Official Review: The Spirit of Want by William H. Coles

Perfect Ndlovu · Post by **Perfect Ndlovu** » 11 Oct 2017, 14:05

What an awesome book.

Kat Kennedy · Post by **Kat Kennedy** » 11 Oct 2017, 14:06

Excellent review. I'm curious to see how the author brings all these elements together, so I'm looking forward to reading this book. It sounds like there is much to learn from reading this since you mention each of the professions were well researched.

WendyH · Post by **WendyH** » 11 Oct 2017, 14:21

This book sounds interesting, even though it is out of my normal reading genre. I like I complex story though and this seems like it may bring just that to the table.

Ashley Simon · Post by **Ashley Simon** » 11 Oct 2017, 14:22

Your review makes me want to read this book. I wasn't sure after reading the synopsis on Amazon...but I guess I'll read the sample and decide for myself! Thanks for another great review!

Team Glitch Magic · Post by **Team Glitch Magic** » 11 Oct 2017, 14:38

This book is very much like the surgeons wife they are both surgeons.

Seraphia Bunny Sparks · Post by **Seraphia Bunny Sparks** » 11 Oct 2017, 14:48

Good job on your review for this novel. For me, I'll be passing on this book. This doesn't sound like one that will appeal to me.

mrsflythe · Post by **mrsflythe** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:04

Based on your description of the book and the characters this sounds like something I would like. I appreciate a well-written character with complexities because we all are complex people afterall.

truebookaddict · Post by **truebookaddict** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:11

It sounds like there is too much going on in this story. That sure seems to be the consensus from the Amazon reviews. However, I'm taking your insight into account and will try to go into this one with an open mind. Thanks for the review!

MrsCatInTheHat · Post by **MrsCatInTheHat** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:13

ReviewerDiksha wrote:I read another William Cole book that was the Book of the Day, a day or two ago. If this one is anything like that, I would love to read it. Your review was very insightful and I look forward to reading the book, now. Thank you for the glowing review.

This one is the book of the day TODAY!

ebethina · Post by **ebethina** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:31

Sounds like an interesting read. Great job on the review!

micoleon13 · Post by **micoleon13** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:38

This author seems to have a tendency to write good characters. Relationships are definitely complex, no matter who they're with, it sounds like he explores this well. Thanks for the review

MrsCatInTheHat · Post by **MrsCatInTheHat** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:41

This is not the same book. Same author, different book.

hepto wrote:The Spirit of Want by William H.Coles a novel follows a surgeon who possesses all the material comforts anyone could want, but harbors a deep lacking in his soul.

When readers first meet Hiram McDowell, he is leaving a hiking partner for dead and trying to make it back down a mountain in Nepal in 1981. It’s hard to judge if McDowell is simply callous and cruel or whether this is an issue of survival. Everything readers learn about him in the next few chapters, though, shows he is a pig who treats women like objects and deceives his third wife, Carole Mastriano.

He’s also power-hungry, cheating a colleague, Michael O’Leary, out of a post on his way to becoming president of the International College of Surgeons. The one soft spot he has is for his three kids: Billie, who gets in trouble with one of Carole’s daughters; Ann, who copes with a turbulent marriage and mean children; and Sophie, who seeks to find her professional footing as a photographer.

The tales start to converge when Paige Sterling, a journalist in her 50s fighting sexism at her network to keep her job, is assigned to cover McDowell’s story. Tragedy befalls the family when Ann’s son Jeremy goes on a killing spree, which leads to McDowell’s ultimate downfall when he is convicted of murdering the culprit in his hospital bed. McDowell escapes from prison and begins an unlikely association with a bookstore owner named Maud and her family.

That gives him a chance at spiritual redemption while Sterling and the police try to hunt him down. Coles has a knack for creating distinct characters. From McDowell to the members of Sterling’s crew in Nepal, they all have their own personalities. No player is wasted as a mere plot device. The author also expertly weaves together varied threads, though there are certain points where the story jumps forward past important action. But Billie revealing his indiscretions and his desire to be an artist; Sophie struggling to find herself after her partner is murdered; Ann navigating her marriage; and Sterling using unexpected opportunities all dovetail well with McDowell’s arc.

This worthy tale delivers an epic feel and strong characters.I rate it 4 out of 4.

Soulimpression · Post by **Soulimpression** » 11 Oct 2017, 15:51

I wasn't sure if I was going to read this book until I read your review, but now I think I'll give it a shot. Thanks for the review!

Linnea Tanner · Post by **Linnea Tanner** » 11 Oct 2017, 16:28

When I first saw this book posted as book of the day, I was not immediately interested. However, your review of the book intrigued me because it also deals with medical ethical issues and complexities of love. It appears to be a multi-layered book that I could really enjoy. This was a well-written reviews that motivated me to download the e-book.