Book Review: These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant

My Rating:

 4.5⭐️

More often than not I end up disappointed with books with a lot of hype surrounding them . So, naturally, I had my reservations about investing my time in reading this novel. But I am glad my curiosity got the better of me and I did not miss out on this beautifully written, atmospheric and moving novel about survival, a father’s unconditional love for his child, kindness, sacrifice and above all, grace.

“The thing about grace is that you don’t deserve it. You can’t earn it. You can only accept it. Or not.”

Cooper and his eight year old daughter Finch are living under assumed names in a remote cabin deep in the northern Appalachian woods. The cabin is owned by Cooper’s ex-army buddy, Jake who visits them once a year with supplies to last the duration till his next visit. Isolated, living off the grid their only contact with the outside world is Jake and their neighbor Scotland , who Cooper regards with more a little suspicion but whom Finch is fond of and considers her friend. Fond of animals with a love for reading and exploring the woods with her father and often on solo trips with a reasonable distance, Finch is curious of the world outside and of the people in it. 

Cooper suffers from PTSD which manifests in the form of panic attacks when triggered but is a loving and devoted father to Finch. When they notice a young girl on one of their walks in their neck of the woods, Copper is worried about being discovered , having his reasons for living the way he does ,however, with no friends of her own Finch is curious about the girl and eager to interact with people outside her little world. Cooper’s past and his reasons for him choosing to live the way he does is a mystery that is explored as the story progresses. Finch’s growing restlessness, Jake’s failing to appear on the designated date, the appearance of the girl close to his dwellings and other unforeseen events force Cooper to venture outside his self-imposed boundaries and as the tension builds Cooper finds himself in a situation that weighs heavily on both his and Finch’s safety and his conscience. As tensions build he is forced to make a difficult choice that would irrevocably alter their lives.  

With a slow start the narrative gradually picks up the pace as the story progresses and I felt my heart pounding through the last quarter of the book. With its compelling narrative, lush descriptions of the natural beauty of the Appalachian forests and its wildlife and a cast of characters who will touch your heart , These Silent Woods by Kimi Cunningham Grant is a novel that will stay with me for a long time. 

“I’ve always believed that if something was meant to happen, you’d have a second chance at it. But never have I been so bold as to believe in a third or even a fourth chance. Almost like the world was trying to hand you something good after all it had dealt you your whole life was heartache, like it had changed its position on who you were and what you could have. Call it what you will: karma or good luck or maybe something more. Grace.”