The God of the Woods: Liz Moore's Award-Winning Novel

Why "The God of the Woods" by Liz Moore Won the 2024 Lolly Award

Overview

Liz Moore discusses her book "The God of the Woods," which won the Lolly Award in 2024. The novel is about a wealthy family in the 1970s who start a summer camp and send their daughter there, only for her to vanish. Moore drew inspiration from her family's history in the Adirondack Mountains, where they have had a cabin since the early 1800s. She also attended summer camp in the Adirondacks as a child, which she did not enjoy. A key piece of advice from her childhood, included in the book, is: "when lost, sit down and yell."

Key Features

• Set in the Adirondack Mountains in the 1970s
• Involves a wealthy family and a mysterious disappearance
• Inspired by the author's family history and personal experiences
• Includes potentially life-saving advice for those lost in the woods
• Celebrates the joy of reading and writing

Our Review

We found Liz Moore's insights into the inspiration and background of "The God of the Woods" fascinating. Her personal connection to the Adirondack Mountains and her own summer camp experiences add depth to the story. It's intriguing how a place she loves and an experience she disliked both contributed to the novel's creation. The inclusion of practical advice for survival adds an unexpected, yet valuable, dimension to the narrative. We appreciate her gratitude towards readers and her recognition of the symbiotic relationship between writers and their audience.