North Woods by Daniel Mason is an original and inventive novel that circles around a cabin in Western Massachusetts originally from the Puritan era which develops into a larger contemporary and ramshackle building and all those who have a connection to it. At the same time, the land, and everything tied to it, is gloriously and gently described and emphasized. The forests, birds, and trees, especially the formerly thriving American chestnut, are all recognized for their pulchritude and comfortable stature. Apple trees also play a big role in the plot. The book and its eccentric, whimsical, and sometimes brutal characters are all tied to the land and are cosseted by nature.

The characters, although discrete, are delightfully original and an integral part of the tone shifts throughout the novel. Alice and Mary, eccentric twins who remain lifelong spinsters may be the most memorable, especially after they are placed under the floorboards. The catamount (known out this way as a mountain lion) is another intriguing character who plays a large part in a violent murder.

The combination of nature in all her glory and the varied people who make their way through the centuries in this grand saga do so with grace and challenges and occasionally anger. But somehow, everything and everyone are strongly tied together and move forward in strides with intention and empathy. Daniel Mason has created a brilliant and imminently readable book.

Daniel Mason’s latest novel traces the lives of those who live in a house in the wilds of Western Massachusetts, from its first settlers who have fled a Puritan colony to those brought to its door by a 21st-century real estate advertisement (3 Bd, 2 ba). With each subsequent occupant, the writing shifts in tone, deftly moving from foreboding to bombastic, from comedy to irony. Mason’s skillful command of the story is able to craft compelling literary fiction from grisly deaths and ghostly hauntings, all stitched together with a powerful sense of place. The novel reminds us that the past is always with us, lying under our homes and our feet.

Oh, goodness. I was bewitched from the first sentence (and have to admit that the cover sang to me, given my affinity for mountain lions). And the language… it was as drinkable as the pure streams described in this novel, the scents and smells and sounds of unfettered forest. It is almost comical how many highlights are on my e-copy… A few:

"On the trees grew mushrooms large as saddles. Grey birds, red snakes, and orange newts their witnesses. The locusts tossed their flowers. The smell of hay rose from the fern they crushed. And the sound, the whir, the roar of the world.

The mist was drinking-thick, the path was stony, serpentine, vanishing into a meadow like an illusion, before emerging, just as illusory, in the wet cowlick of a wind-blown field.

I have come to the opinion, generally, that he who does good to the land shall be protected, while he who trespasses upon her will be met with the most violent return.

Everywhere the tracks of little animals, the deep steps of the deer. For the snow renders their passage legible, reveals the long night’s silent maps. "

Yes, I am a student of the earth, a nature fanatic, and an ardent reader of historical fiction. And what Mason does with these two topics – history and nature – is nothing short of miraculous, weaving and blending them into a magical story of a single place over centuries, its inhabitants of the two- and four-legged variety, even those antennaed, winged and gilled. There is an amazing circularity to the book– one character circling to another, lightly sharing themes of history and connection, without being repetitive.

Readers of linked short stories (who also love nature) might find this book incredibly appealing. I think; I’m not sure this novel is actually the same as a linked short-story connection, because it is not the characters, but the land, that ties everyone and everything together. What an apropos message for all of us earthlings as our land diminishes and is threatened daily by overuse, abuse, climate change, overpopulation, extraction and poisoning. Yet we continue, largely, to turn a blind eye. The land connects us to everything. To me, that is the crowning message of this book. It is a universal truth, over time. Note: I am not a short-story reader, because I feel I can never get deep enough into the characters. And while each section of this book introduces characters for brief periods of time, I connected with nearly all of them.

I do wonder, however, if this novel will appeal more broadly. I know many people who “don’t like to read about trees and nature.” Well, then, this book definitely isn’t for you. This novel reads like a love story to Mother Earth, for her resilience, her heartache, her victories over the elements, over man, over war. It’s also an ode to history, itself, complete with an amateur historian, backyard birders, orchardists, researchers who study the history of flora and fauna, artists who capture time. Within these pages are ballads, mystery magazines – and people, of course, many of whom have a spiritual connection to this place in western Massachusetts, many of whom suffer mental health issues.

In this book, readers will find the natural world, the supernatural, flawed characters, jealousy, rage, goodness, evil, ambition, history (so thrilled to see the mighty American chestnut and its fabled … and sad… fate presented here – along with the history of colonialism, the French-Indian War, the American Revolution, the Civil War, Biblical history, etc. – none of it was sanctimonious).

