Daniel Mason takes us deep into a tract of Massachusetts woodland with an array of inhabitants who dwell there in a yellow house for months or years, inhabiting the place gently or fiercely; nurturing and neglecting; observing or destroying. With such a big cast of characters, some stories compel more than others, but each adds to the whole often with surprising connectedness to people who have lived there before. The writing about the woods themselves is wonderful - lyrical, scientific, detailed and, at times, heartbreaking. The novel covers centuries, with change being a constant even in this remote little piece of earth. The story is haunted, haunting and a joy to read.

North Woods by Daniel Mason is an ambitious novel, telling multiple stories across centuries in a single location, but it didn’t fully work for me. The narrative structure felt disjointed, and the constant shifts in time and perspective made it hard to stay engaged.
Mason’s prose is undeniably beautiful, but the plot didn’t pull me in. It feels like a book more focused on atmosphere and style than on a cohesive, compelling story. A creative concept, but not one that resonated with me.

An unusual book with a great premise. Overall liked it, though could have done with more depth with the ghost element.

It took me a while to get into this book but it was worth persevering. It’s a unique kind of historical story where the link between all characters is the setting. I particularly enjoyed meeting Mary and Alice but there were other memorable characters along the way.
The book is well paced and the writing is beautiful; descriptive and evocative. I loved it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for my copy of this book.

One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read- impossible to place in a genre- but just stunningly propulsive and completely alive.
I thought I would be put off by the sudden loss of certain characters and introduction of new ones, but in fact that was part of the novel’s charm.
This is a love letter to nature- I have already started recommending it to every friend I know who loves Literature for the sake of it.

This book was excellent.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This really was a towering achievement. I can’t imagine how Mason was able to build such a realistic world and make us care for the characters on such a profound level.

North Woods by Daniel Mason offers an immersive literary journey that skillfully traverses the turbulent history of a specific piece of land in New England. The book unfolds as a captivating narrative that manages to encapsulate a vast and expansive scope, interweaving intricate and personal stories of diverse characters over centuries.

The characters, ranging from a young Puritan couple on the run to a haunted son harbouring buried secrets, are vividly developed, creating a profound sense of empathy and attachment. Their lives unfold within the confines of a secluded house in the woods, and each character brings a unique perspective on themes such as love, ambition, family dynamics, and survival, all set against the backdrop of different historical periods. "North Woods" is a testament to Mason's storytelling prowess, providing a rich and multifaceted exploration of human experiences across time and generations.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

'North Woods' is a stunningly written and supremely enjoyable patchwork novel spanning several centuries on a single plot of land in Massachusetts, from the 18th Century to an unspecified point in the future.

Daniel Mason uses a combination of third-person narration and other texts - ballads, letters, articles, diaries, speeches and more - to weave together the stories of the different humans who have inhabited the north woods and the lemon-yellow house that is built there, whilst giving equal weight to the animals and plants with whom their lives are intertwined.

In many ways, we are given a potted history of America in miniature - early characters include a puritan couple on the run, a runaway slave and a bounty hunter, and (possibly my favourite character) an English soldier who develops a mania for the apples that grow on the soil of his land. Violence persists across the generations, as do various forms of mental illness, allowing us to see how this is viewed by society at different times.

This might sound like a very fragmented premise for a novel, but Mason keeps introducing connections between different time periods, both natural and supernatural, reminding us of the ways in which the present is continually haunted and shaped by the past. Overall, this is a beautiful and rewarding read - thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

Flipping heck, I’ve read some good historical fiction lately! North Woods by Daniel Mason is one such book. Multiple points in history, narrative voices and styles all linked by place. Absolutely marvellous!

I don’t think I actually want to say too much about all the different characters in this book, except to say that it spans from a Puritan colony to the present day, all linked by the North Woods. It’s a gorgeous novel that had my heart in my mouth at several points and made me wish that I could see this place with my own eyes. The love of the landscape and nature shines through this gorgeous novel.

