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Brother's Blood: A Heartland Cain and Abel
Paperback, 211 pages
Published
September 1st 2011
by Ice Cube Press
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I read Scott Cawelti’s book Brother's Blood, and I’m sad to say I found it very disappointing. My first objection is that he chose to market it as nonfiction. Except for the notes at the back, this book is primarily a work of fiction. Mr. Cawelti follows the basic outline of the true-life murder case, but spends the majority of the book attributing fictional dialogue, thoughts, actions, and—especially annoying—dreams to the characters. These are conjured completely from the author’s own mind and...more
Creative or literary nonfiction has wide boundaries. Some contend it is nonfiction that happens to use the "styles and techniques" of literature while remaining true to the facts. In other words, writers don't make things up, they style things up. Others believe those literary techniques include creating dialogue or giving characters various attributes or thoughts as long as those elements are based on or arguably supported by actual events or facts.
Author Scott Cawelti makes clear from the out...more
Author Scott Cawelti makes clear from the out...more
In 1978 I began work as a prosecutor Delaware County, Iowa which is about forty miles east of Black Hawk County. The prosecution of the Mark case was legendary in the area. Over the years I met many of the those in law enforcement who worked on this case. Dave Correll was very helpful to me in learning the ropes in my first few years. Tom Ruxlow was involved with several cases that occurred in my county. In 1986 I went to work for the Iowa Attorney General, and assigned to an office at Iowa Stat...more
Cawelti bases his story on the murder of Les Marks and his family by his older brother Jerry. To make his story more compelling Cawelti "takes poetic license" to create dialogue, dreams, and to fill in details not entirely supported by factual evidence. Cataloging this would drive my school librarian nuts, is it non-fiction, fiction, or as Cawelti describes it, "creative non-fiction."
The story is interesting and Cawleti presents a strong case for the older brother's guilt. But, since the blur...more
The story is interesting and Cawleti presents a strong case for the older brother's guilt. But, since the blur...more
I remember the murders of the Leslie Mark family in Nov. of 1975. We had lived in Cedar Falls at the time. I remember feeling so bad for this family to be executed in their beds as they were. Why and what for? Especially, the little children that were murdered for no reason, never to have been able to grow up and become wonderful adults.
I will never understand why someone, especially a brother, would want to do this. Revenge, money, anger, jealousy? A life means more than any of these things.
Ho...more
I will never understand why someone, especially a brother, would want to do this. Revenge, money, anger, jealousy? A life means more than any of these things.
Ho...more
As a student at the University of Northern Iowa, I worked for the county conservation department. One day we were leading a canoe trip. As our van traveled down a gravel road a woman I worked with pointed out an unassuming farm house and told me I man had murdered his family there years ago. She couldn't remember details. I have been intrigued ever since. Cold blooded multiple murders are not common in Iowa and this was right around the corner from where I went to school, lived, and worked for y...more
I've been waiting for this book to come out, for as long as Cawelti has been writing it! The Mark murders have always intrigued me, because of the proximity to our cabin. Also, I received a handwritten note from Jorjean Mark, several weeks before I entered college, to ask my consideration in joining the Greek system. A few months later, she was gone.
That being said, I almost gave this book 5 stars. In part, Cawelti's written word is not as good as his spoken ones. I've attended several of his le...more
That being said, I almost gave this book 5 stars. In part, Cawelti's written word is not as good as his spoken ones. I've attended several of his le...more
I read this book because I graduated with Les and knew many of the names and some of the people involved in the case. I also know the author. Because I wasn't living in CF at the time of the murders and the trial, I heard the rumors and the allegations of what really happened. This book brought it together for me. The fiction intertwined with the non-fiction did keep me engaged. After reading Part 2: Sources ... would have preferred it to be included in Part 1. That said, it was still an interes...more
I finally managed to finish this book but, boy, it was a struggle. That’s an unusual thing for me to say about a book in one of my favorite genres (true crime), although the “truth” of the story is somewhat debatable since it’s related in a fictional manner, a la “In Cold Blood.” Oh, if only it were even one-tenth as well written as “In Cold Blood!”
The truth is, this book is so poorly written that in places it’s barely readable. I’m still stunned that it was written by an English professor. I’m...more
The truth is, this book is so poorly written that in places it’s barely readable. I’m still stunned that it was written by an English professor. I’m...more
It was interesting to read, mostly because it all happened in my home town with real life people that I actually know. Like when it mentioned the funeral director who took away the bodies, I know him, been at his place a million times & belonged to the same church as him. Also, the mom used to be our neighbor at the house I grew up in, ok, so she was there after I went to college, but my mom & dad know her. So all in all it was an interesting read.
This is a true crime book about a family that was murdered by the brother. The Marks family was the first murder in Cedar Falls, IA and they are distant relations of Dale's. The author worked this case and gives insight into the murders. The story is interesting but mostly because it happened in my hometown, I remember when it happened, I recognize many of the names in the book and Dale is a distant relative to the Marks family.
Very weird book; hard to believe Interesting to me mainly because it took place in my home town of Cedar Falls Iowa, and my parents knew the judge in the case and some of the other characters. Very hard to comprehend how the murderer could have committed such a horrific act, and left himself with such a lame alibi. The book would have been much better if it had at least attempted to explain this.
You have a compelling local story and turn it to crap. The writing was terrible and there was speculation added by the author that added no merit to the story. A fine example of why multiple drafts and editing are needed before publishing.
It was an ok book but felt rushed at times and some parts of the story felt a little glossed over. Also the proof reading of the book needs serious work as I have never read a book with so many obvious errors (i.e paragraphs being reprinted etc).
Here is a link to my review of "Brother's Blood": http://jchariscarlson.blogspot.com/20...
I wanted to like this more. I'm from Cedar Falls, vaguely remember the crime and trial (i was a child), and know some of the people who were involved with the case. Somehow, though, this just didn't seem like a satisfying telling. I'm not sure what exactly is lacking here...it just felt distant.
This isn't bad, and it's a very quick read. If you enjoy reading true-crime tales where there is no real mystery, you may like this. You may also enjoy it if you have some connection with the place or fam...more
This isn't bad, and it's a very quick read. If you enjoy reading true-crime tales where there is no real mystery, you may like this. You may also enjoy it if you have some connection with the place or fam...more
Loosly based on facts found in the investigation, I was interested in learning more about the murders. It wasn't a good book to read before bedtime...too disturbing. I thought it was good how the author kept it as factual as he could.
I liked the story and the facts. Overall I did not get that suspense feeling. It dragged at times.
Feb 05, 2013
Robyn
added it
Jan 01, 2013
Jim Minteer
marked it as to-read
Dec 15, 2012
David Towle
added it
Sep 19, 2012
Jeannie
marked it as wishing-for-don-t-have-yet
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Jan 20, 2012 09:17pm