Exploring Secrets and Shadows in The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
book blurb
Set in the eerie and insular world of a 1970s Adirondack summer camp, The God of the Woods by Liz Moore follows Barbara Van Laar, a 13-year-old who mysteriously vanishes from her family’s camp, echoing the tragic disappearance of her older brother, Bear, fourteen years prior. As tensions simmer between the wealthy Van Laars and the working-class locals, secrets unfold, weaving a web of betrayal, class conflicts, and family legacies that impact everyone connected to the camp. Moore’s novel explores how one family’s history shapes the lives of many, all while building suspense with every chapter.
“Panic… 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.” This line is like a thesis for the whole novel—there’s a constant sense of something just out of reach, an elusive truth.”
review
If you're drawn to character-driven mysteries with a historical twist, The God of the Woods is an unforgettable ride. The writing pulled me in with ease—Liz Moore’s prose had me up late, flipping pages long past my bedtime. The suspense builds as Moore reveals the lives intertwined by the summer camp’s dark past, moving through multiple perspectives and timelines with precision. Her nuanced approach to complex issues like class disparity and gender roles of the 1970s adds depth, making it more than just a mystery.
About halfway through, though, I did find the pacing slowing down a bit, and some readers (myself included) started to feel a little wary of where the ending might land. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll just say that the resolution doesn’t answer every question. Still, the complex relationships and richly drawn characters make it worth the journey. My rating? A solid 3.5 out of 4—a must-read if you’re craving a novel that balances intrigue with social commentary.
“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.”
A Note For Book Clubs
If you’re part of a book club, you’re in for a treat with The God of the Woods. The novel has already received love from Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show Book Club, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a book that lends itself to discussion on themes of privilege, survival, and the limits of self-reliance.
There’s so much to explore here—the complex family dynamics, the changing societal roles, and the weight of secrets held for generations. Whether you loved it or found parts challenging, The God of the Woods offers a lot to think about and even more to talk about.
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