The Vaster Wilds
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. NAMED A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR BY NPR, TIME, ESQUIRE and others. “Part historical, part horror, part breathless thriller, part wilderness survival tale, The Vaster Wilds is a story about the lengths to which we will go to stay alive."-NPR staff pick. “Lauren Groff just reinvented the adventure novel."—Los Angeles Times. “Glorious...surroundings come alive in prose that lives and breathes upon the page." -Boston Globe. A taut and electrifying novel from celebrated bestselling author Lauren Groff, about one spirited girl alone in the wilderness, trying to survive. A servant girl escapes from a colonial settlement in the wilderness. She carries nothing with her but her wits, a few possessions, and the spark of god that burns hot within her. What she finds in this terra incognita is beyond the limits of her imagination and will bend her belief in everything that her own civilization has taught her. Lauren Groff’s new novel is at once a thrilling adventure story and a penetrating fable about trying to find a new way of living in a world succumbing to the churn of colonialism. The Vaster Wilds is a work of raw and prophetic power that tells the story of America in miniature, through one girl at a hinge point in history, to ask how—and if—we can adapt quickly enough to save ourselves.
A Wilderness of Beauty, Brutality, and Transformation
Lauren Groff's "The Vaster Wilds" is a breathtaking and brutal tale of survival, transformation, and the raw power of nature. Set in the unforgiving wilderness of 17th-century America, it tells the story of a young woman who flees a colony plagued by starvation and religious extremism, venturing into the unknown depths of the forest.
Groff's prose is exquisite, painting vivid pictures of the wild landscape, from the lush beauty of the forest to the harshness of the winter's grip. She captures the sensory experience of nature with such detail that the reader feels the icy wind on their face and the damp earth beneath their feet. This immersive writing style allows us to fully inhabit the world of the novel and experience its challenges and wonders alongside the protagonist.
The protagonist herself is a compelling figure, unnamed and stripped of societal constraints, she becomes a primal creature driven by the basic need for survival. Groff skillfully portrays her physical and emotional journey, showcasing her resilience, resourcefulness, and the transformative power of the wilderness. We witness her moments of vulnerability and fear, as well as her moments of triumph and connection with the natural world.
However, the wilderness is not simply a backdrop to the story; it is a living, breathing entity that plays an active role in the protagonist's journey. It is both a source of beauty and sustenance, and a constant threat to her survival. This complex relationship between the protagonist and the wilderness adds a layer of depth and symbolism to the novel, prompting reflection on our relationship with nature and the challenges we face in the face of its vastness.
"The Vaster Wilds" is not just a survival story; it is a meditation on resilience, faith, and the human spirit's capacity for transformation. Through the protagonist's journey, Groff challenges us to confront our own fears and limitations, and to consider the transformative power of facing the unknown. While the novel is not for the faint of heart, its raw beauty and powerful message make it a truly unforgettable reading experience.
Here are some additional points to consider:
- Target audience: This book is likely to appeal to readers who enjoy literary fiction, historical fiction, and stories about survival and resilience.
- Writing style: Groff's prose is descriptive, lyrical, and evocative. She uses vivid imagery and sensory details to create a truly immersive reading experience.
- Strengths: The novel's strengths lie in its beautiful writing, compelling protagonist, and complex exploration of themes like survival, transformation, and the relationship between nature and humanity.
- Weaknesses: Some readers may find the novel's graphic descriptions of violence and suffering disturbing.
- Overall impression: A powerful and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you turn the last page.
How can you read this book?
Click these simple buttons to read this book today.
You may like these books... Buy now!
|
|
|
Lauren Groff, Novelist 
Acclaimed Novelist and Short Story Writer
Lauren Groff, born on July 23, 1978, in Cooperstown, New York, is a prominent American novelist and short story writer known for her captivating literary works. Her literary journey has encompassed five novels, two short story collections, and numerous accolades for her contributions to contemporary literature.
Early Life and Education: Groff grew up in Cooperstown, New York, and pursued her education at Amherst College, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree. She further honed her literary skills by obtaining a Master of Fine Arts degree in fiction from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Career Highlights: Lauren Groff's debut novel, "The Monsters of Templeton," was published in 2008 and swiftly found success, debuting on the New York Times bestseller list. This marked the beginning of a prolific career that would see her exploring various literary forms.
Her first collection of short stories, "Delicate Edible Birds," released in 2009, featured stories published in prestigious outlets such as The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and others. Groff's ability to weave intricate tales earned her acclaim and recognition.
In 2012, she released her second novel, "Arcadia," which delves into the story of the first child born in a 1960s commune in upstate New York. The novel received positive reviews and secured a place on bestseller lists.
