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Martha's Vineyard Mystery #2
The Woman Who Walked Into The Sea
When elderly, censorious Shakespearean scholar Marjorie Summerharp, a good swimmer, drowns off Martha's Vineyard, Jeff Jackson, fisherman, amateur chef, and sleuth, is on the killer's trail
215 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1991
163 people are currently reading
450 people want to read
About the author
Philip R. Craig
27 books102 followersAuthor Philip R. Craig passed away on May 8, 2007 after a brief battle with cancer.
Phil left three completed novels, which have now all been published posthumously. Vineyard Stalker came out in June of 2007 just after Phil's death. Third Strike, co-written with Bill Tapply, came out in November of 2007. The final J.W. Jackson mystery, Vineyard Chill, is on the shelves now. Another J.W. book is partially written, and may someday be completed by his family per his instructions, so stay tuned. Delish, the cookbook co-written with Phil’s wife Shirley Prada Craig, is also still available.
The Philip R. Craig website will be maintained as a tribute to my father and his many fans. ~ Jamie Craig
Phil left three completed novels, which have now all been published posthumously. Vineyard Stalker came out in June of 2007 just after Phil's death. Third Strike, co-written with Bill Tapply, came out in November of 2007. The final J.W. Jackson mystery, Vineyard Chill, is on the shelves now. Another J.W. book is partially written, and may someday be completed by his family per his instructions, so stay tuned. Delish, the cookbook co-written with Phil’s wife Shirley Prada Craig, is also still available.
The Philip R. Craig website will be maintained as a tribute to my father and his many fans. ~ Jamie Craig
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
April 25, 2023
This book was defiantly better than the last.
I’m still not sure why my friend gave these books such a great recommendation, though. I’ll try one more.
I’m still not sure why my friend gave these books such a great recommendation, though. I’ll try one more.
July 29, 2018
I am not sure what it is about this series that I really like, and yet I am drawn in. The "mystery" is almost an after thought. Mr. Craig tells the story straight: great MC, clear and vivid descriptions, and plausible situations. I am learning a lot about Martha's Vineyard and fishing as I am working my way through the series!
July 22, 2020
Death in Vineyard Waters (originally published as The Woman Who Walked Into the Sea)
Major Characters:
Dr. Marjorie Summerharp, who walked into the water
Dr. John Skye, professor at Weststock College
Jen and Jill Skye, John’s twin teen daughters
Dr. Ian McGregor, who ‘collects women as honey collects insects’.
Dr. Helen Barstone
Dr. Bill Hooperman
Tristan Cooper, caretaker of mystical stones
Hans and Marie Van Dam, owners of Sanctuary
J. W. Jackson, ex-Boston cop
Zee Madieras, J.W.’s girlfriend
Locale: Martha’s Vineyard, island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Synopsis: Ex-cop J. W. Jackson, retired after an injury, is now a year-round resident of Martha’s Vineyard. He meets up with a collection of academics, centered around aging Marjorie Summerharp and her protégé, young Ian McGregor. They are collaborating on an article about a purported new work of Shakespeare which has been found; which they posit is genuine. Summerharp goes for her usual early morning swim and does not return, until her body is caught up in a fishing net. Ian McGregor seeks J.W.’s help in finding if there was foul play, perhaps from someone in the tight-knit Shakespearean academic community, who could be threatened by their work. This alliance proves to be troublesome, as J.W.’s girlfriend, Zee, now takes up with Ian.
Besides the academics, others include the Van Dams, who operate a semi-religious retreat called Sanctuary, on land leased from Tristan Cooper. There are rumors of illicit happenings at Sanctuary. Cooper serves as caretaker of ancient stones on his property, which he maintains have sacred/astrological significance.
Review:
Craig obviously knows Martha's Vineyard. His character of J.W. strikes me as a male version of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone: both are ex-cop private eyes, living a simple and solitary life. I will be seeking out the other titles of the series. I was saddened to find Craig has passed away. The writing is warm and real. The repartee with the twins is amusing and serves as a relief to the drama.
The ancient stones story line is interesting, and the stones described are similar to those found in Mystery Hill in New Hampshire.
A map of Martha’s Vineyard would have been helpful to the reader, perhaps it was included in the original hardcover version. I did find one in his Vineyard Enigma.
