Review of Myrtlewood Memoirs
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
-
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 275
- Joined: 04 Aug 2022, 01:38
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 81
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emmanuel-onwuanaku.html
- Latest Review: Mindsponge Theory by Quan-Hoang Vuong
Review of Myrtlewood Memoirs
Myrtlewood Memoirs by Terry Woodall is exactly as the name describes: a memoir about the hardwood called Myrtlewood. The first part of the book focuses on everything to do with Myrtlewood. It talks about the wood's history, its origin, and the time period when people started using it for woodcraft. It even goes so far as to note religious references to Myrtlewood and its uses in the modern era. After that, Woodall goes on to discuss how he discovered the craft and how it became his passion. He describes his frustrations with his carvings throughout the years, as well as the different experiments he performed and the achievements that got him to where he is today.
I really appreciate how deeply the author delves into his process of learning, as well as the bits and pieces of memory that narrate the story of someone falling in love with their craft. This sentence is a great example of that: "When you get into this rhythm with a carving, it’s like playing the violin." I found it intriguing when he looked back on his earlier projects, except he did so with the perspective of someone who'd gained a significant amount of experience on the topic.
It is easy to feel the passion radiating off the pages while reading. I also really enjoyed the occasional pictures between chapters to give the reader a true sense of the finished pieces Woodall was describing. It was fascinating to see where his craft took him, including places as foreign as Japan.
As many times as Myrtlewood is mentioned, this book isn't just about that. Woodall goes so much deeper, trying to spread a message of hard work, dedication, and success with his story. The memoir aims to inspire. My favorite quote from the book is actually Woodall's mantra: "Be true to who you are and have faith, even blind faith, in the worth of your work." If I'm going to take anything away from this book, it will be that.
I truly can't find anything I dislike about this memoir. I have to give it 5 out of 5 stars. I recommend this to curious people who are fans of non-fiction stories that are compelling. This is a very niche interest, but if you're inquisitive enough to pick it up, you'll find it a very enjoyable read. Woodall was able to convey what it's like to have a passion that permeates every aspect of your life, and he does it in an engaging way. Great read.
******
Myrtlewood Memoirs
View: on Bookshelves
- Ogunkoya Mayowa
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 507
- Joined: 05 Aug 2022, 10:10
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 78
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-ogunkoya-mayowa.html
- Latest Review: Why Did Buffy's Fur Go Flat? by Erin Hill and Dr. Russ Hill
- Hubre De Klerk
- In It Together VIP
- Posts: 650
- Joined: 30 Jul 2022, 14:44
- Currently Reading: Forged in Death
- Bookshelf Size: 476
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hubre-de-klerk.html
- Latest Review: Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1) by Janet McNulty
- Reading Device: B075XP6ZZ4
-
- Book of the Month Participant
- Posts: 272
- Joined: 16 Jul 2022, 20:40
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 32
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-crossk.html
- Latest Review: Re-Making the American Dream by David Vaught