And, well, the end of this novel is the real tour de force. Utterly beautiful. A book of the year for me, that’s for certain.


https://bsky.app/profile/clarer73.bsky.social/post/3kgeblwq7tm2p

Do you ever imagine the untold stories of a place? North Woods does exactly that. It starts in the 1760s in a remote North Woods station in New England. The house, the people, the insects, the trees all get a look in, in the narrative that continues right up to the present day.

Sensational read about a cabin in the woods ...the moves moves through seasons and generations in a stunning fashion. I thoroughly enjoyed the whole story

This brilliant and wonderful story was hidden in my TBR and I loved it since I started reading.
Baroque, complex, multilayered, entertaining and thought provoking
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

This novel was based on a truly original conceit - a snapshot of American history through the story of one plot of land in north Massachusetts. I'm going to say there isn't a plot as such, but there is a definite narrative arc as a cottage is built in a remote wood, an apple orchard is planted, the story of the original inhabitants plays out, and through the ravages of history a couple of ghosts influence events as much as the passage of time does, showcasing the unbreakable links between past, present and future.

This was a fascinating read, a stunning literary achievement which is never hard work. Highly recommended.

At first I found it hard to work out what was going on in this strange, episodic book, but I persevered, probably because of the compelling poetic quality of the writing, and eventually the threads pulled together into a narrative or at least a narrative of sorts, loosely linked by a piece of land.

Native Americans, an English soldier who plants an orchard, a medium, a Puritan couple, beetles – there’s a wide range of enigmatic ‘characters’, many of whom drift back into that narrative, but somehow all seem to remain subservient to the principal character of the land itself and its unresolved, unsettling presence.

I certainly found this a difficult book, and it made me work hard as a reader, but I also found it original, clever, thought-provoking, probably profound and ultimately richly rewarding. If those are the qualities you look for in a novel, I would warmly recommend it.

Thought this was a really interesting take on a time period from a perspective and location we don’t normally see.

One of the best books I’ve read this year. So autumnal and rooted in the woods and nature. I loved the characters, particularly the ones that keep reappearing.

"North Woods" by Daniel Mason attempts a unique narrative approach by weaving together short stories set in a single rural location in New England across various eras. While the concept is intriguing, the execution falls short. The verbosity of the prose becomes laborious, leading to a tedious and tiresome read. The promise of an engaging novel dissipates as the stories drag on, making it challenging to maintain interest. Ultimately, the book's ambitious concept fails to captivate, I couldn't finish it.

I love comparing and contrasting book jackets for different regions. Here, in the UK, we have a portrait of one of the lovely Osgood girls holding an apple. This drew me in straight away. In the US it seems to be a catamount lounging on the ground. So sorry for you guys in the new world, that's not enticing in the least. It seems a poor choice given the wide scope of this beautifully glorious novel.

In North Woods we travel through time centred on a humble wood cabin built by early settlers in New England's wilderness. Over time the cabin is added to as people come and go and events unfold within and beyond its walls. Inhabitants take a backseat to the wondrous nature of the grounds this home dwells upon and the transformation it endures with the passing of time. Written in such a beautiful way, each new owner or occupant shares a glimpse into their life, and the time in which they live, and their impact upon the house. I ate North Woods up. It was written with exquisite language reflective of the time of each chapter. Almost like linked short stories, this is a beautifully constructed novel and I will happily recommend to all and sundry. This is one of the most rich novels I have read all year. Lovely in all regards.

*A big thank-you to Daniel Mason, John Murray Press, and NetGalley for arc in exchange for my honest review.*
An enchanting novel that narrates a story of the land and a house through the lives of their owners. Most original idea and characters who could seem to be chosen by the place rather that the other way round. Epic story that spans over two centuries and ends where it started. Characters who will not leave you indifferent. My personal deep emotions lie with the twin sisters and their father - what a story!