A couple of peeves: Craig uses the terms ‘thesis’ and ‘dissertation’ interchangeably, which they are not: A thesis is generally written in attaining a master’s degree, while a dissertation is a more complex form written in attaining a doctorate. Second, he repeatedly uses the term ‘final draft’, which is an oxymoron. A draft is, by definition, a preliminary version of a document and cannot be a final version.
Major Characters:
Dr. Marjorie Summerharp, who walked into the water
Dr. John Skye, professor at Weststock College
Jen and Jill Skye, John’s twin teen daughters
Dr. Ian McGregor, who ‘collects women as honey collects insects’.
Dr. Helen Barstone
Dr. Bill Hooperman
Tristan Cooper, caretaker of mystical stones
Hans and Marie Van Dam, owners of Sanctuary
J. W. Jackson, ex-Boston cop
Zee Madieras, J.W.’s girlfriend
Locale: Martha’s Vineyard, island off Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Synopsis: Ex-cop J. W. Jackson, retired after an injury, is now a year-round resident of Martha’s Vineyard. He meets up with a collection of academics, centered around aging Marjorie Summerharp and her protégé, young Ian McGregor. They are collaborating on an article about a purported new work of Shakespeare which has been found; which they posit is genuine. Summerharp goes for her usual early morning swim and does not return, until her body is caught up in a fishing net. Ian McGregor seeks J.W.’s help in finding if there was foul play, perhaps from someone in the tight-knit Shakespearean academic community, who could be threatened by their work. This alliance proves to be troublesome, as J.W.’s girlfriend, Zee, now takes up with Ian.
Besides the academics, others include the Van Dams, who operate a semi-religious retreat called Sanctuary, on land leased from Tristan Cooper. There are rumors of illicit happenings at Sanctuary. Cooper serves as caretaker of ancient stones on his property, which he maintains have sacred/astrological significance.
Review:
Craig obviously knows Martha's Vineyard. His character of J.W. strikes me as a male version of Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone: both are ex-cop private eyes, living a simple and solitary life. I will be seeking out the other titles of the series. I was saddened to find Craig has passed away. The writing is warm and real. The repartee with the twins is amusing and serves as a relief to the drama.
The ancient stones story line is interesting, and the stones described are similar to those found in Mystery Hill in New Hampshire.
A map of Martha’s Vineyard would have been helpful to the reader, perhaps it was included in the original hardcover version. I did find one in his Vineyard Enigma.
A couple of peeves: Craig uses the terms ‘thesis’ and ‘dissertation’ interchangeably, which they are not: A thesis is generally written in attaining a master’s degree, while a dissertation is a more complex form written in attaining a doctorate. Second, he repeatedly uses the term ‘final draft’, which is an oxymoron. A draft is, by definition, a preliminary version of a document and cannot be a final version.
January 18, 2022
Jackson and Zee meet two professors, Marjorie Summerharp and Ian McGregor, who will be occupying their friend's house while he and family go on a vacation. Marjorie is nearing retirement and and very straight forward, whereas McGregor is early in his career and definitely a lady's man. Zee is definitely smitten. Margery goes for an early morning swim every day until one day she goes missing. When she shows up in a fishing boat's net, at first all thought it was an accident. However, McGregor pays Jackson to look into it. Jackson finally realizes that at the time that Margery must have gone for her swim the tide would have taken her the opposite direction from where she was found.
Jackson asks too many people the wrong questions, showing his knowledge of hidden secrets. This brings out the culprit, but almost almost kills both Zee and Jackson.
Jackson asks too many people the wrong questions, showing his knowledge of hidden secrets. This brings out the culprit, but almost almost kills both Zee and Jackson.
September 21, 2023
At first, they thought the fictional Marjorie Summerharp drowned while swimming off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard. But retired Boston cop Jeff Jackson doesn’t buy it. Since retiring to the vineyard following a disability that resulted from an on-the-job shooting, Jackson has learned the tides and how they work. He is a solidly good fishermen, and knowing those tides is part of why that’s the case. Based on his knowledge of the tides, he realizes she couldn’t have drowned where they said she did. He insists this was neither an accident nor a suicide. Someone murdered her.
Summerharp was a catty hate-filled woman who would verbally level you to the ground rather than give you the time of day. Hate was the currency in which she traded, and misery was the shroud she wore. As a result, there’s a long list of potential suspects.
