Adams Library Book Discussion – Heartwood by Amity Gaige

Heartwood by Amity Gaige is a suspenseful literary thriller about the search for missing Appalachian Trail hiker Valerie Gillis in the Maine wilderness, blending search-and-rescue procedural with deep character studies, particularly focusing on complex mother-daughter relationships through Valerie's journal entries and the perspectives of Warden Bev Miller and birdwatcher Lena, exploring themes of resilience, self-reflection, and finding connection amidst loss.

Novel Heartwood is loosely based on the tragic true story of Geraldine Largay, a nurse who went missing and died while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine in 2013, though the book uses the real event as inspiration for a fictional narrative with different characters and plot points. It borrows elements like the setting in the challenging Maine woods and the hiker's profession but creates a unique story focusing on themes of survival, loss, and human connection.

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