3 out of 4 stars
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In his novel, Guardian of Deceit, William H. Coles tackles nearly all issues: from everyday problems to severe misfortunes and life changing mistakes. From financial distress to love, through failed marriages, drug abuse, sex, and gunshots, Coles involves his protagonist, Darwin Hastings, both directly and indirectly, to tell a tale of deceit, love, murder, and success.
Throughout the story, we see the development and transformation of Darwin from a timid seventeen-year-old boy uncomfortably sandwiched in an airplane between a pushy old lady and a well-to-do doctor to an assertive and successful philanthropist and doctor. A native of Pittsburgh, Darwin moves away from his ill aunt, who has taken care of him since the death of his parents, and into the mansion of his cousin, football star and official guardian Luther Pinnelli.
After a rough start in his new surroundings, Darwin finds his way growing as a student and human being finding actual guidance not from his cousin Luther, but rather from two unexpected sources in Dr. Malverne, the well-to-do doctor from the airplane, and Laszlo Forgash, head of security for Luther.
The focus of the novel remains in Darwin, his growth into a man that may seem to the reader as a bit fantastical. Coles portrays Darwin, at times, as a superhero. In addition to becoming a successful doctor, Darwin finds himself fighting the system of a university lab due to the improper treatment of a fellow student as well as physically fending off a molester and two thieves and suffering a stab wound. Although Coles purposely builds his character as such, it leaves the reader questioning the validity or reality of Darwin’s life.
As mentioned, Coles does not shy away from facing many issues, both typical and extreme. In doing so, however, the novel follows Darwin through a span of time leaving many loose ends. Quite a few side stories or characters are built up to something that may seem to become a main theme before being left aside and forgotten. Some serious events are left with no follow-up and no outcome. Unfortunately, this taints the overall plan of the story, creating an inconsistent or scattered plotline.
Having said that, William H. Coles is clearly a talented author with the life experience to retell important tales and tackle certain themes. There are quite a few passages that click on a deeper level, most notably concerning love and relationships in general. He accepts and portrays the fact that no character and no relationship is one-dimensional. He takes the time to build his characters, showing all sides of some very complex personalities. Through varying spans of time, many relationships in the story grow beautifully, not only together but also apart. Throughout Guardian of Deceit, Coles demonstrates his idea that everything is not just black or white; he fearlessly takes on the grey areas of life, shedding light on both the good and the bad of his characters and their relationships.
Although the loose ends of the story leave me with a sense of “what could have been,” the plot remains exciting while casting deeper ideas to the reader. Despite a few grammatical or spelling errors, the story is very well written. I rate this novel 3 out of 4 stars.
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Guardian of Deceit
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