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Liked It “will in jail for a crime he didn't commit. he was, wrote letters everyday. love part was better than romance novels. slow at beginning” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Some people might say "the end justifies the means." I don't really agree--I personally didn't like the mystery throughout the book that was abruptly solved in the last couple of chapters. It kept me interested, but I didn't really like any of the characters.”
sixpalz wrote this review Saturday, June 27 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“will in jail for a crime he didn't commit. he was, wrote letters everyday. love part was better than romance novels. slow at beginning”
YF wrote this review Tuesday, April 14 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“what a surprise ending!! felt like you needed to start over again just to see what you missed. good read !! christian fiction”
michele c wrote this review Monday, February 2 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“It seems the whole town of Dogwood has been affected by a single tragic event, but there is more going on than appears. Will goes to prison for his wrongdoing and Karin, his old girlfriend tries to come to terms with the event that changed their lives. ”
Jeanie wrote this review Tuesday, October 28 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I went into this really hoping to like it, and I was not disappointed. Fabry’s prose was exquisite. I was drawn into the writing even before the story – although the characters hooked me in soon enough. Twists at the end rounded out a deep, sweet, almost melancholy work. Very highly recommended.”
Steve Yohn wrote this review Sunday, August 24 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“What an amazing story! While there were several different characters and viewpoints, for the most part they were distinct enough where I could keep track of them. At any rate, this story was a page turner. I loved how the author dropped little clues on a trail which led to the culmination of the story. While not perfect or super-spiritual, the ending was still gratifying despite the tragic undertones. For the majority of the story, you aren't quite sure what the whole issue is with Karin, but begin to suspect a little bit more as the story moves along. It's so bittersweet, yet surprising. And beautiful.
MichelleSutton wrote this review Friday, August 8 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This story left me wanting to mull over the the details even after I finished it. Kind of like I did with the movie "Summersby" starring Jodi Foster and Richard Gear. Yet Dogwood didn't leave me with a "bummer" feeling like some novels have. In fact, I grew more fond of Will as the story progressed, despite what had allegedly occurred before he went to prison. And kind of like in the movie "Dead Man Walking," I wanted to obsess over what could have happened differently to prevent the incident in the first place. My heart ached for him.
Then as the truth slowly came out, a tragic sense of loss hit me deep inside, but it mingled with rejoicing as things were revealed. There were some intense moments in the story when I thought for sure it was over for Will. The suspense was killing me as was his unrequited love and longing for Karin. The scenes that went back to that tragic year were particularly powerful. The emotion was totally gripping, and it was so precious to get to know Will's heart so much that he felt like a real person to me.
I can see this movie becoming a Hollywood feature film. In fact, it was so well done I felt like I was living in Dogwood as I read the story. Rarely does a novel strike such a deep chord in me like this one had. This story is not only well worth reading, but sharing with friends, too. It would make a fabulous book club selection because it was so thought-provoking and edgy. And I SO love edgy because I love anything that makes me think and feel things on a deeper level.”
“At a loss in . . . Dogwood
hopeofglory wrote this review Sunday, August 3 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
This has been a rewarding summer in the reading department. The CFBA blog tours have provided an ample selection of valuable novels, and my other selections have exceeded or at least equaled my high expectations for the choices I’ve made.
Now to add to the growing collection of worthwhile novels: Chris Fabry’s first adult novel, Dogwood. The West Virginia native, “husband of one and father of nine” as he likes to say, has authored over 50 children’s and young adult books, and he is the host of the “Chris Fabry Live!” on Moody Radio, the Love Worth Finding broadcast. Suffice it to say his credentials are no small potatoes.
