Review of McDowell
Posted: 16 Jan 2024, 11:47
[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]
Hiram McDowell, the protagonist in McDowell by William H. Coles, is a man you can love to hate! Or hate to love? He gets under the reader's skin as he egocentrically worms his way through the minds and hearts of everyone he encounters. It is a profound, thought-provoking novel that captivates from beginning to end!
Hiram, a prominent surgeon, skilled mountain climber, endowing philanthropist, father, and husband, appears to have everything one could hope for. But there is one problem—he is an absolute scoundrel!
Early in the story, Hiram confiscates a struggling hiking partner’s oxygen tank and leaves him alone to perish on a mountainside. Soon after, he takes a woman—not his wife—for dinner on his wife’s birthday! He promises a colleague the appointment as “Executive Director” in exchange for his vote to ensure he is elected president of the International College of Surgeons. Then, he reneges on the promise once he’s elected. He is soon accused of misappropriating charity fund revenues. These and other guileful actions reveal Hiram McDowell’s complete and utter self-absorption.
As I journeyed along with Hiram, witnessing his lack of empathy and mistreatment of people, I soon began to loathe his character. But then he comforts Sophie, his heartbroken photographer daughter, and financially helps out his other children, showing that perhaps he cares—at least for them. However, the story takes many twists and turns, and shocking events cause Hiram to be accused of the unthinkable!
The characters in McDowell are well-developed, so the reader gets a good sense of how and why they, directly and indirectly, impact Hiram’s life and choices.
In this compelling story, the author delves deeply into the characters' psyches, exposing the raw human emotions, behaviors, and motivations that can change a person into a villain—or a hero. The story illuminates humans' complexities, capabilities, and projected judgments (that regularly need readjustment).
McDowell left me wanting to know more about how some incidents happened in the story. Giving examples, though, would spoil the plot. But a horrific family tragedy causes Hiram’s life to unravel instantly. From this point on, the reader begins to witness him grow in self-awareness as his inner and outer lives pivot from a path of progression to a path of regression. I found this aspect of the book to be the most satisfying because it beckons the reader to examine their own intentions toward others and sort out which are genuinely selfless and which are solely selfish motives.
I was struck by how some adult women in this story were portrayed, engaging in frivolous behaviors to get men's attention. I could never imagine a middle-aged woman doing those things in reality! You will have to read the book to see if you agree. The author's bombshell ending dropped my jaw!
I disliked nothing about McDowell. Its ability to make the reader think about what is truly important, along with its absorbing, smooth-flowing narrative and superb editing, merits 5-out-of-5 stars!
The book contains adult content, adult language, and the topic of mass shootings. It is appropriate for adult readers only.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Hiram McDowell, the protagonist in McDowell by William H. Coles, is a man you can love to hate! Or hate to love? He gets under the reader's skin as he egocentrically worms his way through the minds and hearts of everyone he encounters. It is a profound, thought-provoking novel that captivates from beginning to end!
Hiram, a prominent surgeon, skilled mountain climber, endowing philanthropist, father, and husband, appears to have everything one could hope for. But there is one problem—he is an absolute scoundrel!
Early in the story, Hiram confiscates a struggling hiking partner’s oxygen tank and leaves him alone to perish on a mountainside. Soon after, he takes a woman—not his wife—for dinner on his wife’s birthday! He promises a colleague the appointment as “Executive Director” in exchange for his vote to ensure he is elected president of the International College of Surgeons. Then, he reneges on the promise once he’s elected. He is soon accused of misappropriating charity fund revenues. These and other guileful actions reveal Hiram McDowell’s complete and utter self-absorption.
As I journeyed along with Hiram, witnessing his lack of empathy and mistreatment of people, I soon began to loathe his character. But then he comforts Sophie, his heartbroken photographer daughter, and financially helps out his other children, showing that perhaps he cares—at least for them. However, the story takes many twists and turns, and shocking events cause Hiram to be accused of the unthinkable!
The characters in McDowell are well-developed, so the reader gets a good sense of how and why they, directly and indirectly, impact Hiram’s life and choices.
In this compelling story, the author delves deeply into the characters' psyches, exposing the raw human emotions, behaviors, and motivations that can change a person into a villain—or a hero. The story illuminates humans' complexities, capabilities, and projected judgments (that regularly need readjustment).
McDowell left me wanting to know more about how some incidents happened in the story. Giving examples, though, would spoil the plot. But a horrific family tragedy causes Hiram’s life to unravel instantly. From this point on, the reader begins to witness him grow in self-awareness as his inner and outer lives pivot from a path of progression to a path of regression. I found this aspect of the book to be the most satisfying because it beckons the reader to examine their own intentions toward others and sort out which are genuinely selfless and which are solely selfish motives.
I was struck by how some adult women in this story were portrayed, engaging in frivolous behaviors to get men's attention. I could never imagine a middle-aged woman doing those things in reality! You will have to read the book to see if you agree. The author's bombshell ending dropped my jaw!
I disliked nothing about McDowell. Its ability to make the reader think about what is truly important, along with its absorbing, smooth-flowing narrative and superb editing, merits 5-out-of-5 stars!
The book contains adult content, adult language, and the topic of mass shootings. It is appropriate for adult readers only.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Thank you, Terry; this was a great review. It was a pleasure reading it, and I look forward to reading this book too! All the best! 
There was "something" that happened in the story that was never explained as far as to how it happened, and that is what I was referring to. If you get a chance to read it you will see what I mean. I hope you enjoy it! Thank you for checking out the review! Have a splendid reading day! 
Thank you for coming by and leaving your thoughts. Have a wonderful reading day! 
Ok, the oxygen tank is a maybe in a survival situation; the other woman on his wife's birthday—nope; and the broken promise—come on! 