Wild Review: The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

My wee review: The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff tells the story of a teenage girl surviving in the wild after fleeing a plague- and famine-ridden American colony in the 1600s. It is a brutally realistic survival and coming-of-age tale not for the faint of heart....or someone who prefers more plot-driven stories. Groff's imagination and commitment to authenticity are truly inspiring.

Wild novel in my wild living room (credit)

Like many, I was introduced to Lauren Groff through her 2015 hit, Fates and Furies. I don't remember many details of the story, except that it's the story of a couple, with one half of the novel told from the woman's perspective, and the other from the man's. Oh, and I remember just LOVING it. That's all (my memory leaves something to be desired). Of course, I then eagerly picked up her next novel, Matrix. I found myself struggling at first to get into the historical setting, and then at some point becoming totally engrossed by the story of some bad-ass medieval nuns rising to wealth and power.

Reading Groff's newest novel, The Vaster Wilds, felt similar to Matrix. I picked it up, not knowing what to expect. At first the historically accurate language and details threw me off, but then I was all for it and sat back to enjoy the ride. This time, Groff focuses on just one female character, a teenage servant girl who flees extreme suffering, disease, famine, and death in an American colony and just....survives, through extreme weather, near starvation, illness, wild animals, and scary encounters with a few other humans.

What I loved:

Much like Matrix, when I read this novel I was in awe at the level of historical detail that Groff demonstrates. I would LOVE to hear how she researches her novels. Groff's ability to so wholly immerse a story and characters in a setting that is completely different than contemporary life is truly genius. And with that, of course, comes so many details that remind you just how HARD life was through most of human history. Without going into gory details (the book has plenty!), let's just say that this novel (like Matrix) really brings to life the Hobbesian view that "life is nasty, brutish, and short."

My reaction to many details in this novel.

Credit: Wix and GIPHY

Now, let's talk about the story itself. As I said, it really is just about staying alive, but in the midst of that, the character has moments of appreciating that natural world around her that are really beautiful. She also comes to some profound truths that touch on broader sociopolitical themes of that age (namely, religion and spirituality, and the belief that Indigenous peoples were godless people in need of saving). I thought the way that Groff wove in these bigger questions and insights was very smart and gave me even more reasons to root for the main character.

What I loved less:

So, yeah, Groff holds no punches in describing many less-than-charming aspects of life in the 17th century. If you have a very delicate constitution, you might not enjoy this. While I was definitely grossed out at many parts, I still appreciated Groff's commitment to historical (and biological) accuracy.

Also, being a survival story, there isn't a plot per se. Things happen, yes, but the novel really is just about staying alive. If you like your novels with a variety of characters, changes in setting, and/or plot twists, you might be bored. I admit I felt this way a bit, but I also recognize that if there had suddenly been a ton of action and plot, it would not have been as effective or authentic of a survival tale.

My once-wild rescue dog who likely had to face extreme

weather, hunger, and violence, and who now sometimes

endures the hardship of having to give up her spot on the

couch or dinner served 5 minutes late. (Credit)

Final thought:

If you loved Matrix, or if you love immersive historical stories, and don't shy away from some grosser details about life and death, then Groff's latest novel is definitely for you. A totally immersive romp through the woods that will leave you grateful for modern plumbing and medicine.