Review of McDowell
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Kendall Corder
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Review of McDowell
[Following is a volunteer review of "McDowell" by William H. Coles.]
The novel McDowell by William H. Coles is titled for the central character, a wealthy renowned surgeon, Hiram McDowell. Hiram is proud of his many accomplishments, proud of his kids and his high rank amongst his colleagues. He saves lives. He is giving. But, is he? We find out quickly that behind the scenes, Hiram is a neglectful husband to his third wife, snubs who he pleases, and doesn’t care. He makes enemies of those he wronged. When he gains national recognition for his medical accomplishments, his enemies move to expose his many dishonesties, stripping him of his reputation. Then, he is accused of a separate, and much worse, crime. A series of downfalls lands Hiram alone in the world, and as he delves deeply into his past he finds a new appreciation and respect for his relationships with the people who care about him. He is determined to clear his name and for the world to know his truth.
There were many things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the fast pace of the storyline which ensured I was never bored while reading. I wouldn’t mind reading another novel by William H. Coles. The book felt adventurous at times and the setting and locations were exciting and ever-changing. There are chapters in Chicago, New York, New Orleans, various parts of the West Coast and even the remote mountains of Nepal. I enjoyed the various point-of-view characters introduced through the book. Most of all, I found the several strong, smart and driven female characters inspiring. There is some strong language throughout the dialogs but not excessive.
Minor errors were found throughout the text, so it doesn’t seem the book was professionally edited. Although the storyline was fast-paced, the writing itself was consistent but not particularly memorable. I also felt there was a lot of room to develop the characters further, especially Hiram’s final revelations and the book ending. I needed more closure for a couple of the characters’ storylines too, especially the people Hiram meets in his travels in the second half of the book. However, it may have been the author’s intention to leave the reader wanting more.
I rate McDowell 4 out of 5 stars. I personally enjoyed reading the book, and could only find minor dislikes. Although a shorter novel, McDowell covers several years of storyline events and manages to discuss many social issues such as mental health, gun violence, and women’s rights. It can also be interpreted as a book about self-discovery.
This book can be enjoyed by a broad variety of adult audiences. It touches on many book genres: crime, adventure, travel, survival, medicine, art, LGBT, women’s rights, and light romance. As a backpacker and traveller I particularly enjoyed these aspects of the book. I can also see this book being the perfect entertainment for the airplane.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
The novel McDowell by William H. Coles is titled for the central character, a wealthy renowned surgeon, Hiram McDowell. Hiram is proud of his many accomplishments, proud of his kids and his high rank amongst his colleagues. He saves lives. He is giving. But, is he? We find out quickly that behind the scenes, Hiram is a neglectful husband to his third wife, snubs who he pleases, and doesn’t care. He makes enemies of those he wronged. When he gains national recognition for his medical accomplishments, his enemies move to expose his many dishonesties, stripping him of his reputation. Then, he is accused of a separate, and much worse, crime. A series of downfalls lands Hiram alone in the world, and as he delves deeply into his past he finds a new appreciation and respect for his relationships with the people who care about him. He is determined to clear his name and for the world to know his truth.
There were many things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the fast pace of the storyline which ensured I was never bored while reading. I wouldn’t mind reading another novel by William H. Coles. The book felt adventurous at times and the setting and locations were exciting and ever-changing. There are chapters in Chicago, New York, New Orleans, various parts of the West Coast and even the remote mountains of Nepal. I enjoyed the various point-of-view characters introduced through the book. Most of all, I found the several strong, smart and driven female characters inspiring. There is some strong language throughout the dialogs but not excessive.
Minor errors were found throughout the text, so it doesn’t seem the book was professionally edited. Although the storyline was fast-paced, the writing itself was consistent but not particularly memorable. I also felt there was a lot of room to develop the characters further, especially Hiram’s final revelations and the book ending. I needed more closure for a couple of the characters’ storylines too, especially the people Hiram meets in his travels in the second half of the book. However, it may have been the author’s intention to leave the reader wanting more.
I rate McDowell 4 out of 5 stars. I personally enjoyed reading the book, and could only find minor dislikes. Although a shorter novel, McDowell covers several years of storyline events and manages to discuss many social issues such as mental health, gun violence, and women’s rights. It can also be interpreted as a book about self-discovery.
This book can be enjoyed by a broad variety of adult audiences. It touches on many book genres: crime, adventure, travel, survival, medicine, art, LGBT, women’s rights, and light romance. As a backpacker and traveller I particularly enjoyed these aspects of the book. I can also see this book being the perfect entertainment for the airplane.
******
McDowell
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon | on Smashwords
Latest Review: The Story Of... by Shirley B Novack
