What you think about Michael's character?

Use this forum to discuss the October Book of the Month "McDowell" by William H. Coles.
Bavithra M
Posts: 206
Joined: 08 Oct 2018, 08:38
Currently Reading: Inspirience: Meditation Unbound
Bookshelf Size: 28
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bavithra-m.html
Latest Review: The Lost Identity Casualties by Kim Ekemar

What you think about Michael's character?

Post by Bavithra M »

Though, Hiram has cheated Michael by promising him to make him as a executive director. I still feel that even Michael has done a mistake by deceiving the votes. What is your opinion on Michael's character.
---
User avatar
Manang Muyang
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 11153
Joined: 02 May 2017, 20:17
Favorite Book:
Currently Reading: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
Bookshelf Size: 684
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-manang-muyang.html
Latest Review: Your Great Name by Shawn Funk
Reading Device: B00KC6I06S

Post by Manang Muyang »

I think Michael is the typical career person. He was in for the expected benefit. When that didn't materialize, he wanted to inflict harm. But Hiram wasn't totally clean, too.
User avatar
Charlyt
Posts: 527
Joined: 09 Oct 2018, 00:48
Favorite Book: The Night Circus
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 103
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-charlyt.html
Latest Review: Worldlines by Adam Guest

Post by Charlyt »

Michael felt betrayed, therefore he felt he had to get "justice" by putting Hiram down. It wasn't right but he's a career oriented person and he would do anything not to lose on that stage.
"It is neither fair nor unfair, Nobody Owens. It simply is." -NG
a9436
Posts: 248
Joined: 07 Jul 2018, 13:18
Currently Reading: The Redbreast
Bookshelf Size: 88
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-a9436.html
Latest Review: First Family by Alice Langholt

Post by a9436 »

I expected Michael to play a larger role in the book. I cannot say I blame him at all for wanting revenge on Hiram, despite his own moral mistake; I am sure there are many who would have made that arrangement and the betrayal must have hurt.
User avatar
SienaStein
Posts: 5
Joined: 29 Sep 2018, 14:51
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 10
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sienastein.html
Latest Review: Roadmap to the End of Days by Daniel Friedmann

Post by SienaStein »

I think Michael was basically ambitious but pretty honest at the start of the book. Then he seemed to parallel Hiram's character a little bit after he was betrayed. He's so angry that he pressurised the former researcher to look into the falsified results of the trial even though she is clearly reluctant, which is exactly what Hiram did to him when he pressured him to round up votes for him. Hiram convinces himself he wants the directorship for selfless reasons even though it is clear that it is for selfish reasons. Michael also engages in this a bit as he claims he wants the former researcher to investigate as he doesn't want more people put at risk in fraudulent clinical trials - but he doesn't really care about that and just wants revenge.
To me the difference between the two is that we can kind of empathise with Michael but not so much with Hiram. In the early part of the book, we almost hate Hiram to the extent that we will forgive Michael for displaying the same traits as long as Hiram gets his comupance.
User avatar
Samisah
Posts: 274
Joined: 17 Feb 2018, 02:16
Currently Reading: Final Notice
Bookshelf Size: 44
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-samisah.html
Latest Review: Illustrated Short Fiction of William H. Coles: 2000-2016 by William H. Coles

Post by Samisah »

Micheal is our every day dubious politician seeking to do things that will only favour him. Yet he is cheated just as the case here, he for all out suing every means available to him to tanish the image of his perceived enemy.
User avatar
Moddesser Elahi
Book of the Month Participant
Posts: 1099
Joined: 27 Jun 2018, 10:08
Favorite Book: The Power of Now
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 85
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-moddesser-elahi.html
Latest Review: Then Comes The Flood by John Payne

Post by Moddesser Elahi »

