Book Review: A History of Wild Places

By Jessica Oravec

In Shea Ernshaw’s A History of Wild Places, Maggie St. James, an author of dark fairy tales for children, has gone missing. Some believe she vanished because she couldn’t cope with the burden of missing children who had been looking for the underground — the place in her stories. Her parents hire Travis Wren, a man who can hold objects and see the afterimages of the person who left them behind. Maggie’s mom gives Travis one clue, “Pastoral,” before he sets off on his investigation. As he follows Maggie’s trail deeper into the woods, he discovers a community called Pastoral. And then he, too, disappears.

A few years later, Theo, a lifelong member of Pastoral, discovers Travis’ truck beyond the boundary of where anyone in the community is supposed to go. The woods aren’t safe; the trees are infected by the pox; and if anyone crosses the boundary, they risk bringing back the infection to the community.

The community is run by Levi, a vivacious yet pensive leader who makes hard decisions that he believes are best for Pastoral. But when a baby is born who needs medical help, the community is divided over what they believe is best.

As Theo and his wife Calla discover more about Travis Wren and find Maggie’s book, they realize that everything they thought they knew is wrong. As community secrets are uncovered, it is revealed that idyllic places aren’t always what they seem, and people can go missing in more ways than one.

Thrilling and atmospheric, A History of Wild Places is a story about fairy tales, the ideal community, and what happens when we get lost in the wilderness. It explores how our personal perceptions control our world, and how, sometimes, lies become the truth. This book will remind readers that no place is perfect, and that we must eventually face our fears.