Ever felt the urge to escape the chaos of modern life and disappear into the wilderness? Shea Ernshaw’s latest novel, “A History of Wild Places,” taps into that primal desire, weaving a spellbinding tale that’ll have you questioning reality and longing for the simplicity of nature. But be warned—these woods are darker and more twisted than they first appear.
A Tangled Web of Mysteries
Ernshaw, known for her atmospheric YA novels like “The Wicked Deep” and “Winterwood,” takes a thrilling leap into adult fiction with this genre-bending masterpiece. Part mystery, part psychological thriller, with a dash of magical realism, “A History of Wild Places” defies easy categorization—and that’s what makes it so damn captivating.
The story kicks off with Travis Wren, a guy with an uncanny knack for finding missing persons. He’s hired to track down Maggie St. James, a reclusive author of macabre children’s books (think a female Neil Gaiman with a sinister edge). Travis’s search leads him to Pastoral, a secretive commune hidden deep in the California wilderness. And then… poof! He vanishes too.
Fast forward a few years, and we’re introduced to Theo, Calla, and Bee—lifelong residents of Pastoral. When Theo stumbles upon Travis’s abandoned truck just beyond the community’s borders, it sets off a chain reaction that threatens to unravel everything they thought they knew about their idyllic home.
A Forest of Unreliable Narrators
Ernshaw’s decision to tell the story through multiple perspectives is a stroke of genius. We bounce between Travis, Theo, Calla, and Bee, each voice distinct and compelling. But here’s the kicker—none of them can be entirely trusted. Memory, identity, and reality itself become fluid concepts as the story unfolds.
The author’s prose is nothing short of hypnotic. She has this knack for creating vivid, sensory-rich scenes that pull you right into the heart of Pastoral. You can almost smell the pine needles, feel the damp earth beneath your feet, hear the whisper of leaves in the wind. It’s intoxicating stuff.
The Dark Side of Utopia
At its core, “A History of Wild Places” is an exploration of the human psyche and our desperate need for belonging. Pastoral, with its promise of a simpler life free from the outside world’s corruption, initially seems like paradise. But as layers of secrets and lies are peeled back, we’re forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.
Ernshaw deftly tackles themes of isolation, groupthink, and the dangers of blind faith. The residents of Pastoral are so terrified of a mysterious disease they call “the rot” that they’ve willingly cut themselves off from the rest of the world. Sound familiar? Yeah, the pandemic parallels are hard to miss, but Ernshaw’s take feels fresh and thought-provoking rather than heavy-handed.
Characters That’ll Haunt Your Dreams
Let’s talk about the cast for a minute, because holy smokes, these characters are something else. Travis, with his tortured past and supernatural gift, is an immediately engaging protagonist. But it’s the residents of Pastoral who really steal the show.
- Theo: A devoted husband and loyal community member who’s starting to question everything he’s ever known.
- Calla: Theo’s wife, a woman with a mysterious past and a growing sense of unease about her place in Pastoral.
- Bee: Calla’s sister, blind but possessing an eerie intuition that makes you wonder if she sees more than anyone else.
And then there’s Levi, the charismatic leader of Pastoral. Without giving too much away, let’s just say he’s the kind of character that’ll have you throwing the book across the room in frustration one minute and grudgingly admiring his complexity the next.
A Masterclass in Atmosphere
If there’s one thing Ernshaw excels at, it’s creating a palpable sense of atmosphere. The forest surrounding Pastoral becomes a character in its own right—beautiful, menacing, and seemingly alive. There’s a constant undercurrent of unease, a feeling that something is watching from just beyond the treeline.
The author plays with the boundaries between reality and fantasy, weaving in elements of folklore and fairy tales. Maggie St. James’s creepy children’s books, excerpts of which are scattered throughout the novel, add another layer of unsettling whimsy to the proceedings.
When the Twist Hits, It Hits Hard
About two-thirds of the way through, there’s a reveal that’ll knock your socks off. I’m talking jaw-on-the-floor, audible-gasp kind of stuff. It’s the kind of twist that makes you want to immediately flip back to page one and start over, armed with your new knowledge.
What’s impressive is how Ernshaw manages to pull this off without it feeling cheap or gimmicky. The groundwork is laid so carefully that when the pieces finally click into place, it feels both shocking and inevitable.
A Few Tangled Threads
No book is perfect, and “A History of Wild Places” does have a few minor stumbles. The pacing in the middle section can drag a bit, and there are a couple of plot threads that feel a tad underdeveloped. But these are small quibbles in the grand scheme of things.
The Verdict: Get Lost in These Pages
“A History of Wild Places” is the kind of book that’ll linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the final page. It’s a haunting exploration of memory, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. Ernshaw has crafted a world that’s both achingly beautiful and deeply unsettling—a place you’ll want to revisit again and again, even as it sends shivers down your spine.
If you’re a fan of Erin Morgenstern’s “The Night Circus,” Diane Setterfield’s “Once Upon a River,” or the more mystical side of Stephen King, this book needs to be on your TBR pile yesterday. Just maybe don’t read it alone in the woods at night. You know, just in case.
Who Should Read This?
- Mystery lovers looking for something with a supernatural twist
- Fans of atmospheric, character-driven thrillers
- Anyone who’s ever dreamed of escaping to a hidden utopia (and those who suspect such places are too good to be true)
- Readers who enjoy unreliable narrators and mind-bending plots
Who Should Skip It?
- Those looking for a straightforward, linear narrative
- Readers who prefer their mysteries firmly grounded in reality
- Anyone uncomfortable with themes of psychological manipulation
Final Thoughts: A Wild Ride Worth Taking
“A History of Wild Places” cements Shea Ernshaw’s place as a master of atmospheric, genre-blending fiction. It’s a book that demands to be savored, discussed, and revisited. So grab a copy, find a cozy spot beneath the trees, and prepare to lose yourself in the dangerous allure of Pastoral. Just remember—in these woods, nothing is quite as it seems.