Discovering Heartwood: A Tangled Journey of Heart and Nature
“Heartwood” by Amity Gaige was an immediate draw for me, not only because of its compelling premise but also due to my connection with the Appalachian Trail. Summers spent in a tiny New Hampshire town, where I often see determined hikers passing through, have filled me with admiration for those brave enough to tackle such an adventure. Add in a mysterious disappearance—Valerie Gillis, a 42-year-old hiker who vanishes while exploring the trail—and I was hooked.
Gaige weaves a complex tapestry of perspectives, beautifully structured through transcripts from tip-line voicemails and interviews alongside three distinct viewpoints. I found each lens—Lieutenant Bev, a seasoned game warden; Lena Kucharski, a 76-year-old retired scientist; and Valerie herself, through heartfelt letters to her mother—vividly pulsating with emotion. The epistolary format gives Valerie a voice that’s starkly personal, allowing us to glimpse her isolation and yearning for connection. Her letters poignant reveal the novel’s heartwood—a term she uses for that innermost substance that keeps us standing strong.
In a particularly revealing letter, Valerie writes, “Sometimes, in your lap, I would press my hand against your chest so that I could feel the center of you—your heartwood, your innermost substance, like the core of a tree that keeps it standing.” This imagery resonates deeply throughout the narrative, echoing the complexities of motherhood and relationships. I found myself reflecting on my own familial connections, particularly the nuances of longing and loss that Gaige so deftly captures.
Each character, especially Bev, who feels more at home in the wilderness than with her family, brings a unique emotional landscape. The exploration of absence—as seen through Lena’s estrangement from her daughter and Bev’s yearning for maternal acceptance—adds a haunting layer to the unfolding mystery. Meanwhile, the introduction of Ruben Serrano, or Santo, offers a refreshing dose of levity. His attempts to navigate the often exclusive world of long-distance hiking provide sharp commentary on the inadvertent barriers within outdoor culture.
Gaige’s pacing and narrative tension maintained my engagement throughout the nearly nine-hour audio experience. I chose the audiobook version, narrated by a talented full cast—Justine Lupe, Alma Cuervo, and others—who breathed life into the rich characters and their intertwined fates. Their performances complemented Gaige’s evocative prose, making each moment feel tangible, especially as the search for Valerie intensified.
"Heartwood" isn’t just a story about a missing hiker; it’s an exploration of what it means to belong, to search, and to grapple with the relationships that shape us. If you enjoy intricate character studies intertwined with a compelling mystery, this novel is for you. Gaige’s writing has not only left me reflecting on the threads of my own relationships but also on the depths of the outdoors, reminding me that sometimes the solace we seek in nature is punctuated by the complexities of our connections back home.
For anyone intrigued by the layers of human emotion or the allure of the great outdoors, “Heartwood” promises to be a profound and engaging read. I emerged from this story with a deeper appreciation for both the wilderness and the hearts that venture into it, and I can’t wait to see how others resonate with this powerful narrative.