Daniel Mason's 'Country People' is like a rip-roaring adventure through the heart of New England, where the lines between reality and myth blur like a watercolour painting in the rain. Fresh from the success of his 2023 novel 'North Woods', which delved into centuries of history, Mason takes us on a new journey across the border into Vermont, a land of enchantment and mystery.
On the surface, 'Country People' seems like a straightforward tale of family life – the Krzelewskis relocate from California to Vermont, settling into their dream home in a secluded forest. But scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find that appearances are deceiving. Mason's masterful storytelling is like a tightrope walker balancing on the high wire between reality and fantasy.
The story kicks off with Miles Krzelewski, a devoted husband and father, making the bold move to Vermont with his family. His wife Kate, a renowned Milton scholar, takes up a visiting professorship, while their children settle into their new school. At first, the verdant landscape and quaint existence of rural Vermont seem like the perfect escape from city life. But Miles, a PhD student studying Russian folktales, is itching to explore the local wilderness. He embarks on solo adventures, feeling an eerie connection to the natural world.
As he delves deeper into the woods, Miles encounters an incredible cast of characters – the Rat Man exterminator, the biochemist-turned-orchardist, and even a trekking guide who claims there's a hidden portal to a fantastical underworld within Vermont. It's like Mason has conjured up a whole new world beneath our feet.
Miles's journey is both literal and metaphorical – he's digging for meaning, inspiration, and truth in the very fabric of his new surroundings. With wit, warmth, and linguistic flair, 'Country People' promises to be an uplifting exploration of family, folklore, and the unseen worlds that shape our lives.