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Summary: And that's what I like about the South
Review: By far this is one of the most controversial and unusual books out there. It deals with the idea of the old South and the new, mixing the two worlds together in a way that will disturb you, yet make you laugh. One reviewer was correct in saying this isn't like other books--it's in a league by itself.
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Summary: An absolute knock-out!
Review: Ever hear a great song on the radio just as you're pulling into the drive, and you stay in the car just so you can listen to the whole thing? That's exactly what reading "Dogwood" is like. That is not to say that there won't be moments when you have to put the book down just to catch your breath. There are a few scenes that will cause your jaw to hit the floor. You may not like them, but I guarantee that you've never before read anything like them or even seen these images in movies. I frequently had to reach up and physically close my mouth at certain points. Then I'd find myself laughing hysterically at some of the things the main character would get into. The novel builds toward a powerful climax that may be hard to take. My advice is to stick with it. The ending is especially rewarding and sure to touch you. Please don't be put off by some of the more disturbing scenes. They're there for a reason, which is to show us how heroic someone could be. And here's where I have to admit something . . . I actually read this book twice. Believe it or not. It's really not that long-the type is large and the sentences are spaced far apart. I read in one review where some moron said the book needed editing. Think not. Every sentence in there is connected in some way to the main idea of the book, whether it's the "baby" idea, the theme of race, or simply the colorful and sometimes verbose southern descriptions. One great read from beginning to end---this one's a keeper.
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Summary: Where humor comes from
Review: For me, this book was an interesting study in where humor comes from. It's been said that all laughter comes from sadness or truth, and Jackson McCrae seems to be one of the first to explore this idea full out, in novel form. There are some hysterical passages in this work, but later we're shown what prompted the narrator (Strekfus Beltzenschmidt) to make these statements and come up with the stories he did. Graphic, sometimes violent, but always entertaining. I read an average of four books a month and this is the only one I can recommend hands down.
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Summary: Somewhat disappointing
Review: I love novels about the South, and this one started out well. I got the feeling, as I continued to read, that the author wasn't sure that his readers would get the messages (interconnectedness, the legacy of abuse, and others) that he is trying so hard to convey, so he had to beat us over the head with them. The excessive repetition of themes and the poor quality of the editing ("This...led [sic] credence to the myth that he subsided [sic] entirely on the stuff..." - p. 186 - just one of multiple examples) were so annoying that I started skimming sections instead of reading every word. There was much that I liked, some instances that made me laugh out loud, but overall, not a book that I would recommend with enthusiasm.
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Summary: A rare thing
Review: It's rare to come across such a well-written book as this. While the premise alone is enough to pull you in (A New York magazine writer is asked to write a series on Southern homes and gardens,only to choose the homes he grew up in and visited as a child), the execution of this major work of fiction is astounding, coupling different literary styles and voices with alternating chapters. If you're one for metaphors, symbolism, snappy dialogue, well developed characters, and a plot that will make your head spin, this book is for you. But what's so amazing about it is that it can be read on so many levels. If you're looking for a good story, this is it. If you're looking for something that has several layers to it, complete with anagrams, puzzles, and double-entendres, this is also it. It's actually a book within a book--quite a unique structure, and the settings swing back and forth between New York and the South. There's running commentary on Southern traditions, what it's like to live in NY, and a little of everything else. The characters are so well thought out that they virtually leap off the page, especially those of Althea (the black housekeeper) and the evil boss (Edwin Sagaser). But the most remarkable character is Strekfus (named after Truman Capote--his real name was Truman Streckfus Persons). It's through his eyes that we see two different views of how things are. First, we are shown, via the "short stories," how he'd like to remember things. Then in the New York sections we get to hear the "stories" argued over. Toward the end of this complex and exciting novel we come to find out what really is behind these amusing tales and folks, be prepared, because it's one hell of a mystery that gets solved. There are scenes that will curl your hair, one especially about three-quarters of the way through this work. This is not for the faint-of-heart, but stay with it, for the end is especially rewarding and full of promise. The flavor of the book, and even some of its themes of race, conflict within the human heart, and growing up, are likened to Kidd's "Secret Life of Bees," though "Dogwood" moves along at a faster clip. This is one book you'll want to pass on to a friend.
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Summary: Angels & Demons
Review: Strekfus Beltzenschmidt is the main character in this novel by Jackson T. McCrae. He's quite a strange child, and it's not clear exactly what's "wrong" with him. There have been references made to autism, Asperger's syndrome, or possibly multiple personality. Whatever the case, a good part of the action that takes place when he is a child in the 1950s and 60s. Back then I suppose there was no real diagnosis for whatever he had. So around he goes, spouting the complex Latin names of plants and animals. I'm told that children with Asperger's do this, or something like it, showing marked intelligence but a lack of elementary everyday understanding. Also those who have certain types of personality disorder display this behavoir. It has something to do with having a traumatic event take place at an early age. This would explain a lot. Strekfus, regardless of what he has, is not the best communicator and suffers from all sorts of social problems. This is partially due to the parenting he had, or the lack of it. There's a clue to his "psyche" in one of the beginning chapters in the novel where young Strekfus is asked to take a psychological exam. He fails miserably, in part because his "rationale" is so far off. He takes a long and complicated way around getting to the truth and what he wants to say. Again, this is a clue as to the writing in this book. Dogwood is really written by Strekfus, not McCrae. He's telling us the story of his life and doing so in a rather round about way. He's smart enough to not just put the tale out there-he devises a series of short stories, then has these commented on in the chapters that appear in between. In my opinion, this is an ingenious method of getting his story out. But in the process he discovers some rather graphic and horrible truths about his family. In the end he has to come to terms with what happened and in doing so call it by its rightful name. Remember, all along he has been using the Latin names for things, so now he's forced to communicate like everyone else-or at least try to. The end result it seems would be this book and this is where the title actually comes from. What happens to poor Strekfus is not pretty. Child abuse never is. And to have Asperger's or whatever syndrome on top of it only adds to the sadness. But the fact that his life was saved at one point by the only person who loved him, is a touching end to the nightmare he has endured. I found parts of this book extremely funny, despite the subject material. There are scenes that will cause you to laugh out loud. We all have issues to wrestle with, but Strekfus makes the most of his life and continues on despite the odds. On another note, while this does not look like a quick read, it actually is. I read the entire book in three sittings. The type is larger than normal and easy on the eye. The cover is also beautiful (when you finally get the book) and the binding is hardcover and cloth--something not too many publishers do in this day and age. Over all it is an excellent read.