Michael who has a small part in the story did not seem a negative character. He wanted to avenge McDowell who did not have best intentions for him.
PANACEA - Please do not overvalue your body and mind! Just be life! :dance:
User avatar
jenjayfromSA
Posts: 201
Joined: 19 Jun 2017, 03:44
Currently Reading: First Family
Bookshelf Size: 60
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-jenjayfromsa.html
Latest Review: Adrift by Charlie Sheldon
Reading Device: B00JG8GOWU

Post by jenjayfromSA »

Yes, Michael felt cheated and wanted revenge. And he was cheated. He assisted Hiram on the unwritten understanding that he would be rewarded. Hiram broke this unspoken rule. If he could do that, what else could he do? It is possible Michael felt not only that he deserved to be taken down, but that he should be, because he could not be trusted.
User avatar
Nerea
Posts: 2721
Joined: 11 May 2018, 05:13
Favorite Author: William H. Coles
Favorite Book: Diamond and Pearls
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 670
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nerea.html
Latest Review: Little White Lies by JC Anderson
Reading Device: Laptop
fav_author_id: 89641
Signature Addition: No Wahala

Post by Nerea »

I think Michael was being nice or doing Hiram a favor, who later betrayed his trust.
"Regular reading improves your grammar."
No Wahala
Onyinye Excel
Posts: 231
Joined: 30 Aug 2018, 06:54
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 44
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-onyinye-excel.html
Latest Review: The Different Kinds Of Monsters by Seth Chambers

Post by Onyinye Excel »

I do not fault Michael. He was only trying to avenge himself on Hiram for not coming through with his promise. Hiram having deceived him, also deserved a taste of his own deceit in my thinking.
asere_maryanne
Posts: 211
Joined: 10 Feb 2018, 11:54
Currently Reading: Source
Bookshelf Size: 35
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-asere-maryanne.html
Latest Review: McDowell by William H. Coles

Post by asere_maryanne »

Michael was doing what he thought was right, although he was wrong, he had to do what had to be done.
User avatar
Radiant3
In It Together VIP
Posts: 411
Joined: 04 May 2018, 05:40
Favorite Book: Healing Your Attachment Wounds
Currently Reading: Love Is
Bookshelf Size: 145
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-radiant3.html
Latest Review: Love Is by Kim Sorrelle

Post by Radiant3 »

Michael seemed like an honest and straightforward person who expected Hiram to behave the same as Michael. So he may have felt particularly betrayed and hurt when Hiram did not fulfill his side of the bargain.
User avatar
Nerea
Posts: 2721
Joined: 11 May 2018, 05:13
Favorite Author: William H. Coles
Favorite Book: Diamond and Pearls
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 670
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nerea.html
Latest Review: Little White Lies by JC Anderson
Reading Device: Laptop
fav_author_id: 89641
Signature Addition: No Wahala

Post by Nerea »

I think Mike was naive. How could he fall for Hiram's trap? He showed exclusive support to Hiram only to be left out in the game.
"Regular reading improves your grammar."
No Wahala
User avatar
Nephyz+254
Posts: 36
Joined: 08 Oct 2018, 03:25
Favorite Book: McDowell
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 43
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-nephyz-254.html
Latest Review: McDowell by William H. Coles

Post by Nephyz+254 »

I think Michael just proved he was human being--he had the capacity to get annoyed and ability to revenge. Although I don't see what he did as the right thing, but still I can't blame him because sincerely what Hiram did was unheard of.
User avatar
HollandBlue
Posts: 1539
Joined: 04 Aug 2018, 16:37
Favorite Book: The Reel Sisters
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 107
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hollandblue.html
Latest Review: It's Hard to Be a Vampire by Viktoria Faust
2024 Reading Goal: 24
2024 Goal Completion: 0%

Post by HollandBlue »

I think Michael got taken for a ride by Hiram and that he felt justified in wanting to take Hiram down.
:techie-studyinggray: when I get a little money I buy books; and if I have any left l buy food and clothes
Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamas
(1466-1536)
Post Reply

Return to “Discuss "McDowell" by William H. Coles”