The God of the Woods is a solid literary thriller. While at times the novel can be confusing, with its cast of many characters and story lines, ultimately it proves to be interesting, thoughtful, and even hopeful.

The main aspect of the book I find interesting is its comparison of women. While characters like Alice and Annabel rely on men for their safety and purpose (to the point of hysteria and, arguably, idiocy), the selection of strong women and girls (Louise, Judy, Barbara) give the novel its backbone. It’s fitting that the story is set in the ‘70s, when modern feminism really starts making an impact in the United States.

There are other parts of the novel to consider as well, such as upper class vs. lower class. I enjoyed the book, and I look forward to the author’s future works.