Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens by Jackson Tippett McCrae ISBN: 0-9715536-0-2 Publisher: Enolam Group Pub. Date: May, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $28.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.88 (8 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: The Bark of the Dogwood
Comment: 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.
Rating: 5
Summary: The definition of a classic
Comment: 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.
Rating: 5
Summary: A rare thing
Comment: 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.
 |
Title: The Birth of Venus : A Novel by Sarah Dunant ISBN: 1400060737 Publisher: Random House Pub. Date: 17 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $21.95 |
 |
Title: Empress Orchid : A Novel by Anchee Min ISBN: 0618068872 Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co Pub. Date: 03 February, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.00 |
 |
Title: Isle of Misfortune: A Novel by Geoffrey Leavenworth ISBN: 0875652697 Publisher: Texas Christian Univ Pr Pub. Date: April, 2003 List Price(USD): $26.50 |
 |
Title: The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier ISBN: 0525947671 Publisher: E P Dutton Pub. Date: 29 December, 2003 List Price(USD): $23.95 |
 |
Title: Little Children : A Novel by Tom Perrotta ISBN: 0312315716 Publisher: St. Martin's Press Pub. Date: 01 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
