The Deadwood Beetle

by Mylène Dressler

A stirring novel follows Tristan Martens, a retired entomologist and aging recluse, who stumbles upon a long-lost family heirloom in a New York antique shop and must deal with the painful memories it carries with it. By the author of The Medusa Tree. Reprint.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mind-numbingly boring and over the top ridiculous.
Happy to have finished this one and thankful that I was able to obtain it from my local library as buying it would have been a complete and utter waste of money.

[Laura (booksnob) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a novel about one man's secret come back to haunt him late in his life. He struggles throughout the novel with telling the truth as the truth slowly unravels. It is a novel that reflects back on WWII and his family's role as Nazi supporters. It is a short book and worthwhile from my point of view. I really learned a lot about beetles from this book as well. Hence the title and story itself is themed around the study of beetles. Very fascinating book with a great storyline.

[Tamara Bennett · Rating 2 out of 5]

a very slow read. was originally intrigued by the 'mystery' of the narrator's past. was ultimately dissatisfied w/ the answer - not very thoroughly discussed & almost an afterthought. not clear. didn't seem to really end a story as much as the bk just stopped.

[Oops I ARC'd Again · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tristan Martens, a retired entomologist, spots his mother’s old sewing table in an antique shop. The kicker? There’s a carving underneath it: “When the Jews are gone, we will be the next ones.” That line ripped me open. Because the book isn’t just about guilt or memory—it’s about confronting what you once believed without ever admitting the full price.

His life is full of regrets, scars—visible and invisible. The way Dressler writes his flashbacks and his life now, the weight of history and choices is always looming. The relationship with Cora? Messy, fragile, and unforgettable. Tristan schemes, hesitates, and lies—sometimes to protect, sometimes because fear owns him. But love finds its way in the cracks of his shame.

Not gonna lie—parts move slowly. The reflections, the guilt, they build heavy. But that weight is the point. When the story pulls, it punches. You feel the age, the loss, the shame, and — in unexpected moments — grace.

If you want literary fiction that looks you in the eye and says “You cannot escape your past,” this one’s for you. It’s not easy, but it’s unforgettable.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ben bu kitabı yine New York’da ikinci el bir kitapçıda kitapsızlık zamanı buldum. Beğendim.. yaşlı bir böcek bilimcinin , Nazi Hollanda’sı anıları bir antikacıda karşısına çıkan bir masa ile gün yüzüne çıkar yeniden. Aşk-meşk- böcek-masa.. keyifli bir okumaydı benim için.

[Em Rendleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting perspective (and it did have some bugs in it)

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had planned to go last year to a reading retreat. In preparation for that event, I bought this and 3 other books. I don't think I would have ever found this book without the reading retreat. I missed the retreat, but found some great books.

Tristan Martens grew up in the Netherlands; moved to the US and studied hard. He is now a retired college professor living in New York City. As he is walking home, Martens unexpectedly seeing something from his past. It is his mother's sewing table.

Slowly, in my opinion, Mylene Dressler shows the reader what has happened in Martens' life. She also introduces the present owner of the table and the links that develop between Tristan and Cora.

One of the most interesting aspects of this book was time. For me, the actions in this book unfold little by little. I felt like things were moving at a glacial pace. This is not a bad thing. I found myself thinking the book through because of the tempo.

I will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow I give this book 5+ stars. I kept seeing this book in a couple of thrift stores and I would pick it up but not buy it. I did that for months and finally had to buy it. Not knowing what to expect I was automatically drawn in by the first page. This book is so beautifully written it’s almost poetic. The descriptions make you feel like you are there experiencing what is written. It’s about a man who discovers his deceased moms sewing table in a antique store. Not knowing how it got there at first, the owner said it belonged to her husbands aunt. He wanted it but couldn’t tell her why and he friended her to get close to her. The rest of the book is about why he wanted it, it’s also about his very controversial past and his complicated present life. It’s a must read and I highly recommend it .

[Megan Beauchamp · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story starts with an air of mystery that pulls you in. Tristan sees a table from his childhood in an antique store and begins a friendship with the owner in hopes of buying it from her. As their relationship progresses he tells her the truth of the last time he saw the table.

