In Daniel Mason’s mesmerizing new novel “North Woods,” a humble cabin in the Massachusetts wilderness becomes the nucleus of an intricate web of human stories spanning four centuries. Following his Pulitzer Prize-nominated work “A Registry of My Passage upon the Earth,” Mason weaves a rich tapestry that blends historical fiction with magical realism, creating a narrative as complex and interconnected as the root systems of the ancient trees that populate his story.
The Architecture of Time
Mason structures his novel ingeniously through the twelve months of the year, but this isn’t merely a chronological progression. Instead, it creates a cyclical narrative that mirrors the seasons of nature and human experience. The story begins in June with two young lovers fleeing a Puritan colony, and through successive chapters, we witness the house’s transformation through different eras, each leaving its mark like growth rings on a tree.
Characters and Their Seasons
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its kaleidoscopic cast of characters, each bringing their own season to the house:
- The initial lovers, whose passion burns bright but brief
- Major Charles Osgood, whose obsession with apples transforms him from soldier to orchardist
- The fascinating Osgood twins, Alice and Mary, whose complex relationship forms the emotional core of the book
- Madame Anastasia Rossi, a fraudulent medium whose séance reveals unexpected truths
- Morris Lakeman, the amateur historian whose search for artifacts leads to an otherworldly discovery
- Nora, the modern-day scientist studying spring ephemerals, who finds herself crossing boundaries between life and death
A Critique of Structure and Style
While Mason’s ambitious structure largely succeeds, it occasionally challenges reader engagement. The episodic nature of the narrative means that just as we become invested in one story, we must shift to another. This can be both frustrating and rewarding – frustrating because we yearn to know more about certain characters, rewarding because each new perspective adds depth to our understanding of the house and its surroundings.
The author’s prose style varies with each section, adapting to different historical periods while maintaining a consistent underlying lyricism. Sometimes this works brilliantly, as in the archaic voice of the “Nightmaids Letter” or the pulpy noir of “Murder Most Cold.” However, there are moments when the stylistic shifts feel more experimental than essential to the story.
Themes and Symbolism
Nature as Character
The forest itself emerges as perhaps the most constant character in the book. Mason’s background as a psychiatrist brings a unique perspective to how humans interact with their environment. The trees, particularly the dying American chestnuts, become powerful symbols of both permanence and change.
Time and Memory
The novel explores how places hold memories and how these memories persist even as physical structures decay. Mason challenges linear concepts of time, suggesting that past and present exist simultaneously in certain spaces.
Love and Loss
Each story contains elements of love – romantic, familial, or for the land itself – and the inevitable losses that accompany it. The house becomes a repository for these emotions, accumulating layers of human experience like sediment.
Technical Mastery and Minor Flaws
Mason’s research is impressive, from historical details about apple cultivation to the science of forest succession. His attention to period-specific language and customs creates authentic historical atmospheres. However, some readers might find the depth of technical detail occasionally overwhelming, particularly in sections about botany or historical apple varieties.
The supernatural elements, while beautifully rendered, sometimes strain credibility – though this could be seen as part of the book’s charm rather than a weakness. The final chapter’s shift into pure magical realism might challenge readers who preferred the more grounded historical sections.
Comparison with Contemporary Works
“North Woods” by Daniel Mason joins a growing category of novels that examine human relationships with place over time, such as Richard Powers’ “The Overstory” and Annie Proulx’s “Barkskins.” However, Mason’s approach feels fresher, less didactic, and more interested in the mysterious connections between people and places than in environmental messaging.
Historical Fiction Meets Ecological Awareness
While the novel can be read as pure historical fiction, it carries subtle contemporary resonance. The changes in the forest – from the chestnut blight to modern climate challenges – mirror our current environmental concerns without becoming preachy. Mason’s ability to weave these themes naturally into his historical narrative is particularly skillful.
Final Assessment
“North Woods” by Daniel Mason is an ambitious and largely successful novel that rewards patient readers. Its intricate structure and shifting perspectives require attention, but the payoff is substantial. Mason has created something rare: a historical novel that feels both authentic to its various periods and urgently relevant to contemporary concerns.
Strengths:
- Masterful integration of historical detail
- Beautiful prose that adapts to different time periods
- Complex, memorable characters
- Rich symbolism and layered meanings
- Innovative structure
Areas for Improvement:
- Occasional pacing issues
- Some transitions between stories feel abrupt
- Technical details sometimes overshadow narrative
- Supernatural elements may not appeal to all readers
For readers who appreciate literary fiction that challenges conventional storytelling while maintaining emotional resonance, “North Woods” by Daniel Mason is a remarkable achievement. It’s a book that, like its central location, reveals new secrets with each visit.