I cannot pinpoint how this happens, but some writers just inspire me to flex my writing muscles—to get down to it again, dive in for total immersion, engaging that story which simmers in my mind’s eye. Chris Fabry’s writing did that for me. He made me want to be better, to encapsulate myself within the words absorbing them into my bloodstream in order to somehow produce a living, breathing story. Oh, I know the feeling, but with this blog I’ve gotten away from “the novel” for awhile, and now it’s like I’m starving myself—or maybe it’s just finally occurring to me that I’m ingesting a bunch of junk food and trying to “live” healthy. Regardless of analogies, his writing is rewarding, so wonderfully and at the same time painfully real, that I remember what it feels like to “compose” a story. Thank you for that, Chris.
Dogwood is a multiple character study of several members of the small town, the protagonist Will facing his release from 12 years of prison, the memory of his first and only love keeping him sane and almost hopeful. The vision of his dreams for the future, Karin, is struggling with a tormented existence which she perceives as empty, lifeless, and corrupted by her memories and rekindled desires for Will after being convinced by an elderly friend to visit him not long before his release. She spends most of her nights in her closet unable to sleep.
The town of Dogwood has not forgiven Will for the car accident which slaughtered the children of one family, and he returns to hateful stares and trouble keeping a job. He learns a good friend from his youth has disappeared, and nothing seems right about the speculations as to his whereabouts. His strained relationship with his brother and the menacing threats from the new sheriff all add up to more misery, difficulty, and obstacles for Will’s realization of any kind of dream.
The subplots and intersections of all these characters reveal an intricate connection to one another. I haven’t decided if I’m completely in agreement with the choices made for the ending of this novel, but I’ll tell you this: the writing makes up for my differences with the plot direction and makes it more than a worthy read. I know I’ve been saying this a lot lately—and I know when someone reviews a book with superfluous comments, it can get old and seem a bit dishonest—but I truly loved this book.
The primary reason for my feelings is that Chris presents so many depictions of people and circumstances planted in a reality and voiced by individuals who you or I as a reader have either seen or known in our actual lives. They become familiar and you would recognize their voices and attitudes even if the chapters weren’t titled with their names. There are only a couple of stereotypes—easily noticed without my identification—but for the most part this story puts you smack dab in the middle of small town America with an angry attitude, a hypocritical desire to make someone pay, and a grudge to hold for as long as necessary. Contrasted to that is a love so deep and inextinguishable, it holds you captive with its hope—even when you wonder if it’s okay to hope for its consummation.
This is a beautiful story written oh so well. Read it if you can.
”
“ Chris has a quote by Jackson Browne in the front of the book that speaks volumes about this story “I think that life is full of pain…It’s painful for everybody…Growing is painful. But I think that the only way through it , is through it…and anything that helps is a blessing”. The author shows his characters dealing with the pain of life in many different ways.
Nora wrote this review Sunday, September 14 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
My mind and emotions were impacted as I read the first page. Ruthie Bowles helps Karin find answers and peace in her lonely days and sleepless nights. “I have been staring at the hornet’s nest called life, afraid to live, too stunned to move. Ruthie was the one who drew the poison from my soul.” Karin admits. Chris Fabry delivers word pictures like this all through this story. The imagery is powerful and thought provoking.
“Life isn’t pretty so you’ve got to hug the ugly out of it,” Ruthie said to Karin.
I loved the depth of gut level honesty these women share with one another. A close relationship develops between this most unlikely pair Ruthie and Karin. As I read I kept wanting to find out the tragedy and heartbreak that happened in this small town named “Dogwood” that brought so many people together and changed their lives forever.
In the first 4 chapters the author develops individual characters and their situations. Chris makes it easy to know who’s speaking because the character’s name is on top of each new chapter. Before he takes you to the next chapter and a new character ; the author leaves you hanging and wanting to learn more about the character he just introduced. After the 4th chapter I started wondering if and when these people’s lives would intersect. The story really builds up to this intersection of lives. Then it happens their worlds collide in a fast paced action packed climax. Chris Fabry has woven these people’s lives and this story together in a fascinating way. Chris has written many books for children. This is his first adult fiction story. I can’t wait to read what he writes next; you’ll be looking for his next book too!
Nora St.Laurent
www.psalm516.blogspot.com”
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