switterbug (Betsey)’s review of North Woods > Likes and Comments
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Victoria BC? If so, I’ve been there! Wow you live in SLO? My uni bf took me there— such a beautiful area. Yeah, our homes are like sponges, soaking up the history!
Wonderful review! We are both so fortunate to be advance readers. This is surely one of the best books I've read in a long time and you capture its essence so very well.
All I read is your first sentence, Betsey... because I have this one waiting for me as an e-galley from NG. I will circle back when I'm done, but your first sentence was ALL I needed to convince me to move this one WAY up on the list!!!
Melissa wrote: "All I read is your first sentence, Betsey... because I have this one waiting for me as an e-galley from NG. I will circle back when I'm done, but your first sentence was ALL I needed to convince me..."
Melissa, this one is a winner! I look forward to your review!
switterbug (Betsey) wrote: "Melissa wrote: "All I read is your first sentence, Betsey... because I have this one waiting for me as an e-galley from NG. I will circle back when I'm done, but your first sentence was ALL I neede..."It's up on deck after I finish Covenant of Water! Yay.
Great review! This sounds fascinating!
Thank you, Catherine. Oh, it is!
Wonderful review! I just read the review in PW and your review has me requesting review copies from all possible sources. It sounds SO GOOD! Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
(I just typed you a long response that GR blew away entirely. Grr. We will test my memory and see if I can recreate it - ha ha):
You REVIEW deserves a Pulitzer, Betsey. It's so beautiful. And it's so wonderful you have the experience of having lived in western Mass., to connect your own memories to this story.
You describe the relationship between the characters and the setting so well: "They get their fifteen minutes, yet are largely bystanders to the cycle of Mother Earth."
I can see the comparisons to The Overstory - another one I ADORED (in the characters' ties to nature and the emphasis on forests/trees), but I think the likeness ends there, as NW is a wholly original book; I don't think I've read anything else like it.
Though you comment about this being the best American novel about apple orchards made me think of Matt Bell's APPLESEED. Bell achieves that same circularity of character/time/nature/earth that Mason does, and he does it in three time periods: historical, dystopian (50 years in the future); and sci-fi (1000 years later). It is literary and masterful -- and I'd never have thought I would appreciate a sci-fi component. Some very similar themes as in Mason's books. It's wonderful (and so was The Orchardist, if you haven't read it)!
What? There is an Anthony Marra/Daniel Mason interview? My e-copy didn't have that, but I hope the print version does when it releases (I will be buying a hardcopy of this gem).
It's interesting to learn more about your professional life (and to read the book through that lens, I suspect). Interestingly, I felt the same way -- about a book being written FOR me (in The Overstory). I hope, in your spare time, you are writing a novel ;-)!
Melissa wrote: "(I just typed you a long response that GR blew away entirely. Grr. We will test my memory and see if I can recreate it - ha ha):
You REVIEW deserves a Pulitzer, Betsey. It's so beautiful. And it's..."
Oh, Melissa--you are SO kind! So very very kind! I was blown away by this book, and I was still high on the book when I wrote the review. Still, reviews often take all my energy to write, and then I'm exhausted afterward!
I loved The Orchardist. How could I have forgotten?? Later, I also remembered Sanctuary Line, by Jane Urquhart, another favorite of mine, which contained nice detail about orchardists. I will have to check out APPLESEED! Thank you for the recommendation.
I have such respect for your lovely reviews. I feel so humbled by your compliments. I actually haven't read Overstory yet--but I own it and have read a lot about it. I know it has been compared with this one, but I trust your words that "the likeness ends there."
Oh, yes, the dialogue between Marra and Mason is absolutely invigorating. You will love it. I am also thinking about purchasing a hard copy of this one. The cover alone is worth the price!
I wish I could get myself to write a novel. A good friend of mine is doing just that. I reward the patience and energy it requires. When I was young, I wanted to be an actress or a writer, then became a nurse! The thing about being a psych nurse is that everyone's chart is like a "story"--no wonder I got attracted to psych nursing over other nursing specialties!
Again, thank you for your generous words, Melissa. You made my day!
As usual, your review enhances my love for this incredible novel, and thank you for calling my attention to the conversation between Mason and Anthony Marra, not available on the Kindle galley.
This review was just amazing in itself! Fantastic
Your review is perfection itself. An eloquent paean to this extraordinary book. I was struck speechless trying to describe the profound richness of this reading experience! Thank you for offering up the words I couldn’t express!
