Publisher:
N/A

Publication Date:
11/17/2021

Copyright Date:
N/A

ISBN:
9798985284119

Binding:
Paperback

U.S. SRP:
N/A

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THE ROCK GARDEN: AND OTHER STORIES

By Dan Newland

IR_Star-black
IR Rating:
4.7
Part biography, part travel guide, Dan Newland’s THE ROCK GARDEN AND OTHER STORIES is a touching ode to the author’s hometown and one of its most beloved residents (not named Neil Armstrong).
IR Approved
A poignant collection of non-fiction short stories centering on a larger-than-life historian and his decades-in-the-making backyard temple.

Dan Newland’s THE ROCK GARDEN AND OTHER STORIES is a fitting reminder that a book simply can’t be judged by its cover. Despite the unassuming title set against a dreary, overcast sky, Newland’s non-fiction anthology is a remarkably captivating read. Key to this is Newland’s prime subject, Jim Bowsher, and his famed rock garden. As he outlines in the book’s introduction, Newland actually grew up in the same town (Wapakoneta, Ohio) as Bowsher, attended the same school, and shared many acquaintances. Despite their proximity, decades would pass before the two would officially meet. Newland moved to South America back in the early seventies to pursue journalism while Bowsher remained in his hometown. While Newland’s writing career blossomed in Argentina, Bowsher began work on what would eventually become the Temple of Tolerance, a massive stone structure erected on his property.

A work in progress some twenty-five years in the making, Bowsher’s temple merges his two areas of interest: history and folk art. A sight to behold (photographed by Mary Jo Knoch), the temple was envisioned as a judgment-free place where young people could gather. The monument consists of hundreds of tons of rocks harvested from the surrounding countryside, each recovered, cataloged, and placed by Bowsher himself. The Temple of Tolerance soon became a travel destination, and to this day, Bowsher’s temple remains open to any and all who are interested in touring the grounds. Newland describes his first visit to the temple in exquisite detail, painting a vivid picture of Bowsher’s property (which includes a barrel-shaped house dating back to prohibition) for readers.

While THE ROCK GARDEN AND OTHER STORIES includes an overview Bowsher’s life and times, the book is hardly a run-of-the-mill biography. Beyond the rock garden and the Temple of Tolerance, Newland recounts a fascinating road trip he took with Bowsher and even touches upon an urban legend involving a decade’s-old unsolved murder. As with all great storytellers, Newland has the ability to transform even the most mundane anecdote into an adventure of epic proportions. Newland and Bowsher may have spent the vast majority of their lives unaware of each other, but the camaraderie that develops between them is the heart and soul of this book. Additionally, the author’s decades of writing experience shine throughout. From his initial description of Bowsher’s property to the downright comedic play-by-play of the pair’s impromptu road trip, Newland succeeds in painting a picture so vivid readers will likely feel like they were there. In fact, the only substantial criticism here is that THE ROCK GARDEN AND OTHER STORIES feels painfully brief. This is likely due to the abbreviated nature of Newland’s visit with Bowsher, but readers will undoubtedly feel pangs of disappointment upon reaching the final page. That said, Newland’s deep love and appreciation for western Ohio is palpable from cover to cover (a fact that this writer, who just so happens to live a few counties east of Wapakoneta, can personally attest to).

Part biography, part travel guide, Dan Newland’s THE ROCK GARDEN AND OTHER STORIES is a touching ode to the author’s hometown and one of its most beloved residents (not named Neil Armstrong).

~James Weiskittel for IndieReader

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