Review by Twisted_Smilez -- McDowell by William H. Coles

[Twisted_Smilez]

[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]

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4 out of 4 stars

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Anyone who considers reading this novel should be prepared to experience a wide range of intense emotions. An interesting story from the very beginning, I was not too certain that I would finish the book because I quickly became annoyed by the main character’s personality. Hiram is a man that does not leave the greatest first impression for readers due to his arrogant, selfish, and egotistical demeanor. In fact, his mentality and actions make him a despicable character. I wanted to see what would become of him, so I continued on. In doing so, I can say, this is a novel that will leave readers unsure of how to feel by the very end.

McDowell revolves around the life of well-renowned surgeon Hiram McDowell. William H. Coles, the writer of this novel, split this tale into two parts. The first part is Hiram’s life as he knows it. His ego is inflated by his fame, fortune, and social status. He has an intense drive to be successful at any cost and as his power grows, so does his arrogance. He has a misogynistic attitude towards any woman he encounters, including his wife, who he has a very toxic marriage with. When he is not belittling women, he is seeing them as a sexual object. Although he has a very clear negative opinion of women, he lives off of degrading everyone around him, both women and men alike. Those around him accept it, constantly seeking his validation and acceptance.

McDowell’s professional career is soaring. Apart from being a surgeon, he is a professional mountain climber (for sport, not recognition). His desire to climb every mountain peak also motivated him to fund the opening of a hospital for those in need of care in Nepal. He is also the regent for the International College of Surgeons and ultimately gets chosen as the United States Secretary of Health. Although Hiram is on a rapid path to ultimate success, there are things surfacing that threaten Hiram’s prosperous future. Then, Hiram takes it upon himself to euthanize his grandson, who is in the hospital. Hiram’s decision leads him to a life of living on the run after being convicted for Jeremy’s death.

The second half of the novel gives readers insight into his life in hiding. The life of solitude and loneliness brought on by living in the mountains for months at a time. Getting used to a lack of comfort and having to live life like those who go without. This new way of life sparks a change in Hiram. Thus, beginning a quest to better understand himself and redemption from who he was in the past.

From what I have already written in this review, have you quickly formed a strong opinion about the main character of this novel?

Does everyone deserve a second chance, despite what they have done in the past? Can people really change? Personally, I struggled with the answers to these questions not because he changed but because he was willing to listen and learn from good souls. He allowed himself to become humble, and in his humility helped and brought peace and happiness to strangers that he met along the way. By the end of the book, it is hard to consider him a bad guy. Without hesitation, I give this book a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. It is well worth the read.

McDowell is a fiction novel. The book will appeal to those who enjoy suspenseful stories and plot twists. It is definitely a book that would spark many discussions amongst those who read the novel. There are brief instances of sexuality and profanity in the story, as well as some violent scenes. The book itself is very well edited and does not contain any spelling or grammatical errors.

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McDowell
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[azidy]

This is an amazing review! I definitely understand how the beginning of the book seems offputting, but I'm glad you finished it. It's nice to hear the main character has some redeaming qualities and this experience helped him understand how there is an alternative to his lifestyle.

[Sou Hi]

Thanks for sharing your opinion. Yes, McDowell does sound like a jerk, but even a criminal can be given a second chance, so why shouldn't McDowell be?

[HanElizabeth397]

I completely agree with what you said about him not really changing. This for me was the most frustrating part of the book! He got very slightly better - he was atrocious at the beginning but at the end he still wasn't an amazing guy!