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Summary: Pass me them peas, Miss Celie . . . Sophia home now!
Review: Like "The Color Purple," "Prince of Tides," or "Secret Life of Bees," this book takes on Southern themes, family sagas, skeletons in the closet, and finally . . . hope. As with the aforementioned books, there's always plenty to go through with the main characters. There's plenty to worry over and fret while you watch them endure their own personal hell. This is what happens in "Bark of the Dogwood." And just like those other books, there is retribution, salvation, and life-affirming freedom and hope at the end. But "Bark of the Dogwood" is a little different. There's much more humor in the book than in most family saga novels, and the form is something totally unique. Using the framework of a novel-within-a-novel, Jackson McCrae makes use of not only style changes to shape the structure, but what are short stories that have allegedly been printed in the magazine he works for in New York. The result is an exhilarating swinging back and forth between two different mindsets, never allowing the reader to become bored of people, place, or style. One chapter leads into the next with such expert handling that it's hard to know if life is imitating art here, or the other way around. Full of family angst, racial tensions, self-analysis, and great characters, this book is destined to take its place among the other southern greats.
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Summary: Complex
Review: More complex than I first thought. The most unique thing about the book is its syle and form. Not quite like anything else I've ever read. The main character of Strekfus (later spelled with a "c" thrown in) is one of the most interesting character studies I've ever come across. Partially becuase I'm a fan of anything southern and partially because I like a good mystery I found this to be an excellent read. The Capote connections were compelling also as were the symbols and metaphors.
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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: Faulkner Meets Marquez
Review: The author manages (very cleverly) to blend lengthy Southern scenes worthy of Faulkner with the grand language worthy of Gabriel Marquez in a genuinely intriguing first novel.
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Summary: Major literary accomplishment
Review: The first thing that jumps out at the reader of this hilarious, dark, wonderful, and beautifully written tale, is the style of writing. It's something of a cross between Truman Capote, David Sedaris, and Fannie Flagg. And the Capote connection comes in for obvious reasons: The main character in this novel is named for him-Streckfus. Capote's real name was Truman Streckfus Persons and the similarities don't stop there. At one point it's explained that the father of the main character had a playmate in New Orleans with this very same name, and at the same time that Capote was visiting relatives in that, his hometown. Coincidence? I think not. The father figure that had the playmate ends up naming his son Streckfus. All of this is deliberate yet so deftly crafted into the book that could easily be missed by the average reader. The unbridled imagination of McCrae is thoroughbred, but if you can't keep up don't worry-the author has written in a "safety" element, that is to say, you can read this book for the great story that it is, without all the fancy bells and whistles that make it fodder for academics and the literary set. So if you're not one to look for the many layers this book has, you might be content with reading it for what it is: a knock-out tale, wonderfully crafted, by a talented writer. Suffice it to say that "Dogwood" won't disappoint you if you're looking for a plot that moves; one that is full of more than just a little sound and fury. There are enough twists and turns in this literary accomplishment to make you do a double take-and after each chapter at that. The surface story, while seemingly simple, makes its way through a labyrinth of characters worthy of a Dickens novel. Only with McCrae's structured and talented handling of these people are we able to keep them all straight. There are sign posts along the way-look more closely at this character, not that one. And myriad examples of subtle foreshadowing that seem innocuous. But beware, while "Dogwood" is at times laugh-out-loud funny, there is a dark underbelly that will challenge even the most jaded and tough reader. And while at times the scenes seem to meander away from the primary focus of the book, trust me, they don't. Every word is there for a reason, tied intricately to the plot. At the end of this stellar work everything comes together. Not in a plebian commercial way, of course, but in a way that will surprise you. It will seem so obvious where the book is headed; you'll be telling yourself you know the outcome. But wait, for what happens is truly amazing-a summing up of all that's come before; a bringing together of people places. And even material objects that before seemed to have no connection now are suddenly related as the last few chapters of the book unfolds. The final chapters are a tour-de-force of genius and bound to make you ask, "Where has this writer been?"
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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.
Rating:
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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Summary: Hard to find fault with this one
Review: There are few books that leave me thinking about just how clever the author has to be to pull the plot off and tie it all together. This is one of those stories. It's a wonderful, frightening, meander through the dysfuntional childhood/adulthood of one Southern boy. There are shocking, horrific passages here, expertly interspersed with ones of great humor and joy. Occasionally the novel borders on the wordy, and in spots was often repetitious, but these minor faults in no way impact the power of this story. Join Strekfus on his strange, heartfelt journey, you won't be disappointed.
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