It has been said that there are only seven original plots in literature. If this is the case, then it is entirely possible that Daniel Mason’s latest book contains every single one of them, and it is one of the more remarkable, and most original, novels you’ll ever read.

It is a story that begins with a journey, when a young couple flee their home and lay down the foundation stone of a new one. It is here, in the north woods of Massachusetts, that generation after generation come and go, with the house and its surrounds being the only true constants.

Each chapter adds to the legend of the place, as each minor character leaves their own imprint behind. Layer upon layer is effortlessly woven across centuries; people arrive, sometimes their stay is fleeting, momentary, sometimes it is for decades. Sometimes they die there, sometimes they are killed. They love – each other, those they cannot have, and, of course, the place. There is something incredibly gothic about the atmosphere of this house as it grows, falls into ruins, and grows again. A sense of foreboding, of mystery, of the house being more than just a house, or even a home, it becomes a character in its own right, dark and brooding, and yet a safe haven for some.

And surrounding the house is the equally intriguing and atmospheric landscape. Mason’s descriptions of nature, its beauty, and its cruelty, are truly stunning. He reminds us of the impact humankind has had on the world around us, and the damage we have done. But he also describes growth and regrowth and reminds us that the natural world can and will survive, one way or another. Written across the seasons, the land provides the backbone of this story and as the chapters unfold, links to previous ones, and previous times, become clearer. This is a truly masterful work.