one could argue that the Adirondacks, the looming mountain range covered in dense forests, is the book's actual protagonist. The story could also revolve around twelve-year-old Tracy, who lost her one companion that fateful night, or Alice Van Laar, or the counselor Louise, whose volatile boyfriend was prowling in the woods that night. The children at the camp are repeatedly warned about the wildness and hostility of the surrounding area, cautioned against getting lost, urged to scream if frightened, and advised against swimming alone in the lake. The Adirondacks are notoriously treacherous and perilous, frighteningly vast, and all too easy to get lost in.
Without a doubt, Liz Moore challenges the idyllic image of the 1970s, a period often romanticized as simpler times, where children were free to roam the woods and adults lived it up without a care at wild parties. In "God of the Woods," nature is portrayed as a force of chaos and violence, hindering the investigation into the Van Laar children's disappearances, though its role remains ambiguous for quite some time.
If you're struggling with German translations and would prefer reading in English, rest assured, "God of the Woods" can still offer you an engrossing experience. Cornelius Hartz orchestrated a thoughtful and unpretentious translation of the nearly 600-page novel, deftly managing the challenge of navigating three different time periods, a vast cast of characters, and several generations of men named Peter Van Laar. Hartz's elegant translation encapsulates the thoughts and emotions of 12-year-old Tracy as well as those of 60-year-old ranger Carl, making the novel a delightful read even for those unfamiliar with the original language.
Liz Moore's novel will satisfy even the most discerning of readers, whether they are presidents or not. Moore skillfully weaves together captivating elements of mystery, drama, and the raw beauty of the wilderness in a tragic tale that will resonate long after the last page is turned.
Missing Persons
Forest
USA
Crime
Thriller
♪ The Van Laar family, known for their outdoor-living lifestyle, reside on a picturesque lakeside estate nestled amidst the Adirondacks, a forest-covered mountain range in New York. ♪ Life at the family's home-and-garden blossoms with wealth and summers filled with laughter, but the tranquility is shattered by vanished summers as two of their children, Bear and later Barbara, mysteriously disappear into the forest, leaving only their echoes behind ♪.
