Review of McDowell

[Lisa Grimaldi]

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

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3 out of 4 stars

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McDowell by William H. Coles is a unique tale told in two parts. In Part One, we meet our protagonist as a grown man with grown children. He is presented as intelligent, opportunistic, egotistical, fraudulent, entitled, dishonest, and talented. He believes himself to be above repercussions and consequences and has little regard for fellow human beings, including his current wife and her children. When a tragedy befalls his own family, he makes a fateful decision with drastic outcomes. In Part Two, McDowell is on a journey of self-discovery that begins with a desire and need to hide from society. It ends with a desire and need to connect in a meaningful way with his fellow humans.



This novel is succinctly told with thought-provoking insights and questions. Part family saga, part adventure tale, and part philosophy class, this novel will make the reader question many assumptions. Can money buy happiness? Should you be judged by your past behavior? Can you redeem a checkered past with good deeds later in life? Is there such a thing as an unforgivable crime when it comes to family? Are there any circumstances when it is okay to commit a crime? When does good outweigh bad, if at all?



This novel is recommended for any reader who enjoys a twist on the coming of age story. While most coming of age stories focus on young adults or teens, McDowell has already lived a full life when we meet him. However, he does experience growth and change, which is an important part of both this novel and his journey. This is also a novel that would appeal to a reader who does not want too much description in their reading. The action focuses mostly on interpersonal interactions. If you want an adventure novel that makes you think about some of life’s deepest questions, I suggest you pick up this book as soon as possible.



Skip this novel if you are looking for romance or mystery. We know exactly what was done, who it was done by, and why it was done. I would also not recommend this novel to anyone who wants an opinion handed to them and everything laid out in black and white. There are many layers to this story and several shades of gray. There are no easy answers, but plenty to ponder.



This book, despite its many characteristics to recommend it, did have several editing errors. For that reason, I would give this book 3 out of 4 stars.

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McDowell
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