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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: Odd, but in a good way
Review: By far this is the most unusual book I've come across. The brilliant handling of characters and their psychological leanings reminds of nothing I've ever experienced. This book stands on its own and is completely unique. It's a coming of age novel, but with a twist, for while the "stories" are of coming of age at seven, ten, or fourteen years old, the narrator in the book is now forty and coming of age once again: He's having a mid-life crisis and "that" journey parallels the one he took when he was young. The psychological aspects of this book are mind blowing. The references to the "inner child," the physical and emotional abuse of not only the main character at an early age, but continuing up until he is forty, and the "repressed memories" that eventually make their way to the surface and explode into the sunlight are all part of the ingenious plot. This is not a light read, and it's not some piece of fluff that can be tossed aside. This is serious writing that will stay with you.
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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: The Bark of the Dogwood
Review: I am not a professional book reviewer.. I am probably like you, an avid reader who loves a great story and great writing. This book is the best book I have ever read. Jackson McCrae's dialogue in this book is nothing but outstanding. Please, do yourself a favor and read this over 562 page novel that I read in about 3 sittings...this is what writing is all about.
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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: What a Book!!!!
Review: I loved this book. It is laugh out loud, hold on to your side funny in places & hauntingly sad in other places. I love reading about the South & this one is definately a winner, but be warned it definately has its very dark side. One scene was especially disturbing & I really wish that the author could have left it out. Otherwise a very enjoyable book.
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Summary: The definition of a classic
Review: It's been said that the definition of a classic is that it changes everything that comes after it, and the way we look at everything that came before. If that's the case, McCrae's "Dogwood" will surely do that. It not only takes form to an entirely new level, but brings new meaning to the phrase "book of ideas" and the term "psychological." The immense volume of ribald frosted festoonery is staggering in this tale of intoxicatingly exotic travels, and the main character of Strekfus Beltzenschmidt is by far the most interesting yet created in the past three hundred years. McCrae is shameless in his use of drama, but it works, with twists and turns so new and fresh that they're only outdone by the author's impeccable sense of timing and insight into the human condition. And who would have thought that a book that ultimately deals with child abuse and psychosis could also be funny? Hysterical, in fact. The narrator of the work (again, Strekfus) has so many handicaps that they're too abundant to name. One, however is Dissociative Identity Disorder. It would seem that he's also blessed with ADD and a host of other ailments, making him the target for mistreatment by not only his parents, but teachers and fellow classmates as well. And this in turn is the reason for his ability to relate so strongly to other figures in the book: Helen Keller, the oppressed maid, minorities. Anyone interested in multiple personalities and the antics that illness can create must read this book. While it's certainly no self-help variety, it does offer an amazing portrait of how one individual deals with abuse, dysfunction, and mental illness, all carefully and for the most part couched in sometimes seemingly innocuous incidents that later explode with the subtlety of an atomic bomb. It's an excellent study in where humor comes from as well, for while were given some of the funniest incidents ever to grace the written page, we're also shown what "really" happened-what caused the "wrong and funny" remembering, a few chapters later. One word of warning: It's also been said that there's nothing new under the sun. One chapter toward the end of the book will change your opinion on that-you'll need to put the novel down at that point just to catch your breath as the author has written a scene like no other. How he ever came up with it is a mystery probably better left unsolved. Excellent dialogue, witty observations, clever premise, and remarkable execution of the ideas make this one of the best reads out there. The people are real, but with enough eccentricities to keep them interesting, and the form of the book is totally new. This is a book within a book, really, with a group of short stories making up twelve of the chapters. Around that is another book, set in New York. Each of these chapters comments on the other and while the "southern" chapters are verbose and sometimes a little purple, the New York ones are clipped and to the point. The juxtaposition of styles is remarkably different and yet it somehow works, again, adding to the DID or multiple personality theme. Toward the end of the book there is also a mention of anagrams and this is a clue about the sometimes complicated names in the book (Beltzenschmidt, Castratis, Straussgirdle, etc). Then there are the Latin names for some of the plants. Most of these are also anagrams. Fascinating. And to the author's credit, he doesn't explain all of them. It's not "right up front" as he probably figures you're smart enough to want to go back and figure them out. All in all a great read with laugh-out-loud moments and a "secret" that will keep you up at night. The tumbling exuberance of this brilliant novel, with its laugh-out-loud scenes and delving into the human heart is like no other.
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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: A compelling tale of the recesses of the human psyche
Review: Jackson Tippett McCrae's The Bark Of The Dogwood: A Tour Of Southern Homes And Gardens is a thoroughly engaging novel about Strekfus Beltzenschmidt, a Southern man living in New York City, and carrying a hazy past filled with fractured memories. Strekfus' quest to find the intellectual and emotional truth about himself and his personal history is a highly recommended and compelling tale of the recesses of the human psyche and cultural roots.
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