Review by Sunny Day 246 -- The Spirit of Want
Posted: 01 Jan 2019, 21:28
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Spirit of Want" by William H. Coles.]
3 out of 4 stars
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I totally loved this book! It’s a book that tells a great story and reinforces, without preaching, one of the most basic lessons in life: be careful what you desire as actions and decisions have consequences.
The author successfully delves into the worlds of law, medicine and religion and introduces us to a core of well rounded and believable characters. Before you know it, you’re drawn into their world and taken for a literary ride where initial perceptions are drawn and then driven on their heads as characters and plots are taken into different directions.
The central character is Lucy MacMiel, is a successful criminal defence lawyer in her mid-thirties. She appears to be an aloof, intolerant person and after getting a little drunk, reveals strained relationships with her doctor father and her sister Elizabeth. Lucy is adopted and convinced that the MacMiels adopted her, a poor Puerto Rican baby with a black maternal great grandfather, as a humanitarian gesture which they came to regret two years later when their own biological daughter was born. Lucy wants acceptance and a sense of belonging.
There are a mixture of characters and whilst some are unlikeable, all are believable and through the author’s skilful story-telling, come to life as plot unfolds.
The plot itself is very realistic and we see on display the spirit of greed in Lucy’s father, a socially important eye surgeon who places profits before patient care. In contrast Lucy’s husband Dr Luke Osbourne displays a spirit of ethical integrity who wants only the best for his patients, colleagues and wife. Lucy’s sister Elizabeth initially comes across as wishy-washy and weak but ultimately, we see her true generosity and strength. The most unlikeable and disturbing character is the faith-healing Reverend Hower Bain who despite his glaringly dubious nature manages to ensnare a willing Lucy.
Satisfaction for the reader comes when the story winds up and a sense of fulfilment is felt as the characters get what they deserve, although there was an element of sympathy for Lucy. Additionally, the novel leads the reader to reflect on our own life decisions and the consequences we are inviting into our lives.
I loved the plot, the pace and length of the novel and the author’s writing style. In my opinion the book was well-edited. However, I did find the ending to be a little rushed. I rate this book three out of four stars.
I think this novel will appeal to anyone who likes realistic fiction which delves into the nature of human behaviours.
******
The Spirit of Want
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Like Sunny Day 246's review? Post a comment saying so!
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
I totally loved this book! It’s a book that tells a great story and reinforces, without preaching, one of the most basic lessons in life: be careful what you desire as actions and decisions have consequences.
The author successfully delves into the worlds of law, medicine and religion and introduces us to a core of well rounded and believable characters. Before you know it, you’re drawn into their world and taken for a literary ride where initial perceptions are drawn and then driven on their heads as characters and plots are taken into different directions.
The central character is Lucy MacMiel, is a successful criminal defence lawyer in her mid-thirties. She appears to be an aloof, intolerant person and after getting a little drunk, reveals strained relationships with her doctor father and her sister Elizabeth. Lucy is adopted and convinced that the MacMiels adopted her, a poor Puerto Rican baby with a black maternal great grandfather, as a humanitarian gesture which they came to regret two years later when their own biological daughter was born. Lucy wants acceptance and a sense of belonging.
There are a mixture of characters and whilst some are unlikeable, all are believable and through the author’s skilful story-telling, come to life as plot unfolds.
The plot itself is very realistic and we see on display the spirit of greed in Lucy’s father, a socially important eye surgeon who places profits before patient care. In contrast Lucy’s husband Dr Luke Osbourne displays a spirit of ethical integrity who wants only the best for his patients, colleagues and wife. Lucy’s sister Elizabeth initially comes across as wishy-washy and weak but ultimately, we see her true generosity and strength. The most unlikeable and disturbing character is the faith-healing Reverend Hower Bain who despite his glaringly dubious nature manages to ensnare a willing Lucy.
Satisfaction for the reader comes when the story winds up and a sense of fulfilment is felt as the characters get what they deserve, although there was an element of sympathy for Lucy. Additionally, the novel leads the reader to reflect on our own life decisions and the consequences we are inviting into our lives.
I loved the plot, the pace and length of the novel and the author’s writing style. In my opinion the book was well-edited. However, I did find the ending to be a little rushed. I rate this book three out of four stars.
I think this novel will appeal to anyone who likes realistic fiction which delves into the nature of human behaviours.
******
The Spirit of Want
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on iTunes | on Smashwords
Like Sunny Day 246's review? Post a comment saying so!