Wonderful review, Betsey!
Amazing review, Betsey. Setting as protagonist; that's exactly right.
Terrific review! Just finished reading this book tonight and your review was the first to come up for me on GoodReads. I knew it would be another good one :) I’m still dissecting the novel, but I am excited to write my review in the next day or so. I also have New England roots and someone close to me who suffers from some of the mental illness described. This novel surprised me. I also found parts of this novel quite funny, too. Another great review by you!
Thank you so much, Allen. Kind words like that make my day! Yes, this book is so relatable, and it's even closer to "home" if you have roots near there. I think it will be the next pulitzer winner-- it certainly was in my top few of 2023. Gorgeous writing.
Kimberly wrote: "Gorgeous review!"
Thank you, Kimberly!
This is such an eloquent review. You describe this novel perfectly.
Liz wrote: "This is such an eloquent review. You describe this novel perfectly."
Thank you, Liz! I thought it was going to win the Pulitzer, but I guess not. I was surprised.
Have just brought myself up to speed on the ‘24 Pulitzer winner/shortlist. I thought so too but now see I am way behind the times (UK based so am using that as my feeble excuse!). I’m equally surprised.
Liz wrote: "Have just brought myself up to speed on the ‘24 Pulitzer winner/shortlist. I thought so too but now see I am way behind the times (UK based so am using that as my feeble excuse!). I’m equally surpr..."
I am so excited about the Booker shortlist! I'm surprised there are so many Americans on it, too. Unfortunately, Pulitzer doesn't have a shortlist. They just announce the winner on a certain date, and a runner-up if there s one,
An excellent review that truly does justice to an excellent book. I like that you say to read Mason for pleasure and purpose. Couldn’t agree more as the story and writing is very entertaining and the quality depth of the characters along with the beauty of earth’s wonders, perils and destruction was on constant display. I’m nearing the story’s end and have very much appreciated the author’s writing.
Mary wrote: "An excellent review that truly does justice to an excellent book. I like that you say to read Mason for pleasure and purpose. Couldn’t agree more as the story and writing is very entertaining and t..."
Thank you, Mary! Yes, he's such an author for pleasure and purpose. I thought it was going to win the Pulitzer, and was shocked when it didn't!
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switterbug (Betsey)
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May 31, 2023 12:05PM
Victoria BC? If so, I’ve been there! Wow you live in SLO? My uni bf took me there— such a beautiful area. Yeah, our homes are like sponges, soaking up the history!
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Wonderful review! We are both so fortunate to be advance readers. This is surely one of the best books I've read in a long time and you capture its essence so very well.
All I read is your first sentence, Betsey... because I have this one waiting for me as an e-galley from NG. I will circle back when I'm done, but your first sentence was ALL I needed to convince me to move this one WAY up on the list!!!
Melissa wrote: "All I read is your first sentence, Betsey... because I have this one waiting for me as an e-galley from NG. I will circle back when I'm done, but your first sentence was ALL I needed to convince me..."Melissa, this one is a winner! I look forward to your review!
switterbug (Betsey) wrote: "Melissa wrote: "All I read is your first sentence, Betsey... because I have this one waiting for me as an e-galley from NG. I will circle back when I'm done, but your first sentence was ALL I neede..."It's up on deck after I finish Covenant of Water! Yay.
Great review! This sounds fascinating!
Thank you, Catherine. Oh, it is!
Wonderful review! I just read the review in PW and your review has me requesting review copies from all possible sources. It sounds SO GOOD! Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
(I just typed you a long response that GR blew away entirely. Grr. We will test my memory and see if I can recreate it - ha ha):You REVIEW deserves a Pulitzer, Betsey. It's so beautiful. And it's so wonderful you have the experience of having lived in western Mass., to connect your own memories to this story.
You describe the relationship between the characters and the setting so well: "They get their fifteen minutes, yet are largely bystanders to the cycle of Mother Earth."
I can see the comparisons to The Overstory - another one I ADORED (in the characters' ties to nature and the emphasis on forests/trees), but I think the likeness ends there, as NW is a wholly original book; I don't think I've read anything else like it.
Though you comment about this being the best American novel about apple orchards made me think of Matt Bell's APPLESEED. Bell achieves that same circularity of character/time/nature/earth that Mason does, and he does it in three time periods: historical, dystopian (50 years in the future); and sci-fi (1000 years later). It is literary and masterful -- and I'd never have thought I would appreciate a sci-fi component. Some very similar themes as in Mason's books. It's wonderful (and so was The Orchardist, if you haven't read it)!