Professor Summerharp was in town as part of a group of academics studying the authenticity of a document found in a private library that purports to be an unpublished Shakespeare play. One of these academes has the hots for Jackson’s new girlfriend, Zeolinda (Zee) Madieras. She seems to kick Jackson to the back of the toybox like last year’s Santa leavings. She returns the scholar’s ardent interest with a similar level of breathlessness, which leaves poor Jackson miffed, sometimes jealous, and always out in the cold. Ironically enough, it is that academe, Ian McGregor, who hires Jackson to investigate Marjorie Summerharp’s death.
Before this ends, Jackson will have beaten the scholar nearly to death, and the non-spiritual you might even go so far as to quietly cheer with every blow. You’ll learn why if you read this.
The suspenseful ending involves drugs, a nasty storm, and a seriously troubled ocean. That’s a combination that works memorably well. Enjoy it.
Summerharp was a catty hate-filled woman who would verbally level you to the ground rather than give you the time of day. Hate was the currency in which she traded, and misery was the shroud she wore. As a result, there’s a long list of potential suspects.
Professor Summerharp was in town as part of a group of academics studying the authenticity of a document found in a private library that purports to be an unpublished Shakespeare play. One of these academes has the hots for Jackson’s new girlfriend, Zeolinda (Zee) Madieras. She seems to kick Jackson to the back of the toybox like last year’s Santa leavings. She returns the scholar’s ardent interest with a similar level of breathlessness, which leaves poor Jackson miffed, sometimes jealous, and always out in the cold. Ironically enough, it is that academe, Ian McGregor, who hires Jackson to investigate Marjorie Summerharp’s death.
Before this ends, Jackson will have beaten the scholar nearly to death, and the non-spiritual you might even go so far as to quietly cheer with every blow. You’ll learn why if you read this.
The suspenseful ending involves drugs, a nasty storm, and a seriously troubled ocean. That’s a combination that works memorably well. Enjoy it.
February 15, 2025
I enjoyed this second volume in the series even more than the first. J. W. Jackson is a former Boston police officer who has a work-related injury that forced his retirement. He now lives on Martha's Vineyard and spends much of his time fishing and clamming. He sells his most of the fish to certain restaurants. At a party at a friend's home, he meets a number of university professors who teach/research literature. Two of them are currently writing a rather controversial book about a possible segment of an unknown play by Shakespeare. One of them, Marjorie, is known to swim in the ocean every morning; until one morning when her body is discovered in the net of a commercial fishing boat. J.W. and some others suspect it's not an accident or suicide.
Since Marjorie was known for being "difficult" there are quite a few possible suspects and J. W. is looking in to all of the possible motives, etc. Suspense builds to a late night desperate sailboat race during a storm.
As I read this one, the type of case, plus the clever banter, began to remind me of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. I will definitely be reading the next in the series. This book was also published as Death in Vineyard Waters.
Since Marjorie was known for being "difficult" there are quite a few possible suspects and J. W. is looking in to all of the possible motives, etc. Suspense builds to a late night desperate sailboat race during a storm.
As I read this one, the type of case, plus the clever banter, began to remind me of Robert B. Parker's Spenser series. I will definitely be reading the next in the series. This book was also published as Death in Vineyard Waters.
May 26, 2020
AUTHOR Craig, Philip R.
TITLE Death in Vineyard Waters
DATE READ 05/24/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE We were on the clam flats at the south end of Katama Bay.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Mystery/1991/avon mystery/ 244 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #2 J.W. Jackson/Martha's Vineyard mystery
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 100/120;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 1991/MA -- Martha's Vineyard
CHARACTERS J W Jackson / former Boston cop; Zee (Zeolinda) nurse and girlfriend
COMMENTS Nice to visit Martha's Vineyard via this series. In this outing there are a several professors working on various publications living near JW. Marjorie Summerharp is in her 70's and very strong willed, some would say a little crusty, crabby … she definitely shared her opinions even if not popular. She is also a woman of routine and swims every morning. One morning she does not come back from her swim. JW, an avid fisherman, knows the tides and knows something is not right. Good series.
