Dogwood

This book is so fantastic. I was torn between reading slowly to savor the story, and reading quickly to see what was going to happen next. Reading quickly won out. I chose to read Dogwood rather than watch WVU play UNC in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Now I must tell you that it is the ultimate compliment that I willingly ignored any WVU game, much less a WVU bowl game! I loved the fact that the author gave me just enough clues to keep me very interested and wondering what the mystery was without giving it away till the END. I can't remember the last time I was ever more surprised with an ending! Now that I've read Dogwood quickly I plan to go back and savor the story more and come to know Will and Karin even better. I doubt the second reading will be my last. Congratulations Chris on your first adult novel. May there be many more.

It is sad that anyone would read Dogwood by Chris Fabry and refer to it as a Christian novel and that therefore they found it hard to read. Individuals with that reaction are very much the same people that the story talks about, the members of the Christian church that rejects the returning convict without knowing the whole story or members of a community who do not want foreign elements coming back like a cancer, ignoring the cancers right before their very eyes. If that is an indictment of the readers, I must apologize because Will Hatfield, Chris Fabry's protagonist, does not recent the anger he encounters, but rather understands and empathizes with it, while at the same time refusing to accept it. This novel, unlike so many previous "Christian novels" deals with the real world in real world terms that some might find offensive. I did not. Quite the contrary. I found Fabrey's way of handling the realities of life honest and at times lyric, which is what makes it something special. This is a story of love, of faith, of true sacrifice. It may indeed be pushing it a bit to put this novel on the level of allegory, yet there are parallels between Will Hatfield and Tom Joad, Steinbeck's hero from The Grapes of Wrath. I found it hard to put this novel down, and when I finally got to the weekend and didn't have to put it down, I didn't! I am very proud to see Tyndale publish a novel of this magnitude. I am exceptionally impressed with Chris Fabry's first attempt at an "adult" novel, and I look forward to many more. Anyone wanting a dynamic, powerful, moving novel to read has to pick up Dogwood and read it on its own terms. I am sure that you will not be disappointed.

I picked up Dogwood yesterday, and pretty much didn't (couldn't) put it down until I finished this afternoon. Fabry's writing had me from the first page. I love his wit - not too in-your-face; just enough to keep me smiling throughout. His use of metaphor is flawless. His character development was rich. His theological content was deep without being preachy. And His twists caught me at the end. Honestly, it isn't the type of book I typically read. However, I thoroughly enjoyed it cover-to-cover. There was a depth, a sweetness, and (for lack of a better term) a melancholy that drew me in and wouldn't let go. Fabulous book!

Reviewed by Lori Plach for Reader Views (6/08) Hindsight is 20/20. If you had your life to live over again, would you do any thing different the second time around? All of us would probably want to change some of the things that we have done over the years. Does one of the things you want to change include losing your first love? Or, perhaps making a critical mistake which changed your plans for the future? Will Hatfield has made the mistake of leaving both things -- his future and his first love. It's now twelve years later and he is leaving Clarkston prison and returning home to Dogwood, West Virginia. Is it possible that Karin is still waiting for him? Karin settled for second best. She has married someone reliable and a good father to their children. However, she doesn't have passion or that intense feeling for her pastor husband. Why does her friend Ruthie insist on Karin traveling with her to Clarkston to see Will before his release from prison? Just what does she hope to accomplish? Danny Boyd is dealing with some issues on his own. Will he ever be able to come to terms with killing his own sisters by his own reckless act? Will Danny make amends by changing the course of other people's lives even though he can't remedy what he did by carelessness? Chris Fabry has written his first novel for adults. He is a very talented author; I hope he writes more novels like this one. There are so many twists and turns along the pages of this book, that makes it a very difficult one to put down until you reach the last page. "Dogwood" will captivate you from cover to cover.

It has been twelve years since Will Hatfield was sentenced to Clarkeston Federal prison, but he is about to be released in two months. He has a great desire to see the family farm in Dogwood, West Virginia and Karin the only woman h ever loved. When he went to prison, she never answered his letters as she made a new life for herself in a passionless marriage with three children she adores. When Will comes home, he is not greeted like the prodigal son as most locals believe he should have spent his life in prison for his crimes; even his brother would be happier if he left. The family has been dragged through the sewage due to Will's DUI vehicular homicide of two innocent girls. He is attacked at the place he used to work and the town tries to take the farm away from him due to eminent domain. Karin is coming to learn the truth ABOUT THE SACRIFICE Will made for her. On the surface DOGWOOD seems like a straight line story with Danny the brother of the dead sisters receiving counseling because he blames himself for their deaths. Karin tries to be happy in her situation while Will shows patience as he waits for Karin to realize the truth. None of the peoples' stories are quite what they appear as the revelations are quite shocking. Chris Fabry has written a heart wrenching character driven tale as each of the key players feels guilt while praying for redemption and a fresh start. Harriet Klausner