Review of McDowell
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Deborah Dodd
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Review of McDowell
[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]
There are so many human weaknesses that one could have just one or many. Some failings are suitable for a person, while others could devastate. The story McDowell teaches this reader what human weaknesses can do to a person. The author, William H. Coles, starts his story with part one, introducing one to the main character, Hiram McDowell. One of Hiram's weaknesses is his love for his children, Ann and Sophie, and one seventeen-year-old son, Billie. Hiram is a top surgeon in his field and works at a university. He opens a clinic in Nepal to help the underprivileged. He holds immense fundraisers to support the foundation to stay afloat. Hiram's primary weakness is antipathy. He feels superiority inspired by ignorance of the value of others and hates criticism from women. Naturally, his life falls apart, and he blames others. He made a snap judgment about his grandson, leading him to run from the authorities. In part two of the book, the author takes you into the mind of Hiram as he writes his memoir. Hiram meets many people he would not have noticed in the past. They help him re-evaluate his life and what makes it worth living.
Mr. Coles does a beautiful job of describing his characters. He gives excellent care to their development and how they go through learning life lessons. The author has written previous stories and has a website to learn how to write about characters and much more. I especially enjoyed how I cheered for Sophie and Ann. Will Sophie find true love? Will Ann ever forgive herself? Does Billie find meaning in life? Can Hiram keep one step ahead of the law? In each chapter I finished, I wanted to head into the next to see how things would turn out. The author takes one through the many changes Hiram has to undergo to survive and grow emotionally.
The only negative this reader has, which is not crucial to the story, is that I would have liked to have more background about Hiram when he was a child. The author never goes into his experiences. What made Hiram's weaknesses? Why did Hiram have such a superiority complex? What happened to him as a child or young adult to dismiss women?
The author did an excellent job with his writing. I could only find two spelling errors. This reader rates this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This reader is looking forward to reading the author's previous stories. Mr. Coles's grasp of the importance of powerful characters is a rewarding read.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy family, insight into human nature, and surprises. The author has some mild sex scenes, but it helps understand the characters. Mr. Coles does an excellent job of keeping violence to one's imagination. The author uses foul language, but it is necessary to understand more about the situation and development of the characters.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
There are so many human weaknesses that one could have just one or many. Some failings are suitable for a person, while others could devastate. The story McDowell teaches this reader what human weaknesses can do to a person. The author, William H. Coles, starts his story with part one, introducing one to the main character, Hiram McDowell. One of Hiram's weaknesses is his love for his children, Ann and Sophie, and one seventeen-year-old son, Billie. Hiram is a top surgeon in his field and works at a university. He opens a clinic in Nepal to help the underprivileged. He holds immense fundraisers to support the foundation to stay afloat. Hiram's primary weakness is antipathy. He feels superiority inspired by ignorance of the value of others and hates criticism from women. Naturally, his life falls apart, and he blames others. He made a snap judgment about his grandson, leading him to run from the authorities. In part two of the book, the author takes you into the mind of Hiram as he writes his memoir. Hiram meets many people he would not have noticed in the past. They help him re-evaluate his life and what makes it worth living.
Mr. Coles does a beautiful job of describing his characters. He gives excellent care to their development and how they go through learning life lessons. The author has written previous stories and has a website to learn how to write about characters and much more. I especially enjoyed how I cheered for Sophie and Ann. Will Sophie find true love? Will Ann ever forgive herself? Does Billie find meaning in life? Can Hiram keep one step ahead of the law? In each chapter I finished, I wanted to head into the next to see how things would turn out. The author takes one through the many changes Hiram has to undergo to survive and grow emotionally.
The only negative this reader has, which is not crucial to the story, is that I would have liked to have more background about Hiram when he was a child. The author never goes into his experiences. What made Hiram's weaknesses? Why did Hiram have such a superiority complex? What happened to him as a child or young adult to dismiss women?
The author did an excellent job with his writing. I could only find two spelling errors. This reader rates this book a 5 out of 5 stars. This reader is looking forward to reading the author's previous stories. Mr. Coles's grasp of the importance of powerful characters is a rewarding read.
I recommend this book to those that enjoy family, insight into human nature, and surprises. The author has some mild sex scenes, but it helps understand the characters. Mr. Coles does an excellent job of keeping violence to one's imagination. The author uses foul language, but it is necessary to understand more about the situation and development of the characters.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: Shanghai'd by Curtis Stephen Burdick
