Floundering Far from the North Woods

While I hold Daniel Mason’s "North Woods" in high regard, "Country People" fell significantly short of my expectations. Where "North Woods" felt like a tightly woven, purposeful tapestry, "Country People" suffers from a deeply meandering narrative. The novel introduces a cast of vibrant, potential-filled characters who ultimately function as ornamental set dressing rather than active drivers of the plot.

This aimlessness is embodied by the protagonist, Miles. His fourteen-year struggle to complete a Ph.D. dissertation on topics ranging from Tolstoy’s peasants to Russian folktales serves as a metaphor for his own distractibility, but it makes for a frustrating reading experience. Mason offers flashes of wit, but these are frequently buried under excessive, unresolved tangents. Similarly, the comedic radio program excerpts intended to add texture ultimately fail to land, distracting rather than adding depth.

Even the epilogues, which aim to provide closure, arrive too late to redeem the pacing issues. My attempt to salvage the experience by switching to the audiobook was also unsuccessful; the narrator’s overly peppy delivery, meant to evoke the book's whimsy, felt over-the-top, jarringly reminiscent of a children’s television host. As this was my most anticipated book of the year, it is a major letdown. It lacks the structural magic that made Mason’s previous work so memorable. Readers who enjoy 'slice-of-life' character studies might find value here, but those seeking the enchantment of Mason’s previous work will likely be disappointed.

Take me back to the North Woods!

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. #CountryPeople #NetGalley