TITLE Death in Vineyard Waters
DATE READ 05/24/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE We were on the clam flats at the south end of Katama Bay.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Mystery/1991/avon mystery/ 244 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #2 J.W. Jackson/Martha's Vineyard mystery
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 100/120;
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 1991/MA -- Martha's Vineyard
CHARACTERS J W Jackson / former Boston cop; Zee (Zeolinda) nurse and girlfriend
COMMENTS Nice to visit Martha's Vineyard via this series. In this outing there are a several professors working on various publications living near JW. Marjorie Summerharp is in her 70's and very strong willed, some would say a little crusty, crabby … she definitely shared her opinions even if not popular. She is also a woman of routine and swims every morning. One morning she does not come back from her swim. JW, an avid fisherman, knows the tides and knows something is not right. Good series.
April 7, 2025
This is a pretty good second mystery in the Martha's Vineyard series. While not as much fun as Philip R. Craig's first book, it is, nevertheless, a decent who-done-it.
Craig's humor does not shine as thoroughly; it is a darker story. Early on a newcomer to the island drives a wedge between protagonist J.W. Jackson and his lover Zee. J.W. mopes around for a good portion of the book, until he decides to discover if a supposed suicide victim has really been murdered.
Still well written, I like the reoccurring characters. I am also curious how they develop in future novels in this 19 book series.
Craig's humor does not shine as thoroughly; it is a darker story. Early on a newcomer to the island drives a wedge between protagonist J.W. Jackson and his lover Zee. J.W. mopes around for a good portion of the book, until he decides to discover if a supposed suicide victim has really been murdered.
Still well written, I like the reoccurring characters. I am also curious how they develop in future novels in this 19 book series.
September 27, 2017
Professor Marjorie Summerhill seems to have a criticism for all she meets, but her death is deemed an accidental drowning. Ex-Boston cop J.W. Jackson realizes that something doesn't add up and is paid by Professor Summerhill's co-author to find out what really happened. Along the way he'll discover secrets that many are willing to kill for. This series was short-lived due to the untimely death of the author, but I love the setting (Martha's Vineyard) and adore the realistic romance between J.W. and Zee.
May 25, 2017
With about 1/3 of the book left I had figured out the mystery. That didn't bother me, what did bother me was how long the final conflict played out between J.W. and the murderer. It really bogged down the ending.
September 26, 2018
I am reading the series in order of publication to enjoy watching the developing relationship between JW and Zee. Interesting characters, great scenery, and I love all the positive comments about libraries and librarians.
Read
October 10, 2020(E-Lib) I love reading about the lovely Martha's Vineyard lifestyle in these books. In this one, I was sad about who the victim was and shocked by who the culprit was. I'm glad JW and Zee patched things up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
A Cozy Read
I Wanted to give it 3.5 stars but gave it 4 because it's a cozy mystery and it was a very enjoyable, light read The climactic sail boat chase toward the end was the most action packed part.
I Wanted to give it 3.5 stars but gave it 4 because it's a cozy mystery and it was a very enjoyable, light read The climactic sail boat chase toward the end was the most action packed part.
February 7, 2025
Interesting book, twisted plot, and ending, I didn't see coming. Detectives Jeff Jackson and Zee Madieras team up to a little madness, mayhem, and murder on the beautiful and quaint Martha's Vinyard ! Enjoyable crime novel !!
July 22, 2025
Engaging with some interesting academics.
Very well crafted. I honestly felt like I was on the Vineyard. Seemed quite real. Moved along fast and definitely kept my interest all the way through.
Very well crafted. I honestly felt like I was on the Vineyard. Seemed quite real. Moved along fast and definitely kept my interest all the way through.
June 15, 2017
Entertaining book which I actually bought while visiting Martha's Vineyard. Enjoyed reading about places I had just seen. A little too much fishing info, but some funny dialogue.
July 10, 2017
J.W. and Zee never fail to delight.
March 20, 2018
Good story, excellent mystery. A little slow at times. You need to sort of sit back and let it take you along.
October 11, 2018
Even a nice guy can be a murderer. I'm not giving away anything.
May 31, 2019
Enjoyable series so far. Likeable characters. Straightforwardly written. Like some other series, the mystery itself almost becomes an afterthought, coming in second to character.....
April 7, 2020
It was a great story with a lot of twists and turns. The characters are great
August 3, 2020
JW is the sort of person you would want to poke with a stick if you knew him but is quite entertaining on the page. I enjoyed this immensely.