One of Groff's most notable works is the novel "Fates and Furies," released in 2015. This intricately structured narrative provides a dual perspective on a 24-year marriage, first from the husband's viewpoint and then from the wife's. The novel garnered widespread acclaim, becoming a New York Times and Booksense bestseller and earning nominations for prestigious awards.
Groff's literary prowess was acknowledged when she was named one of the Best of Young American Novelists by Granta Magazine in 2017. In 2018, she received a Guggenheim Fellowship in Fiction, further solidifying her status as a distinguished author.
Her short story collection, "Florida," released in 2018, received the coveted Story Prize for short story collections published in 2018 and was a finalist for the 2018 National Book Award for Fiction. The collection showcases Groff's narrative strength and her ability to address contemporary societal challenges.
In 2021, Groff released her fourth novel, "Matrix," a historical fiction piece set in a dreamlike abbey, exploring the life of a 12th-century mystic. The novel earned acclaim and was shortlisted for the 2021 National Book Award for Fiction.
Personal Life: Lauren Groff is married and has two children. She resides in Gainesville, Florida, and her sister is the Olympic triathlete Sarah True.
Bibliography: Novels:
- "The Monsters of Templeton" (2008)
- "Arcadia" (2012)
- "Fates and Furies" (2015)
- "Matrix" (2021)
- "The Vaster Wilds" (forthcoming in 2023)
Short Story Collections:
- "Delicate Edible Birds" (2009)
- "Florida" (2018)
Lauren Groff's literary contributions have enriched the contemporary literary landscape, and her ability to craft compelling narratives across different genres continues to captivate readers worldwide.
A girl—her name is Lamentations Callat, possibly between 16-18 years old (we learn of her name and age after page 50)— has escaped from the fort in late winter, in the middle of the night, fearing that there may be men in hot pursuit. It appears she has killed someone, though we learn the what and why much later in the narrative. She is headed north, towards French Canada, as seen in a map held by the governor at the fort. Southward is La Florida, but she’d pondered that, the distance being more or less the same, she’d rather head north because at least she could understand some French.
It has been four days since she has last eaten. She had been a servant, come to the New World with her masters— her mistress, her mistress’s second husband (a minister), and the mistress’s younger child, a girl named Bess, who suffered from Down Syndrome. Bess and the masters had died. The fort had been under siege by the native Powhatan tribes, and its inhabitants had succumbed to disease and starvation.
This girl is resilient and resourceful. She carries a small sack with a flint, a knife, a hatchet, and two coverlets. She’s wearing a cape and stolen boots. She fishes, she haunts, collects berries, nuts, and learns to discern the good mushrooms from the bad ones through trial and error. Escapes a bear, a wolf, a close encounter with a bison herd, and she survives for two weeks until it becomes apparent that the fever she has held at bay since her escape may finally claim her.
The Vaster Wilds is the story of a girl determined to survive against all odds through great instinct and determination. It's also a story full of wonder towards the natural world and its rhythms. It gets philosophical at times, as books about nature eventually do, questioning the existence of god or its very nature. The novel employs an all-knowing narration, with the girl being the only active character—all the others we experience either through her recollections or as she encounters them in the wild.
I found The Vaster Wilds beautifully written but a chore to read. It took me as long to read as a book twice its length. It was enjoyable, page-turning when I could manage to connect with the story; I liked it overall, but it wasn’t memorable.
The Vaster Wilds is quite a self-contained story, following a girl (simply known as “girl,” but by numerous other names throughout her life, such as Lamentations.) Through contextual clues, we find that the girl has fled the famine and disease-stricken Jamestown settlement after she has committed a crime. The girl’s strong-willed drive for survival is the spark the ignites her journey and keeps her fire burning through adversity in the wilderness.
Through starvation, disease, injuries, harsh weather, and much more, the girl’s ingenuity keeps her alive. Perhaps it is obvious to say, but the girl’s flight through the harsh wilderness is also very much a journey through her own mind and memories. She was purchased as a type of “pet” for her former mistress; a person forced to be an object or play thing. A person forced to journey across an ocean and care for a young child. A person forced to witness and endure terrible hardship. The harsh reality of the girl’s life in “civilization” was perhaps far more trying than anything the untamed wilderness hurls her way. For in civilization she was bound, yet in the wilderness she is free.
Lauren Groff’s writing style is unique, poetic, and beautiful. Perfect and poignant in her phrasing. I watched the movie Beau Is Afraid around the same time I was finishing this novel, and I can’t help but draw similarities in the abstract journeys both physical and emotional, both bizarre and beautiful.