Truly a masterpiece. The elemental aspects of this book – the magic, the otherworldliness – was just sublime. This is a thinking reader’s kind of book, because after you ‘sit’ with this book a bit longer upon turning the last page, you’ll see so much more than the characters on the page. You’ll uncover thematic significance and adroit symbolism. You’ll see how connected we really ARE to our good Earth and how resilient she is.

An intriguing look at the passage of years, layers of time, and what parts of ourselves we leave behind. Will make you want to find a bare patch of land and throw down an apple core.

You’re either going to love or hate this book. At first, I wondered what I was getting myself in to. Because this book is written in a way that evokes a Victorian gothic novel, I found it hard to find my balance initially. The book is really a series of stories, with the house and land surrounding it as the focal point, you may not like all the stories, as was the case with me. The first story made me want to quit, but then the following stories grabbed my interest. About halfway through, I was struggling again until the POV changed and once again I was invested in the story.

I don’t want to give away too much of the plot besides what the Goodreads blurb mentioned, but my favorite stories of the old house were of Osgood and his daughters, which were some of the earliest stories. And then the story of the poet, writing to his dear friend living in the west while unhappy with the life he created with his wife. The crime reporter and his story late in the book was most interesting and held my attention. I wish all of the stories grabbed me the way these stories did, because it would have been a five-star read for me then. Instead, I’ll rate it only 4-stars.

This is a beautifully written piece of literary fiction that’s worth reading despite its unevenness. I’ll have to check out the author’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated work soon.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Random House in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was an incredible book, both for the story and the writing. Please see my full GoodReads review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5728716654

You've probably heard expression, "If walls could talk." Well, in the North Woods saga, they can. From Puritan lovers seeking refuge from retribution to oddly and eternally connected twin sisters to a suspicious crime reporter to a starry eyed painter to a real life panther, generations of inhabitants weave their stories into the bedrock of the home. The nearby apple orchard holds their secrets. Lots of secrets. This unique, quirky, masterful story will keep you turning pages well into the night.

Beautiful, unique,
epic love story to home,
a home, New England.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


I write haiku reviews on Instagram but am happy to provide more feedback.

I absolutely loved this book. The story revolves around a cabin in the woods and its surrounding land. Over several hundreds of years, the reader is introduced to the people that find themselves drawn to this place. The house, the land and the people who live there are constantly evolving. Chapters read like short stories where we get a glimpse into their lives and the history of who they are. This house witnessed it all...death, love, jealousy, murder, sanctuary...but above all it is the connection they felt to this home.
The descriptions of the apple trees, the meandering rivers, and open fields and the woods full of wild live are a joy to read. I highly recommend this book! Each chapter kept me riveted and wanting more. I was sorry to see it end. I received an ebook from the publisher through Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very interesting premise. For the most part, I found it well executed. It follows the residents of a house through time since the 1600s. Who the people are and how they are related to each other is not always clear upon reading their individual story. Often, it becomes clear in following chapters. Sometimes the characters are only tied together by the house. Figuring this out was intriguing, but it also could be frustrating when the mystery went on too long. I also had to guess the approximate time frames based on background events such as the elm tree blight.
I did not especially enjoy the poetry, but poetry is not my thing. Those who are more interested in poetry may appreciate these sections. I skimmed them and did not miss anything key to the overall plot.
The section in which insects are the main characters was absolutely brilliant. It is one of the most creative pieces of fiction I have ever read. It was well-researched and hilarious! I would have read the whole book just for this part. Extremely well done.
I would recommend this to anyone who likes US historical fiction and wants to try something different. This book feels new and fresh. I would read this author again.
Thanks the the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In "North Woods," Daniel Mason showcases his remarkable talent for crafting an immersive and emotionally resonant experience. This novel is a must-read for anyone seeking an escape into a world of wonder, beauty, and the enduring power of the human spirit. While the setting is the main character, Mason populate's his novel with interesting and memorable characters who are quirky, strong, resilient, weak and whole-heartedly human.

This book was beautifully written, albeit hard to put the pieces together. It became way too metaphysical at times and was not an easy read by any stretch of the imagination. Very thought provoking and will stay with me for quite some time.

North Woods is the story of story of a house and the people who lived in it from colonial times on through an apocalyptic future. Make no mistake . This is not a typical historical novel. In North Woods, history helps set the stage but it is the woods and the people who live in them that dominate the action. The story is not about a single family but earlier incidents and characters are frequently referenced in later chapters

Mason's characters are often amusing and quirky but are just as often unpredictable and violent. I found myself being surprised more than once by their actions and sudden plot swerves. Magical realism is employed. The woods themselves are presented as a sort of Eden. (Apple trees figure prominently in the story.) They never seem to present genuine danger to anyone and are more of a refuge than a threat.