February 20, 2023
Enjoyable New England whodunnit
April 11, 2023
Just,as,good for the second time around.
To anyone who enjoys a fast paced mystery with in dialogue and a little travel info and of course some romance!
To anyone who enjoys a fast paced mystery with in dialogue and a little travel info and of course some romance!
May 31, 2023
3.5 rounded up to 4.
April 9, 2024
Well thought out stories, good environment, good food and believable characters. The author never fails to entertain.
July 7, 2025
the fishing and the lifestyle were VERY interesting to read about. It was pretty predictable who was gonna be killed BUT it was not so clear who the killer was.
March 16, 2025
Written by a man. A good story. Way too many fishing descriptions. I’m going to get my husband to read it. He’ll enjoy it.
August 3, 2016
Death in Vineyard Waters by Philip R. Craig is the second book of his Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series, set on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1990s. Original published title was The Woman Who Walked into the Sea. Protagonist J.W. Jackson is a retired Boston policeman, living year-round on Martha’s Vineyard, fishing, clamming or raking quahogs daily. A bullet lodged near his spine caused his retirement from the police force, but he is still well qualified to solve island cases.
“My world was usually one of fish and fishermen, but now might again include crime and criminals. I was aware that I was enjoying the variation in my routine and linked it to the almost forgotten pleasure of police work in Boston. Occasional snooping seemed to appeal to me. I wondered if that was good or bad.”
Esteemed university professor Dr. Marjorie Summerharp has come to Martha’s Vineyard for a few weeks in the summer with a younger colleague Dr. Ian MacGregor. They plan to finish a joint paper on a newly discovered work by Shakespeare. Before publishing to an academic journal, they must convince themselves beyond any possible doubt of its authenticity – to avoid public humiliation by avid critics. Marjorie has already announced her retirement, so has little concern about reputation, but she has been a harsh academic critic in her long career, and made enemies along the way. Ian has his professional reputation to lose.
Marjorie kept herself fit by swimming early each morning. One morning she did not return from her swim. A boat found her body 6 hours later. It seemed like an accidental drowning. However J.W. knew the tides would have moved her body far away from where she parked her car, if she had simply drowned while swimming. He began investigating any professional contacts or potential adversaries on the island.
The story abounds with convincing red herrings: Marjorie could have been killed just before she revealed an anomaly in a dissertation and ruined a reputation, or she could have been about to reveal illegal doings at a resort, or several other possibilities. Each of the suspects J.W. interviews has a secret to hide.
A major emotional setback for J.W. is the instant attraction his island lady-love Zee has to MacGregor. J.W. spends a lot of time distracting himself from thoughts of Zee by intensely fishing or researching at the library.
“Libraries are treasuries. They’re mountains of information in which you can delve for free. They have things to read and places to read them, and you can even take material home with you. And librarians are also treasuries. When you can’t find something yourself, they will show you how or else find it themselves. And unlike people at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, librarians want to help you.”
J.W. is fooled by red herrings right up until he and Zee are attacked by the killer during a fierce storm. Together they solve the island crime, but only after surviving a desperate, dangerous pursuit at sea.
Reading about J.W. fishing and/or relaxing with Zee on Martha’s Vineyard, attuned to island weather and sea life, is almost like being on vacation…good thing there are 20 more books in the series to enjoy. Next is Vineyard Deceit (originally published as The Double-Minded Men).
“My world was usually one of fish and fishermen, but now might again include crime and criminals. I was aware that I was enjoying the variation in my routine and linked it to the almost forgotten pleasure of police work in Boston. Occasional snooping seemed to appeal to me. I wondered if that was good or bad.”
Esteemed university professor Dr. Marjorie Summerharp has come to Martha’s Vineyard for a few weeks in the summer with a younger colleague Dr. Ian MacGregor. They plan to finish a joint paper on a newly discovered work by Shakespeare. Before publishing to an academic journal, they must convince themselves beyond any possible doubt of its authenticity – to avoid public humiliation by avid critics. Marjorie has already announced her retirement, so has little concern about reputation, but she has been a harsh academic critic in her long career, and made enemies along the way. Ian has his professional reputation to lose.
Marjorie kept herself fit by swimming early each morning. One morning she did not return from her swim. A boat found her body 6 hours later. It seemed like an accidental drowning. However J.W. knew the tides would have moved her body far away from where she parked her car, if she had simply drowned while swimming. He began investigating any professional contacts or potential adversaries on the island.