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Summary: What goes around, comes around
Review: The main idea of this book is probably unfortunately lost on many. The idea of karma and of everything returning to you is one of this novel's themes. This is brought out in the end when the main character brings us full circle and pulls everything together. Also enjoyed the pop culture references from the seventies that are sprinkled throughout the book.
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Summary: What goes around, comes around
Review: The main idea of this book is probably unfortunately lost on many. The idea of karma and of everything returning to you is one of this novel's themes. This is brought out in the end when the main character brings us full circle and pulls everything together. Also enjoyed the pop culture references from the seventies that are sprinkled throughout the book.
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Summary: One of a kind novel can compete with the best of them
Review: The main problem with a novel of this type is that many will not get all that was put into it. The average reader will simply enjoy it for the interesting story that it is and completely miss all of the research and underlying themes that McCrae has imbedded into this work. Having done scholarly research on both Helen Keller and Truman Capote, not to mention almost every other southern writer from the United States, I can fully appreciate all the author's research for this book. The bad news is that most of it will be over the average reader's head. Take for instance the many back-and-forth references and ideas, such as the Keller quotes at the beginning of each chapter. How much research do you think the author had to do before he found these quotes (all from the same book no less) that matched up with the subject matter of the stories? It all works together as the quotes are taken from a book titled "The Story of My Life" by Keller, mirroring the main character's story in "The Bark of the Dogwood." This is just one small example of the research. The connections with Truman Capote are relentless and after the first twenty or so, I simply gave up looking for them. The most obvious one is that the main character is named for Capote whose real name was "Streckfus." Then there are the constant references to snakes throughout the book. Unless you've read a biography on Capote you wouldn't know that he had a fear/fascination with these creatures to the extent that he collected snakebite kits and even their skeletons. Capote was actually bitten by a Cottonmouth as a child and he makes reference to this is his first book, "Other Voices, Other Rooms," which I believe "Dogwood" to be based on structurally. The snake theme also appears to be connected to the idea of a "garden," i.e. "The Garden of Eden." This in turn is an oblique reference to the idea of "homes and gardens" and the religious themes and/or discourses that flow through the text. As I said, it's all connected but not in a straightforward way. It's as if the author has woven a tapestry, pulled the threads out for you to see, and then stitched them back together at the end. Another segment of this novel that will go over most people's heads are the anagrams. A reference is made to this toward the end of the book, giving a clue that the reader should go back and revisit the novel if so desired. A note about the connections of people and objects in the book: Given the incredible research that the author put into the work, not to mention the ability to handle a variety of writing styles with ease and wit, I find it hard to believe that he didn't mean some of the connections to be tongue-in-cheek. That is, I felt he was poking fun at the idea that everyone in the South is connected in some way. Those who are unfamiliar with southern customs will not recognize that the author means this in a humorous way. If you've ever spent any time in the south you know that one of the first things someone asks you, are questions about whom you might be related to. But as with so many elements in this book, its fine points will be lost on the average reader. Having lived and taught for over ten years in the American south, I can attest to this quirky behavior and its high amusement factor. True, one should not and does not have to know these elements to enjoy this book, but it helps. The main problem with a piece of literature such as this is that nothing like it has ever been written before. We have no benchmark to judge it by and therefore must judge it by itself. This is not a difficult task when you consider that the author has built in enjoyment and enlightenment on just about every level. I can only highly recommend this major work of fiction and hope that everyone will seek it out.
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Summary: When bad things happen to good people
Review: The premise for this novel is quite unusual: A New York magazine writer is asked to do a series of articles for a "House & Garden" magazine. This assignment just happens to coincide with the death of the African-American housekeeper that raised him in Alabama. On the way back home to attend her funeral, he has an idea-why not write about the homes he grew up in as a child, or visited. Why not write about the black housekeeper's home? And so he does, much to the chagrin of his boss. There is a power struggle over the content of these articles (which actually turn into short stories) and therein lies the plot for the New York section of the book. The Southern section of the book (the short stories) has its own plot, and together with the New York sections, provides us with a bird's-eye view of what's really happening. While the main character weaves his short stories, what's really behind them emerges in the New York chapters via stress, workplace problems, power struggles, dreams, and ultimately a nervous breakdown. The memories of child abuse, his psychotic parents, and the only person who ever loved him, cause Strekfus (the main character) to finally confront the horrible event that has shaped his life up until this point. The book is actually written by this main character as his tribute to those who did and didn't love him. It's a homage to the housekeeper who saved his life, and in more ways than one.
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