Dogwood
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About Dogwood
I
wrote a story about the small town I'm from in West Virginia, changing the name to Dogwood. There are some really great people in small towns. But small towns have long memories and in this locale, the people have a hard time forgiving Will Hatfield for what he did. Still he returns, intent on pursuing the only woman he 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 best she can.
The secrets of Will and Karin's past begin to emerge through Danny Boyd, a young boy who wishes he hadn't survived the tragedy that knit those two together as well as tore them apart. But the trigger that will lay bare their past and force them to face it is the unlikely figure of Ruthie Bowles, a withered, wiry old woman whose prying and persistence forces unexpected consequences.
I really love the story of Dogwood and hope you will as well.
Got a minute? Let Chris tell you a little more about the road that leads to Dogwood...
Dogwood wins the Christy!
It was the best of times and the worst of times. I was sitting with my daughter in a hotel ballroom in Denver, CO, listening to the first lines of my novel being read. My friends at Tyndale were sitting behind me, joyous. Other author friends looked on and smiled. They knew what our family had been through in the past year. It was a wonderful gift that God gave in this award. |
| Photo by Wynn-Wynn Media |
But I couldn't help but think of the rest of the family back in Arizona as I stood there. And the emotion came through my acceptance speech. I've learned that emotion is not a bad thing, although I still have a hard time embracing it. Erin's eyes were filled when I returned to the table and she hugged me.
I'll have to admit, I dreamed of being nominated last year for Dogwood. I never thought it would happen. I hoped it would win, but with all that's gone on with us, I figured if it did, I would get hit by a bus crossing the street before the ceremony.
I'm grateful that Tyndale gave me the opportunity to do what I wanted to do--tell a story. I'm grateful for those who have read Dogwood and see the allegory of Christ's love and sacrifice through the contemporary tale. If you haven't read it, please do. And let me know what you think after you've finished it.
Click here to find out more about the Christy Awards and see a full listing of the 2009 winners.
What reviewers are saying...
"Fabry . . . has written an unusual and emotional tale with a startling twist."
"Fabry's first novel for adults builds tension and momentum until you're compelled to keep reading to learn the secrets that have so greatly impacted the residents of Dogwood. Ultimately a story of love and forgiveness, [Dogwood] should appeal to a wide audience. Highly recommended."
"Fabry's debut adult novel is filled with twists that will leave readers speechless."
"Fabry's plot is intricate and involved with more twists than a backwoods country road. [Dogwood] is a page-turner that keeps the reader guessing until the end."
"Dogwood turned out to be something I wasn't expecting at all . . . a book about deep secrets, the effort it takes to heal catastrophic hurts, and a thriller with an excellent plot climax."
"Chris Fabry's debut adult novel, Dogwood, is a mosaic of humanity, God's grace, and the power of love. Solidly literary fiction with deep, flawed characters and beautiful prose, Dogwood also contains a mystery within the story that adds tension and a deepening plot. . . . Fabry is a wordsmith and quite a storyteller."
"Dogwood will captivate you from cover to cover."