The story abounds with convincing red herrings: Marjorie could have been killed just before she revealed an anomaly in a dissertation and ruined a reputation, or she could have been about to reveal illegal doings at a resort, or several other possibilities. Each of the suspects J.W. interviews has a secret to hide.
A major emotional setback for J.W. is the instant attraction his island lady-love Zee has to MacGregor. J.W. spends a lot of time distracting himself from thoughts of Zee by intensely fishing or researching at the library.
“Libraries are treasuries. They’re mountains of information in which you can delve for free. They have things to read and places to read them, and you can even take material home with you. And librarians are also treasuries. When you can’t find something yourself, they will show you how or else find it themselves. And unlike people at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, librarians want to help you.”
J.W. is fooled by red herrings right up until he and Zee are attacked by the killer during a fierce storm. Together they solve the island crime, but only after surviving a desperate, dangerous pursuit at sea.
Reading about J.W. fishing and/or relaxing with Zee on Martha’s Vineyard, attuned to island weather and sea life, is almost like being on vacation…good thing there are 20 more books in the series to enjoy. Next is Vineyard Deceit (originally published as The Double-Minded Men).
July 12, 2013
This is my favorite quote from the book. It doesn't really have a lot to do with the storyline but I just think that it's a good quote about life.
"The Man Who Craps is a little figure of a guy wearing a red fez who is squatting and s**ting on the ground, his trousers are down around his ankles. He was brought to me by a friend who had been in Barcelona during the Christmas season and who, while browsing through Catalonia's markets, had come across the figure amid other figuers who were the traditional Christmas creches: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepards, donkeys, sheep, cattle, and so forth. In Catalonia, Christmas creches are apparently very popular, for the figures are for sale everywhere in all sizes and for all prices. But my friend had never seen the Man Who Craps as part of the scene and had been sufficiently fascinated to purchase two, one of them for me. Curious, my friend had asked acquaintances the significance of the obscene figure being mixed in with the other more traditional figures and had in time been given the following explanation: In Catalonia there were, in fact, three figures not elsewhere found in the creche: the Man Who Craps, a woman washing cloths, and a fisherman at work. They signified that at the moment of the birth of the only son of God, surely the most sacred and important event since the beginning of time, all of the very human activities that normally took place continued to take place. Nothing really changed. Everything that usually happpened continued to happen. Clothing still needed to be washed, fish still needed to be caught, and s**t still needed to be shat. Life went on as it always does in spite of the miracle.
Or in spite of death. Marjorie Summerharp's or anyone else's.
At Christmas, when I put up my little creche, around in back, modestly out of sight, I alwasy put the Man Who Craps, because I like what he stands (or squats) for: life going on in spite of doom or marvel" (209-210).
"The Man Who Craps is a little figure of a guy wearing a red fez who is squatting and s**ting on the ground, his trousers are down around his ankles. He was brought to me by a friend who had been in Barcelona during the Christmas season and who, while browsing through Catalonia's markets, had come across the figure amid other figuers who were the traditional Christmas creches: Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, angels, shepards, donkeys, sheep, cattle, and so forth. In Catalonia, Christmas creches are apparently very popular, for the figures are for sale everywhere in all sizes and for all prices. But my friend had never seen the Man Who Craps as part of the scene and had been sufficiently fascinated to purchase two, one of them for me. Curious, my friend had asked acquaintances the significance of the obscene figure being mixed in with the other more traditional figures and had in time been given the following explanation: In Catalonia there were, in fact, three figures not elsewhere found in the creche: the Man Who Craps, a woman washing cloths, and a fisherman at work. They signified that at the moment of the birth of the only son of God, surely the most sacred and important event since the beginning of time, all of the very human activities that normally took place continued to take place. Nothing really changed. Everything that usually happpened continued to happen. Clothing still needed to be washed, fish still needed to be caught, and s**t still needed to be shat. Life went on as it always does in spite of the miracle.
Or in spite of death. Marjorie Summerharp's or anyone else's.
At Christmas, when I put up my little creche, around in back, modestly out of sight, I alwasy put the Man Who Craps, because I like what he stands (or squats) for: life going on in spite of doom or marvel" (209-210).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews