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5th out of 13 books
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7 voters
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Dogwood
by
Chris Fabry
2009 Christy Award winner In the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance from her deep passions and conflicts leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three small children and "do life" the best she can. Will returns to Dogwood intent on pursuing the ...more
Paperback, 341 pages
Published
August 1st 2008
by Tyndale House Publishers
(first published 2008)
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DOGWOOD
By Chris Fabry
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
352 pages
ISBN# 978-1-4143-1955-1
Back Cover:
“There are losses that mark a life forever…but I still had hope that our lives could be salvaged from the past.”
Will Hatfield returns to the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved – lonely to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. Karin has buried h...more
By Chris Fabry
Published by Tyndale House Publishers
352 pages
ISBN# 978-1-4143-1955-1
Back Cover:
“There are losses that mark a life forever…but I still had hope that our lives could be salvaged from the past.”
Will Hatfield returns to the small town of Dogwood, West Virginia, intent on pursuing the only woman he has ever loved – lonely to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison. Karin has buried h...more
This was the author's first fiction book for adults and received the Christy award--I think it was probably because the author tackled the tough topic of a wife being in love with another man.
It took me several chapters to even figure out what was going on. Each chapter was about a different character and a vague unnamed event that only gradually unfolds and the characters relationships to each other were even more vague.
Once the story got going, there were some 4-star an...more
It took me several chapters to even figure out what was going on. Each chapter was about a different character and a vague unnamed event that only gradually unfolds and the characters relationships to each other were even more vague.
Once the story got going, there were some 4-star an...more
Dogwood by Chris Fabry is a short novel that I found a bit hard to follow at first. It got off to kind of a slow start but takes some unexpected turns along the way that made for interesting reading. It’s about Will who is in love with a girl from high school that he decides is worth waiting for, even though it means being an ex-con and returning to his hometown which doesn’t want him back. This book is about illusions. Things are not what they seem. I’m glad I finished it because it did ge...more
I just loved this book! At first the authors style of writing threw me as it is told in short chapters with the character's name at the top so that you knew which point of view was being told. But it was really fascinating as you continued to read and the plot unwove itself one strand at a time. Its a small time town with a sad story that comes to light slowly as you hear it from each character's perspective. This was a book where I truly did not see it coming until I read it- the author got...more
Of course I have read worse books in my life, but I can't recall one at the moment. This was so cringingly terrible over-the-top awful that I got to a point where I just laughed, not in a good way; in the way you laugh at the zipper down the back of a yeti in a ScyFy channel movie.
It's impossible to review this book without spoilers since it had this cheesy "The Sixth Sense" type of ending that's supposed to make you gasp in surprise and rethink all you've read before it. ...more
It's impossible to review this book without spoilers since it had this cheesy "The Sixth Sense" type of ending that's supposed to make you gasp in surprise and rethink all you've read before it. ...more
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This book suck you in right from the beginning. It's a murder mystery with a spiritual element. There is a lot of talk about God, what He wants for one of the characters, etc, to the point where it made me uncomfortable. I was rolling along with the story, and then suddenly at the end of the book there was a very strange twist. VERY strange. It seems like the author was trying to write his own sort of parable. Perhaps he's a minister of some sort? The ending just left a bad taste in my mo...more
I've been really busy lately and haven't had time to post a review of this book. I wanted to say that, knowing this book is from a Christian publishing house, I was very curious about how they would handle the situation of a married woman being in love with another man. It is an interesting story with a number of twists. I probably could have predicted the big twist at the end, had I been trying to do so, but I wasn't, so no complaint there.
If I had a complaint, it would probably be th...more
If I had a complaint, it would probably be th...more
Laura
rated it
I enjoy the way Fabry turns a phrase. He seems to enjoy language and crafting word flow that complements his setting, plot and characters. He's a bit of a word dancer... that skill is even more evident in his latest: Almost Heaven, but Dogwood is a solid read, too. Intriguing plot - I guessed some but not all of the twists-and-turns. It sometimes delves into the realm of corny, but the word-craft helps smooth those rough edges.
From back of the book - Small towns have long memories, and the people of Dogwood, West Virginia, will never forgive Will Hatfield for what happened. Still he returns, intent on pursuing the only woman has has ever loved - only to find there is far more standing in his way than lost years in prison.
Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three children and survive the ...more
Karin has buried her shattered dreams by settling for a faithful husband whose emotional distance leaves her isolated. Loaded with guilt, she tries to raise three children and survive the ...more
I saw this advertised on Focus on the Family web site and I checked it out of the library. It is a story with twists and turns. In some ways it reminds me of Charles Martin's books...he has something to tell you through the back door. Chapter 14 had a lot of good soul care:
God puts every one of us here for a purpose. There's some pull on our lives that draws us toward that purpose, and the farther we go away from it, the more unhappy we are. The closer we get, the more we yearn ...more
God puts every one of us here for a purpose. There's some pull on our lives that draws us toward that purpose, and the farther we go away from it, the more unhappy we are. The closer we get, the more we yearn ...more
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 be...more
Just finished this one. I didn't love it, although from the jacket cover, it seemed as though I would. It took place in West Virginia, a rural town. Two young lovers had a fateful night/mornign that affected the rest of their lives, terribly. The book kind of goes back in time and recounts, but it is so choppy, it is difficult to follow In the end we find it is all not what we thought. I didn't like that the ending turned everything I was believing, inside out. Didn't love this one.
