HEARTWOOD

by Amity Gaige

Heartwood gripped me from its first page and I was spellbound until the end. I didn’t want to stop reading even to sleep at night.  I’ve been recommending it to everyone and now recommend it to you our L&L readers!

Gaige writes the story of Valerie Gillis, who at age 42 decides to hike the entire Appalachian Trail by herself.  When she reaches one of the most challenging sections of the Trail in Maine, she goes missing.  Not only is the story fascinating, but Gaige tells it through three remarkable women’s points of view.  First, we hear from Gillis herself who, through letters to her mother, attempts to explain to herself and her mother why she felt compelled to do the hike.  These letters are so beautifully written, they read like poetry.  Second, we hear from Beverly, the Maine state park ranger who manages the search and rescue mission out looking for Valerie.  Third, Lena, a 76-year-old resident of a Connecticut retirement community, becomes involved in solving Valerie’s disappearance via her various ongoing conversations on social media.

In addition to the thrilling parallel stories of Valerie waiting to be rescued and the search mission to find her, Gaige includes other levels to the story.  I especially connected to each of the three narrators as they reflected on the relationships they have had with their mothers and/or daughters. Heartwood should be right at the top of your “to-be-read” pile.  You’re going to love it. (Liz)