The writing through most of this book was excellent. Mason's characters are fully realized, speaking and acting appropriate to the age they live in and their station in life. The plot was entertaining but not moving emotionally . In the last part of the book I felt that it devolved into a heavy handed polemic on the environment. I am in sympathy with his views. I do think though that it would have been possible to have had a lighter touch and maintained the audience interest in the story and characters

Incredibly original story structure, and I wanted to enjoy it, but it just didn't grab hold of me the way I'd hoped. I'll certainly give it another try someday, and I'm glad that so many other readers are loving it, but it's not right for me right now.

A chilling story that revolves around a house in the woods.
It's actually a series of stories as the house changes hands over the years.
I found the 1st chapter a bit on the fantasy side. As I read it, I wasn't sure what was truly happening and what was a character's imagination.
Some of the stories were quite grounded and I enjoyed those.
Several of the stories toward the end featured appearances by the ghosts of past owners.
All in all, I liked the book.
I give it 4 stars.

"North Woods" had the unfortunate luck of being the book I picked up after a long string of sharp, intelligent, and edgy reads. I’ve chosen well lately, and because of this, the novel suffers somewhat to others I’ve read.

It may just be me, though. A handful of early reviewers are rumbling about the Pulitzer for Daniel Mason, so that should tell you something. But I’m not one of them.

The structure of the novel is original: twelve interlinked stories corresponding with the seasons and months of the year, all set around a house in a New England forest. The first story takes place in the time of the Puritans, with each subsequent tale advancing through history and focusing on the revolving inhabitants of the house. Among others, Mason writes of an apple man, spinster twin sisters, and a painter – the stories all stunning in prose and cleverly linked, many shaded with a twisted darkness and a bit of the supernatural.

Each tale, too, is couched within some of the most beautiful nature writing I’ve ever encountered. Mason paints a vivid scenic picture and shows us how the land changes over time due to human interference, climate change, and blights. His ability to illustrate the interconnectedness of our natural world is unmatched.

But while the novel’s beauty may be inarguable, Mason's stories are told simply from the surface. There’s not enough depth to them, nor enough weight, to back up the gorgeous prose. They lack emotion and intricate characterization.

Until the very end, that is. The last two stories are works of art. The characters are fleshed and real, the narrative so evocative that my overall rating for the novel jumped from three stars to four.

If only Mason had made me feel throughout the entire book as he did in his final pages. If only I had experienced a connection to all the stories, not just a few.

If only.
If only.

Only then would Pulitzer be on my lips, too.


Mark your calendars. "North Woods" publishes September 19, 2023.

My sincerest appreciation to Daniel Mason, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions included herein are my own.

This book is BRILLIANT! I have never read anything from Daniel Mason before. What an incredible writer!! I cannot recommend this book to enough people. One of my favorite books of the year!

A Ghost Story meets Cloud Atlas with a heaping dash of Thoreau thrown in for good measure.

As the owner of a 213-year-old house, it was a beautiful reminder that an insignificant little patch of land might have been or still become the most significant place on the planet to someone else you'll never meet — just because they came before you or after you. And, you never know, you might just meet them after all.

this was a very interestingly crafted book. a book comprised of related short stories, it is divided into 12 parts, each a story for the 12 months of the year and varying with the seasons, and all revolving around the same house in the north woods over the years, and its different inhabitants. some of these stories were great, and engaging, and really held my attention… and some of them really lost me. i like realizing how they were all interconnected and seeing how, in such a way, we are all connected to the past and the future. toward the end there was a lot on the nature of the place and the flora and fauna; i really liked all of the tree talk though i didn’t understand much of it! not sure who i will be recommending this book to; feels like it won’t be for everyone, but i’m glad to have read it. i am grateful for the advanced copy of this book from random house publishing group via netgalley! so exciting to read a book before it’s available to the rest of the world.🍃🌳🏡🌳🍃

This is a hard one to summarize. Multiple viewpoints/generations, all tied to a gorgeous plot of woodlands. The writing is lovely…so atmospheric that the land itself becomes a leading character. Danger, love, heartbreak, illness, estrangement…all intertwined with the peacefulness and savagery of nature. Unique and extremely well done.