The Bark of the Dogwood: A Tour of Southern Homes and Gardens

by Jackson Tippett McCrae

Book Overview

Asked to write a series of articles on Southern Homes and Gardens for a New York Magazine, Strekfus Beltzenschmidt (the main character in The Bark of the Dogwood) chooses not only some of the... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0971553602
• ISBN13: 9780971553606
• Release Date: January 2002
• Publisher: Enolam Group
• Length: 563 Pages
• Weight: 2.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Few will actually get it

While this is one of the funniest books I've ever read, it's also extremely complicated and in places, very disturbing. It's disturbing to think that anyone would focus on the violence in this book and not see the goodness it possesses. Below is a partial breakdown of some of the elements, but not all:TITLE OF THE BOOK: Strekfus, the main character, is a precocious six-year old who insists on using the Latin names for things (plants, flowers, animals). At one point, the African-American housekeeper insists that he use the phrase the "bark of the Dogwood" instead of the one he is using: bark of the cornus florida. This, while he's watching his father practically beat to death a young sapling. Strekfus never does acquiesce, at least until he titles the book, "The Bark of the Dogwood." It's his homage to the housekeeper after finding out exactly what her life was all about, and the incredible sacrifice she made for him. But given McCrae's penchant for word games (many of the names are anagrams), it's impossible to believe he didn't mean for "The Bark of the Dog" (without the wood) to mean something. There are myriad dog themes snarling through this book, and at one point, he's even reading a book by Truman Capote titled "The Dogs Bark." There are also two myths surrounding the Dogwood tree. McCrae tells us one, but only hints at the other. The first centers around the fact that if you beat a dogwood tree, it will bloom more profusely in the spring. This is one giant metaphor for the fact that Strekfus is an abused child. He's "blooming" by writing this book-the one you're reading. He's making something out of his life regardless of the bad experiences he's had. The second myth centers on the fact that supposedly the cross Christ was crucified on was made from a dogwood tree. When Strekfus's father is seen beating the dogwood tree, it's a double metaphor for not only beating his son, but for wrestling with the horrible overuse of religion that his family has been serving up for generations.TRUMAN CAPOTE: Capote is a main influence for this novel. One often feels at times that McCrae is actually channeling the voice of Capote. Truman Capote's real name was Streckfus Truman Persons. McCrae has obviously done his homework, for Capote fans will recognize the reference to the short story "Dazzle" from his "Music for Chameleons," in which Capote is coerced into stealing something to pay off a Voodoo priestess. The connection continues with the beginning of a story in "Dogwood" where McCrae purposefully imitates TC and his story "Children on Their Birthdays." The Capote story starts off "Yesterday afternoon the six-o'clock bus ran over Miss Bobbit." The McCrae chapter starts: "At exactly eleven fifty-three, the M29 bus ran over and killed Mr. Brad Castratis." There are too many connections to go into, but if you want to look for them, they're there: Streckfus reading "Breakfast at Tiffany's," the female roommate with the twelve-inch c

Race, memory, and family dysfunction

I initially picked this novel up in a bookstore, intent on scanning the inside flap and first few pages. An hour later, after repeatedly being asked if I needed help, a salesperson informed me that I should either buy the book or put it back. Unfortunately I didn't buy it, and as a result, lost an entire night's sleep over it. So now, after purchasing it and finishing it in two days, I'm happy to report that my instincts were right. What a book! Now I'm not getting any sleep because some of the chapters in the book keep me up at night-the images are that strong. A word of warning: there are passages in the book that deal with child abuse. This is not something to be taken lightly, but McCrae balances this with a good deal of humor and insight.If you're looking for a fun read with brilliantly drawn characters, a great plot, and writing that has no equal, look no further. This is the one book you'll want to read. It takes a truly talented writer to handle material that is as volatile as this, and you'll be glad you're in good hands when you get to certain chapters.The book is also very funny, with hysterical passages and incidents that will keep you laughing well after you've finished the book. I can do no more than recommend this book. The best by far that I've read this season.

Major literary accomplishment

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?"

The definition of a classic

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

A rare thing

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.