The first couple chapters, I kept saying to myself, "Huh, what's goin' on here?" I stuck w/ it & there are quite a few story lines, but I am enjoying it. At this point I am not certain where it will end up, as that will determine my overall recommendation. But, the book is keeping my attention - which is usually tough for me.
I finished DOGWOOD, and am now re-reading it! Crazy, I know - there was something there, that I need to read again.... ended strong!
I finished DOGWOOD, and am now re-reading it! Crazy, I know - there was something there, that I need to read again.... ended strong!
At first I thought this might be another enjoyable read with a predictable plot. And, in fact, I did figure out certain elements of the plot quite quickly. However, without wanting to provide future readers with any clues, I will say that when I realized what the true message of the book was, I was deeply moved. God used this powerful novel to give me perspective on a crucial element of my faith.
Loved it, loved it! Chapters told from viewpoints of various characters but it was easy to keep track of their voices. Flashback chapters were dated so as not to be confusing.
I was at turning point in the story last night when my dh wanted to go to sleep, it was SOOOOOOO difficult to put the book down and have to wait to finish it today.
I was at turning point in the story last night when my dh wanted to go to sleep, it was SOOOOOOO difficult to put the book down and have to wait to finish it today.
I grabbed this at the library, knowing nothing about it at all. Amazing read! All events in the book take place because of something that happened in the past--but they don't come out and tell you what it was. You figure it out, but it is more than what it seems at first. The ending was terrific, completely unexpected.
I brought an advanced readers copy of this book back from ICRS (the International Christian Retail Show)along with a dozen other books. Knowing that I wasn't going to read it anytime soon, I gave members of my writers group the opportunity to read it first. The first person to grab the book was an 83 year old lady. She brought it back the next week, refusing to tell us anything about the book other than she loved it. Next a much younger person took it home and returned it with rave reviews, but ...more
Great writing style nicely worded. Each chapter is told by a different character relaying different bits of their own history until they all start talking about the same incident at the same time...ending is stupid and predictable, but I loved it up until then - a real page turner.
This Christian fiction novel is set in the small, rural town of Dogwood, West Virginia. It is the author's debut novel, and was a Christy Award winner. Some very interesting topics are tackled such as what people are capable of doing for monetary gain, coming to terms with extremely painful events from the past, and the amazing sacrifices a person might make when they truly love someone. I would probably give it 4.5 stars if that was possible. The book was extremely enjoyable to read, and parts ...more
Catherine Richmond
added it
Recommends it for:
those experiencing the dark night of the soul.
After serving a prison sentence for a DWI that killed three children, Will returns home to the scorn of his small town, the love of his life, and a police corruption scandal involving meth. This novel won a Christy in the Contemporary Standalone category.
It's littered with all the common sense "-isms" that I know in the back of my mind, but still need to be reminded of. I felt a little cheated by the ending, though it did answer the questions that were left unanswered throughout the story.
So there were a few minutes that I felt like the author packed too much of a message in some of the dialogue, BUT I still loved it . . . the twists and turns, the sacrifice, the love, the suspense. It was good.
I thought it was a great book. I had a hard time putting it all together at first and was very concerned about the nature of the way a man felt about a married woman througout the course of it. But at the end everything came together nicely and I really enjoyed the read.
Entertaining! Lots of twists and turns. I wasn't real crazy about the first person pov, as it left me a little confused at time. But it was full of suspense, and definitely not predicatable.
I saw this ending coming a mike away. The character development was not great and the actions of the characters were not believable. I'm glad I finished it because now I'm done :)
I loved this book from the first page. Ending was a little quick - that is my sole criticism. It was a page-turner, but I had to slow myself down to enjoy the depths of this book.
If you like books that have a MAJOR twist at the end, this is a book you have GOT to read! Dogwood ends and leaves you paging through the book again and re-reading parts. A must read.
I generally would not even finish a book that would earn such a low rating, but this one is such a quick read I decided to get through it. The story idea is fine, and there are some interesting twists to the plot, but it actually reads like an outline of the novel the author is planning to write.
Valerie Teeling
added it
I would give this book more stars if they were available. An intricately woven plot! "Ruthie" one of the characters shared wisdom that requires extra pondering.
Really liked this book. Surprising ending. Some unrealistic aspects. Would make a good selection for a book club. Christian fiction without being too "over the top."
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