North Woods: A Novel By Daniel Mason
In the heart of the New England woods, a single house weaves the tale of centuries, intertwining lives with nature's magic. Daniel Mason's "North Woods" invites readers on a genre-blurring journey that echoes David Mitchell's expansiveness and Edgar Allan Poe's creepiness. From Puritan lovers to a soldier turned apple-grower, spinster twins to a lovelorn painter, the narrative unfolds with love, madness, humor, and hope.
Mason, a Pulitzer Prize finalist, skillfully navigates time, history, and nature, creating a tapestry where characters discover the enduring connections between the past, present, and future. As a crime reporter uncovers ancient graves and a panther stalks, the novel pulsates with the rhythm of life, revealing the beauty and darkness that persist.
This "sweeping novel of storytelling magic" (The Washington Post) draws inspiration from literary giants like Thoreau, embodying a profound appreciation for the natural world. The characters, including a sinister con man and a lusty beetle, engage with wonder and mystery, realizing the enduring vitality of the dark, raucous, beautiful past.
Named among the best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review and The Washington Post, "North Woods" is a mesmerizing exploration of secrets, destinies, and the interconnected threads that bind us to history, environment, and each other. Mason's novel is not merely a story; it's an immersive experience, a celebration of the ways we live on, echoing in the silence long after we're gone. 📚❤️