04 October 2024
The God Of The Woods Review And Book Club Questions
Reviewed by: Melissa Ng
Quick Facts
Book Publication Date: 2 July 2024
How I Read It: Borrowed from my local library
Where You Can Find The God Of The Woods By Liz Moore: Amazon Australia* | Kobo US* | Kobo Canada*
Content & Trigger Warnings: Domestic violence, child death, alcoholism, cheating
The God Of The Woods Summary
The God of the Woods begins in August 1975 at Camp Emerson, a summer camp owned by the wealthy Van Laar family.
When 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar is discovered missing from her bunk, it sets off a frantic search. But this isn’t the first time the Van Laar family has faced tragedy — Barbara’s older brother, Bear, vanished fourteen years earlier, and no trace of him was ever found.
As the story unfolds across multiple timelines, we learn about the tangled secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar workers who live in their shadow.
From Bear’s disappearance in 1961 to the events at Camp Emerson in 1975, The God of the Woods explores the complex relationships, hidden truths, and power dynamics that shape the characters’ lives.
The investigation into Barbara’s disappearance uncovers long-buried secrets, including the involvement of a convicted serial killer who was seen near the camp both during Bear’s disappearance and after Barbara went missing.
As the mystery deepens, readers are taken on a journey through the Van Laar family’s history and the dark underbelly of this seemingly idyllic summer camp.
The God Of The Woods Timeline
The story jumps back and forth between different periods. Here’s a breakdown to help you keep track:
- 1950s: Alice and Peter Van Laar III meet, and their son, Bear, is born.
- 1961: Bear, aged 8, goes missing.
- 1962: Barbara Van Laar is born, following Bear’s disappearance.
- Winter 1973: Louise Donnadieu and John Paul McLellan Jr. have a significant altercation.
- June 1975: The summer camp season at Camp Emerson begins.
- July 1975: The camp hosts a survival trip.
- August 1975: Barbara Van Laar disappears from Camp Emerson, triggering a search and investigation.
The God Of The Woods Characters
There are a tonne of characters to keep track of, across multiple timelines. Here’s a handy list of the “main” characters you’ll need to know.
- Alice Van Laar: Mother of Bear and Barbara, and wife of Peter Van Laar III.
- Barbara Van Laar: The 13-year old daughter of the Van Laar family, who goes missing from Camp Emerson in August 1975.
- Captain LaRochelle: Lead Investigator looking into Barbara’s disappearance, who also investigated Bear’s case as a Lieutenant.
- Carl Stoddard: A gardener at the Van Laar Preserve and a volunteer at the fire brigade in 1961. He was convicted of Bear’s death.
- Delphine: Alice Van Laar’s sister.
- Denny Hayes: Senior Investigator working on the case of Barbara’s disappearance.
- Jacob Sluiter: A convicted serial killer who escaped prison near Camp Emerson in June 1975.
- Jesse Donnadieu: Louise’s younger brother.
- John Paul McLellan Jr.: A family friend of the Van Larr family and fiancé to Louise Donnadieu.
- Judyta Luptack: Investigator assigned to the case of Barbara’s disappearance.
- Lee Towson: A prep chef and dishwasher at Camp Emerson in 1975.
- Louise Donnadieu: A counsellor at Camp Emerson in 1975, responsible for Barbara’s cabin.
- Peter Van Larr II: The grandfather of Bear and Barbara, and father of Peter III. He is part of the wealthy Van Laar family.
- Peter Van Larr III: Father of Bear and Barbara, and Alice’s husband. He is part of the wealthy Van Laar family.
- Peter Van Larr IV (Bear): Son of Peter III and Alice, and brother to Barbara, who goes missing at the age of 8.
- Tessie Jo (T.J.) Hewitt: Camp Director in 1975, daughter of Victor Hewitt, and childhood friend of Bear.
- Tracy Jewell: Barbara’s bunkmate at Camp Emerson.
- Victor (Vic) Hewitt: Camp Director in the 1950s and 1960s, a helper to the Van Laar family, and father of T.J.
The God Of The Woods Review
The God Of The Woods by Liz Moore is a multi-layered thriller that weaves together multiple POVs and timelines.
While I enjoyed the book, I found it a bit challenging to get into at first due to the constant switching between characters and time periods. If you’re not a fan of this style, it might feel overwhelming.
I mean, just look at the cast of characters above.
The novel is nearly 500 pages long, and at times it felt like some sections could have been trimmed. The main reason why I rated this a 4 and not a 5.
Certain details, like Barbara painting the initials “BVL + JPM” in her room, seemed important but were never fully explored. Did Barbara genuinely like John Paul or was it a calculated move to frame him?
That said, the atmosphere was fantastic!
The creepy, gothic vibes of the summer camp made for a perfect autumn read, and the setting in the Adirondack Mountains was so vivid it made me want to visit.
The triller and mystery elements were well done, with a gripping, layered story that kept me hooked until the end.
Although the reveals weren’t surprising to me as a seasoned thriller reader, they were still satisfying and tied everything together nicely.
The book also touches on themes of class and privilege, examining how the wealthy Van Laar family uses their power to influence events to their advantage.
I thought this added an interesting layer to the story, especially in how it impacted the investigation into both Bear and Barbara’s disappearances.
Overall, The God Of The Woods was a gripping read with strong atmosphere and well-developed characters.
While some parts could have been more streamlined, I think it would work really well as a TV series. It also left me curious to check out more of Liz Moore’s work.
The God Of The Woods Book Club Questions
- How do you think the title, The God Of The Woods, relates to the story?
- Did you enjoy the multi-POV and multi-timeline style? Why or why not?
- What role does Camp Emerson itself play in the story?
- What did you suspect happened to Bear when you first started reading?
- Did you have any early theories about Barbara’s disappearance?
- Did you guess any of the plot twists or reveals? Which ones surprised you?
- How do you feel about the way mental health is addressed in the book, especially with characters like Alice and Louise?
- What did you think of Alice and Peter’s relationship? How do you think it was impacted by Bear’s disappearance?
- How do you think the Van Laar family’s wealth and influence shaped the events of the story?
- Why do you think Peter and his father kept Bear’s cause of death a secret from Alice? Do you agree with the decision?
- How did Bear’s death affect Barbara’s relationships with her parents?
- What challenges do you think Judy faced as a female Investigator in the 1970s?
- What impact do you think Jacob Sluiter’s presence as a serial killer in the area had on the Van Laar family and the broader investigation?
- Why do you think Judy kept Barbara’s location a secret?
- Do you think Barbara’s life will improve now that she’s escaped her family?
- If The God Of The Woods was adapted into a TV series, which actors would you cast for each character?
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