Review by Crcraig -- McDowell by William H. Coles
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Review by Crcraig -- McDowell by William H. Coles
[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]
McDowell by William H. Coles is a complete surprise as a fascinating novel with its simple title and portrait cover. Classified as ‘other fiction,’ it is a story of a man, who by his own actions, is seemingly hated by everyone with whom he comes in contact.
Part 1: Hiram McDowell’s life as a Denver surgeon.
Each character introduced has reason to hate Hiram. From his third wife to his children to his co-workers to the news reporters, Hiram has a way of using people for his own gain and irritating them with a personality that soon turns everyone to hatred. But with his professional successes come a string of bad events: an investigation of his research facility; accusations of using his Nepal hospital’s foundation funds for his personal use; and charges of killing his own son. You begin to believe that Hiram deserves all the punishment he gets.
Part 2: Hiram’s life after the tragedy.
Hiram is on the run from the law and his former life. As he travels through the more isolated areas of the United States as a homeless person just barely ahead of arrest, he starts writing his memoirs. He asks several of the people he meets to read them and comment. But they say he is only blaming others for his troubles and not taking any responsibility. Hiram disagrees. Will he ever realize that he is the only one that can turn his life around?
I easily give this book a 4 out of 4 rating. There are no editing issues, and though the book is full of descriptive passages, it is easy to read and understand. Though there is some profanity, it is nothing that is uncommon in the world today. The erotic scenes are more general, concentrating on emotions, and not offensive. If you are looking for bloody or violent scenes, you will not find any. The book is not religious but does discuss several ethical issues. The various characters voice their beliefs, and in some cases, change their opinions. But does McDowell change any of his? Can he ever return to his former life as a surgeon?
This book is great for any reader. The author writes so well that you will hate Hiram by the end of part 1 and feel sorry for him (a little) by the end of part 2. Whether you agree with the ending or not, it will certainly make you wonder about what should be the correct ending to Part 2 of McDowell’s life. I like books that offer me this range of emotions and a chance to think. McDowell offers both in a surprisingly good book with a very surprising ending.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
McDowell by William H. Coles is a complete surprise as a fascinating novel with its simple title and portrait cover. Classified as ‘other fiction,’ it is a story of a man, who by his own actions, is seemingly hated by everyone with whom he comes in contact.
Part 1: Hiram McDowell’s life as a Denver surgeon.
Each character introduced has reason to hate Hiram. From his third wife to his children to his co-workers to the news reporters, Hiram has a way of using people for his own gain and irritating them with a personality that soon turns everyone to hatred. But with his professional successes come a string of bad events: an investigation of his research facility; accusations of using his Nepal hospital’s foundation funds for his personal use; and charges of killing his own son. You begin to believe that Hiram deserves all the punishment he gets.
Part 2: Hiram’s life after the tragedy.
Hiram is on the run from the law and his former life. As he travels through the more isolated areas of the United States as a homeless person just barely ahead of arrest, he starts writing his memoirs. He asks several of the people he meets to read them and comment. But they say he is only blaming others for his troubles and not taking any responsibility. Hiram disagrees. Will he ever realize that he is the only one that can turn his life around?
I easily give this book a 4 out of 4 rating. There are no editing issues, and though the book is full of descriptive passages, it is easy to read and understand. Though there is some profanity, it is nothing that is uncommon in the world today. The erotic scenes are more general, concentrating on emotions, and not offensive. If you are looking for bloody or violent scenes, you will not find any. The book is not religious but does discuss several ethical issues. The various characters voice their beliefs, and in some cases, change their opinions. But does McDowell change any of his? Can he ever return to his former life as a surgeon?
This book is great for any reader. The author writes so well that you will hate Hiram by the end of part 1 and feel sorry for him (a little) by the end of part 2. Whether you agree with the ending or not, it will certainly make you wonder about what should be the correct ending to Part 2 of McDowell’s life. I like books that offer me this range of emotions and a chance to think. McDowell offers both in a surprisingly good book with a very surprising ending.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
