Review by Gift Nwagu -- McDowell by William H. Coles
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Gift Nwagu
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Review by Gift Nwagu -- McDowell by William H. Coles
[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]
McDowell, written by William H. Cole, is a labyrinth of a book featuring, as an anti-hero, probably the most mind-boggling character in all of literary history. At the expense of personal life, having developed a musical, surgical, mountain-climbing, and entrepreneurial/philanthropic career, Hiram McDowell is ready to branch into a new profession as a medical member of the US government cabinet. His ascent to the top is at the demise of his hesitant supporter and colleague, Michael O’Leary who, wrought with envy and the need for revenge, steadily destroys Hiram’s reputation in the research and health industries by revealing long-hidden secrets.
These malicious revelations cause mounting press attention and matters are not helped when a shooting, strongly linked to his family, takes place. In his attempt to salvage what is left of his family and career, he performs a heinous, controversial crime which leads to his imprisonment. Hiram later decides to undergo a personal journey towards his version of redemption.
This tale, using a blend of satire, comedy, adventure, and inner monologue, uses a third-person perspective to broaden, to the audience, the thought cycles of the main protagonist as well as the supporting characters, whether major or minor. Reading any book, a reader’s reaction could either be joyful or detestable but is it possible to feel both emotions equally to such intense degrees? Such is my bipolar state while reading the book.
The book has many strong suits, the strongest of which being the authors writing style. Cole intertwines unexpected relationships between the most multi-layered characters I have ever seen, most of the characters of which come across as either flawed (to an almost unredeemable extent) or absolutely despicable, yet still managing to make the audience resentfully love them. He achieves this feat through character developments that are littered all across the writing. There are also a minority of absolutely lovable characters present, like Maud (a transient friend of Hiram), which lighten the tone of the text and aid in plot development.
Also, I admire the author’s use of his writing as a means to quietly convey morals such as the “Law of Karma” and the negative effects of bad parent figures on children and succeeding generations. By some miracle, the author manages to produce such a hate-evoking, woman-degrading character, in the person of Hiram, who we come to learn something from.
The main thing I dislike in this novel, apart from the occasional spelling and grammar error, would be a few creative decisions that were taken in the book which affects the tone of the ending. I cannot completely dispute this as every author is entitled, to her/his creative decisions.
All things considered, I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars because the author uses an admirably unique means to execute an equally unique plot idea. There are a few minor errors present but not enough for me to believe it is not professionally edited.
As I regard this book as a coming-of-age story, I believe the best audience for this book would be young adults who wish to encounter an unconventional read. It is also a bonus if you, as a reader, are invested in philosophical conversations because a great many are present. Readers should be conscious of the themes of women-degradation, gun violence, and suicide which are portrayed in the novel. There are very graphic descriptions of violence and erotic scenes are present. Vulgar language is also present. That being said, this book is not fit for children.
I strongly recommend this book.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
McDowell, written by William H. Cole, is a labyrinth of a book featuring, as an anti-hero, probably the most mind-boggling character in all of literary history. At the expense of personal life, having developed a musical, surgical, mountain-climbing, and entrepreneurial/philanthropic career, Hiram McDowell is ready to branch into a new profession as a medical member of the US government cabinet. His ascent to the top is at the demise of his hesitant supporter and colleague, Michael O’Leary who, wrought with envy and the need for revenge, steadily destroys Hiram’s reputation in the research and health industries by revealing long-hidden secrets.
These malicious revelations cause mounting press attention and matters are not helped when a shooting, strongly linked to his family, takes place. In his attempt to salvage what is left of his family and career, he performs a heinous, controversial crime which leads to his imprisonment. Hiram later decides to undergo a personal journey towards his version of redemption.
This tale, using a blend of satire, comedy, adventure, and inner monologue, uses a third-person perspective to broaden, to the audience, the thought cycles of the main protagonist as well as the supporting characters, whether major or minor. Reading any book, a reader’s reaction could either be joyful or detestable but is it possible to feel both emotions equally to such intense degrees? Such is my bipolar state while reading the book.
The book has many strong suits, the strongest of which being the authors writing style. Cole intertwines unexpected relationships between the most multi-layered characters I have ever seen, most of the characters of which come across as either flawed (to an almost unredeemable extent) or absolutely despicable, yet still managing to make the audience resentfully love them. He achieves this feat through character developments that are littered all across the writing. There are also a minority of absolutely lovable characters present, like Maud (a transient friend of Hiram), which lighten the tone of the text and aid in plot development.
Also, I admire the author’s use of his writing as a means to quietly convey morals such as the “Law of Karma” and the negative effects of bad parent figures on children and succeeding generations. By some miracle, the author manages to produce such a hate-evoking, woman-degrading character, in the person of Hiram, who we come to learn something from.
The main thing I dislike in this novel, apart from the occasional spelling and grammar error, would be a few creative decisions that were taken in the book which affects the tone of the ending. I cannot completely dispute this as every author is entitled, to her/his creative decisions.
All things considered, I would rate this book a 4 out of 4 stars because the author uses an admirably unique means to execute an equally unique plot idea. There are a few minor errors present but not enough for me to believe it is not professionally edited.
As I regard this book as a coming-of-age story, I believe the best audience for this book would be young adults who wish to encounter an unconventional read. It is also a bonus if you, as a reader, are invested in philosophical conversations because a great many are present. Readers should be conscious of the themes of women-degradation, gun violence, and suicide which are portrayed in the novel. There are very graphic descriptions of violence and erotic scenes are present. Vulgar language is also present. That being said, this book is not fit for children.
I strongly recommend this book.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Don’t Be Like That by Cynthia A King