This book started strong for me but towards the middle I began to lose interest. The two main characters have conversations that are hard to follow and understand what they really mean. The mystery of the table is a let down and we are told quickly in the last two pages. It feels like an afterthought and could have ended much better. In general it is a pretty forgettable book that had some promise, which is kind of sad.

[Sundry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot to post about this until I was returning it to the library last night. Very interesting central concept, which I’ll tell about under a spoiler bar. Nothing you wouldn’t know from reading the jacket. This was one of those nice surprises discovered at the library. I was never really excited about this book while I was reading it, but I think it has very deft plotting. A good example of how to plant a question and then dole out hints.

SPOILER**

The plot stems from a septegenarian’s discovery of his mother’s sewing table in an antiques shop the story behind the message scratched onto the bottom of it. The last time he saw it was in post-WWII Europe

[Dorina · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the beginning, Tristan Marten walks into an antique shop to discover his mother's sewing table displayed but not for sale. Marten, a retired entomologist , is determined to it. He befriends the shop owner, Cora, in hopes to eventually acquire the table. Feelings start to emerge and the memories this table brings back into his mind! The perfectly paced story takes off from here and I don’t want to give away too much plot. The author interweaves stories from the past to provide us with insight into his life, history and does so wonderfully. The ending was a bit of a surprise as well. I highly recommend this book.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

heel mooi geschreven boek.

het gaat over een man die een tafeltje tegenkomt in een antiekwinkeltje en zeker weet dat het van zijn moeder is geweest. er staat iets aan de onderkant geschreven en alleen hij kent de waarheid achter de tekst. hij wil graag het tafeltje kopen maar de eigenaresse wil het niet verkopen. hij probeert op alle manieren het tafeltje als nog te bemachtigen.
je leert de hoofdpersoon een beetje kennen door middel van de flashbacks die hij heeft en hij beleeft daardoor de traumatische gebeurtenissen van de tweede wereldoorlog opnieuw.

zeker een aanrader om te lezen

[Andrea Sachs · Rating 2 out of 5]

A retired professor with a past. A younger woman with a husband in a coma. Tristan is a sad and lonely man, who can't forget his youth in Holland during the Nazi occupation. Cora is struggling with visiting her husband who never responds to her. The two meet and Tristan falls in love. But this is a sad story - and I found that I really didn't want to finish it, however, I persevered and I'm not sure it was worth the effort.

[Scott Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off with promise and then meanders aimlessly until the reader finally doesn't care about any of the characters or what happens to them.

It reads more like a person so family history written as therapy. The third star was a gift because the writing is above average. This thing needed an editor immediately.

[Dianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was promising-to start-engaging story-developed characters, then
the ball just got dropped. Like there was not enough time to write a proper ending. Oh well, you might like it more than I did.

[JennanneJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't much care for the characters or get drawn in to any of their stories. The past was given to us in bits and pieces, but even by the end, there wasn't really a "big reveal" or anything to justify this style.

[California Girl]

I am currently reading this book. Don't know what to say about it until I really get into it. Once I do I will let you know!

[Refmonster · Rating 4 out of 5]

historical novel with quiet intrigue, and some heft...

[Glynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

strong, quiet historical novel. I'll look for more by this writer...

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really awesome twist on an anti-Semitic viewpoint, heartbreaking, and not what I expected (in a good way!)

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unremarkable. The only thing I remember about it is that I didn't like it.

[Michelle Tackabery · Rating 4 out of 5]

An endearing, heart-breaking journey of lost love and painful memories that won't quit. How life keeps going on, and hurting, even when you wish it wouldn't.

[Pat · Rating 1 out of 5]

First chapter captivated me, and then it wandered all over with a ridiculous ending.

[Therése]

Beautiful, artfully descriptive and touching writing... lackluster plot and oddly stunted characters.

[Carol Noll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book better than I thought I would. I like the author's way with words. I was a little disappointed with the ending - I wanted more closure.

[Lana Hasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully constructed prose. I found myself re-reading certain passages.