Reviews

North Woods by Daniel Mason

jholland's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

Odd.  Dark.  Creepy.  Creative.  I didn’t like it, but could see the craftsmanship that went into it.

njc0620's review against another edition

adventurous funny sad medium-paced

5.0

angrivas's review against another edition

slow-paced

3.5

bhurlbut's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

averagebee's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

madison_mls's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

I didn’t expect to like this as much as I did! The writing was beautiful and each story had such a unique voice and style, it tied in the passage of time so effectively. I was surprised that the story took a magical realism route but it made it all the more better in my opinion! Just a truly unique way to demonstrate human vs nature and how the history of a place always leaves a mark on it and us, or can even haunt us at times. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Gore, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Grief

camsreedings's review against another edition

4.5

Almost perfect. Descriptions of land and being alive and well is truly stunning and a major accomplishment. Totally an amazing idea to write a book based off of one piece of land over hundred of years. I love it, love the western Mass vibe. Thank you Daniel mason 

japoshi's review against another edition

adventurous dark informative inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

lorif61's review against another edition

(DNF - The synopsis did not forewarn of the unique style this novel is written, and I have not read other works by this author.)

Umm...No oohhh's and aahhh's here. Made it to page 14 (quizzical expression the whole time) then skimmed through to see if there was an actual storyline somewhere written in a format I could comprehend and enjoy. I'm not an intellect or deep thinker - I'm just a "plain Jane" bibliophile who reads for pleasure and likes a really good story no matter the genre. The writing style just didn't work for me.

bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition

3.0

I liked the concept of these interlinked short stories having to do with a cabin in Maine. Other reviewers love the prose. 

I am "eh" about this, but that likely tells you more about my reading tastes than the quality of this book. The prose was too purple and circuitous for me. I wanted a fun summer read with easy vibes, and this is not it. It required more concentration than I wanted to give it. I sighed at some of the stories, not wanting to be played with like the author so intelligently played with his readers.