What? There is an Anthony Marra/Daniel Mason interview? My e-copy didn't have that, but I hope the print version does when it releases (I will be buying a hardcopy of this gem).
It's interesting to learn more about your professional life (and to read the book through that lens, I suspect). Interestingly, I felt the same way -- about a book being written FOR me (in The Overstory). I hope, in your spare time, you are writing a novel ;-)!
Melissa wrote: "(I just typed you a long response that GR blew away entirely. Grr. We will test my memory and see if I can recreate it - ha ha):You REVIEW deserves a Pulitzer, Betsey. It's so beautiful. And it's..."
Oh, Melissa--you are SO kind! So very very kind! I was blown away by this book, and I was still high on the book when I wrote the review. Still, reviews often take all my energy to write, and then I'm exhausted afterward!
I loved The Orchardist. How could I have forgotten?? Later, I also remembered Sanctuary Line, by Jane Urquhart, another favorite of mine, which contained nice detail about orchardists. I will have to check out APPLESEED! Thank you for the recommendation.
I have such respect for your lovely reviews. I feel so humbled by your compliments. I actually haven't read Overstory yet--but I own it and have read a lot about it. I know it has been compared with this one, but I trust your words that "the likeness ends there."
Oh, yes, the dialogue between Marra and Mason is absolutely invigorating. You will love it. I am also thinking about purchasing a hard copy of this one. The cover alone is worth the price!
I wish I could get myself to write a novel. A good friend of mine is doing just that. I reward the patience and energy it requires. When I was young, I wanted to be an actress or a writer, then became a nurse! The thing about being a psych nurse is that everyone's chart is like a "story"--no wonder I got attracted to psych nursing over other nursing specialties!
Again, thank you for your generous words, Melissa. You made my day!
As usual, your review enhances my love for this incredible novel, and thank you for calling my attention to the conversation between Mason and Anthony Marra, not available on the Kindle galley.
This review was just amazing in itself! Fantastic
Your review is perfection itself. An eloquent paean to this extraordinary book. I was struck speechless trying to describe the profound richness of this reading experience! Thank you for offering up the words I couldn’t express!
Wonderful review, Betsey!
Amazing review, Betsey. Setting as protagonist; that's exactly right.
Terrific review! Just finished reading this book tonight and your review was the first to come up for me on GoodReads. I knew it would be another good one :) I’m still dissecting the novel, but I am excited to write my review in the next day or so. I also have New England roots and someone close to me who suffers from some of the mental illness described. This novel surprised me. I also found parts of this novel quite funny, too. Another great review by you!
Thank you so much, Allen. Kind words like that make my day! Yes, this book is so relatable, and it's even closer to "home" if you have roots near there. I think it will be the next pulitzer winner-- it certainly was in my top few of 2023. Gorgeous writing.
Kimberly wrote: "Gorgeous review!"Thank you, Kimberly!
This is such an eloquent review. You describe this novel perfectly.
Liz wrote: "This is such an eloquent review. You describe this novel perfectly."Thank you, Liz! I thought it was going to win the Pulitzer, but I guess not. I was surprised.
Have just brought myself up to speed on the ‘24 Pulitzer winner/shortlist. I thought so too but now see I am way behind the times (UK based so am using that as my feeble excuse!). I’m equally surprised.
Liz wrote: "Have just brought myself up to speed on the ‘24 Pulitzer winner/shortlist. I thought so too but now see I am way behind the times (UK based so am using that as my feeble excuse!). I’m equally surpr..."I am so excited about the Booker shortlist! I'm surprised there are so many Americans on it, too. Unfortunately, Pulitzer doesn't have a shortlist. They just announce the winner on a certain date, and a runner-up if there s one,
An excellent review that truly does justice to an excellent book. I like that you say to read Mason for pleasure and purpose. Couldn’t agree more as the story and writing is very entertaining and the quality depth of the characters along with the beauty of earth’s wonders, perils and destruction was on constant display. I’m nearing the story’s end and have very much appreciated the author’s writing.
Mary wrote: "An excellent review that truly does justice to an excellent book. I like that you say to read Mason for pleasure and purpose. Couldn’t agree more as the story and writing is very entertaining and t..."Thank you, Mary! Yes, he's such an author for pleasure and purpose. I thought it was going to win the Pulitzer, and was shocked when it didn't!
