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Becky H. (Chicago, IL)
Thriller?, Not So Much
I really liked, maybe even loved, the writing. I liked the author's pacing, his sentence structure and his word usage. I liked the characters and that you really got to know them (except Ruby who always seemed a mystery both to me and to the writer).
What I didn't like was the story. Except for three heart pounding pages there was no "thrill" to it. The end left me flat. It seemed as if there was a chapter missing - the last one where all the stories (there are at least 5) would come to their conclusions. If you are looking for beautiful writing and finely drawn characters, you will love this book. If you are looking for a thriller or a mystery, you need to keep looking.
Eileen P. (Pittsford, NY)
The darkness inside
Man in the Woods is a sequel to Scott Spencer’s A Ship Made of Paper. While I enjoyed Man in the Woods, I found myself wondering more than once if I would had a better understanding of the characters and their motivations if I had read the previous novel first. Even so, Man in the Woods would make an excellent discussion book. Not only would it be interesting to discuss the moral issues the book raises, but it would also be easy to have an engaging discussion about the plausibility of the characters' responses to the choices they face.
Barbara C. (Riverside, CA)
It's all about the dog
This book has a nice crisp writing style that flows well. The premise is interesting and unusual, but the end may leave the reader scratching his or her head. Most of the characters are really “characters” and they are woven together like macramé, but some seem unnecessary or at least over-developed. I love the policeman. He could have a series of books all about him! Scott Spencer writes lots of little truisms and aphorisms that you wish you had said instead of him. The main character is full of life lessons and Truths (Notice the capital T?).
Dorothy M. (Maynard, MA)
A look at the randomness of life
Scott Spencer has created two interesting characters - a carpenter who seems pulled from a slower and gentler time and his partner - a woman who has discovered sobriety and Jesus, and is making a career of it. He then looks at what happens to them and to the people they touch when the man does the unthinkable. Will he get away with it? Will he be able to live with himself if he does? What will it do to the people he loves? Is he still the man he thought he was? This would be an excellent discussion book.
Diane D. (Cape Elizabeth, ME)
A haunting story....
Scott Spencer's Man in the Woods is a haunting story about the choices we make and the ripple effect they have in those around us. His characters were different and yet familiar feeling. His story caught me in its web from the very beginning and it was an enjoyable, if not eerie, ride to the end.....
William B. (East Peoria, IL)
Man's Best Friend
Spencer is always a dependable read. His latest is no exception. The ambiguous ending will be great for book club discussions. The author's observations and wit, his compassion are two of my favorite things about his writing. I enjoyed the plots central conflict because I'm afraid I would have acted the same as the protagonist.
Kristen H. (Lowell, MA)
Slow to capture
The slow start to "Man in the Woods" really disappointed me and made it hard for me to keep on reading though I am glad I did because it got better as the book went on.
To me the idea of Paul standing up for the dog who was being beaten kind of makes one think about today's society and how many people turn their backs on someone who may need their help because they don't want to get involved. Paul may have taken things a bit too far but that then calls into question how far is far enough?
Skye L. (Lake Oswego, OR)
A Man in the Woods by Scott Spencer
This book is a quick and often interesting read. The premise is, I think, related to the effects of random violence on all our lives. I write, "I think" because the major flaw of the book, and it is major, is the lack of character development. With little or no back story to the main character's lives- there is no dimension to the story as a whole. Well written in terms of compelling language it is unfortunate that the writing was not expanded to include more sympathetic characters who the reader could believe they knew.
