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Le Lâche
Question: What's worse than being a fuck-up?
Answer: Being a fuck-up in a wheelchair.
After a car accident Jarred discovers he'll never walk again. Confined to a 'giant roller-skate', he finds himself with neither money nor job. Worse still, he's forced to live back home with the father he hasn't spoken to in ten years.
Add in a shoplifting habit, an addiction to painkillers and the fact that total strangers now treat him like he's an idiot, and it's a recipe for self-destruction. How can he stop himself careering out of control?
As he tries to piece his life together again, he looks back over his past - the tragedy that blasted his family apart, why he ran away, the damage he's caused himself and others - and starts to wonder whether, maybe, things don't always have to stay broken after all.
The Coward is about hurt and forgiveness. It's about how the world treats disabled people. And it's about how we write and rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about our lives - and try to find an ending.
Answer: Being a fuck-up in a wheelchair.
After a car accident Jarred discovers he'll never walk again. Confined to a 'giant roller-skate', he finds himself with neither money nor job. Worse still, he's forced to live back home with the father he hasn't spoken to in ten years.
Add in a shoplifting habit, an addiction to painkillers and the fact that total strangers now treat him like he's an idiot, and it's a recipe for self-destruction. How can he stop himself careering out of control?
As he tries to piece his life together again, he looks back over his past - the tragedy that blasted his family apart, why he ran away, the damage he's caused himself and others - and starts to wonder whether, maybe, things don't always have to stay broken after all.
The Coward is about hurt and forgiveness. It's about how the world treats disabled people. And it's about how we write and rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about our lives - and try to find an ending.
384 pages, Pocket Book
First published July 1, 2021
46 people are currently reading
1893 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
June 15, 2021
*3.5 stars *
Question: “What's worse than being in a wheelchair?
Answer: Being a fuck-up in a wheelchair” - Jarred McGinnis
Jarred and his father have always had a difficult and sometimes violent relationship - until Jarred’s accident, they hadn’t even seen each other for 10 years.
Part memoir, part fiction, this is Jarred McGinnis’s story - he was an angry and disruptive teenager, and suffered psychotic episodes, and the intervening years were not kind either, but because he bottled up his feelings of guilt and hurt, he became an angry twenty something too, and then he had a life changing accident that left him without the use of his legs.
With no money and no job, Jarred finds himself back in his childhood home with his father, where painful and long held resentments are laid bare. Jarred is one heck of a put down merchant, his remarks are caustic to put it mildly, he quite simply alienates people, but it’s clearly a barrier against the world, because he doesn’t want to get close to people - he feels he doesn’t deserve happiness, but you know something - he’s spectacularly amusing at times!
Sometimes we need to see what’s right in front of us, stop fighting, start talking, (not the easiest thing to do, sharing our inner most thoughts).
A gritty look at relationships, and in particular Jarred’s relationship with his father, after Jarred’s mum died from an aneurysm. His father Jack, unable to cope with his loss, turned to the bottle, leaving Jarred to pretty much bring himself up, but is their relationship doomed forever, or can they put the hurt behind them, the broken lives and broken dreams, and start again? Lots of deep and meaningful stuff here.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Question: “What's worse than being in a wheelchair?
Answer: Being a fuck-up in a wheelchair” - Jarred McGinnis
Jarred and his father have always had a difficult and sometimes violent relationship - until Jarred’s accident, they hadn’t even seen each other for 10 years.
Part memoir, part fiction, this is Jarred McGinnis’s story - he was an angry and disruptive teenager, and suffered psychotic episodes, and the intervening years were not kind either, but because he bottled up his feelings of guilt and hurt, he became an angry twenty something too, and then he had a life changing accident that left him without the use of his legs.
With no money and no job, Jarred finds himself back in his childhood home with his father, where painful and long held resentments are laid bare. Jarred is one heck of a put down merchant, his remarks are caustic to put it mildly, he quite simply alienates people, but it’s clearly a barrier against the world, because he doesn’t want to get close to people - he feels he doesn’t deserve happiness, but you know something - he’s spectacularly amusing at times!
Sometimes we need to see what’s right in front of us, stop fighting, start talking, (not the easiest thing to do, sharing our inner most thoughts).
A gritty look at relationships, and in particular Jarred’s relationship with his father, after Jarred’s mum died from an aneurysm. His father Jack, unable to cope with his loss, turned to the bottle, leaving Jarred to pretty much bring himself up, but is their relationship doomed forever, or can they put the hurt behind them, the broken lives and broken dreams, and start again? Lots of deep and meaningful stuff here.
*Thank you to Netgalley and Canongate for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
March 2, 2025
Blind Library Pick 📚
Who else loves to find a surprisingly good book hidden within the shelves of the library?
This was actually my library’s book of the month, which is why I decided to give it a read. However, I took it home, typed it into GR to find that it had actually been on my TBR since 2021 😯 that, I wasn’t expecting! But even more reason to finally get reading it.
‘The distance between fiction and memoir is measured in self-delusions.’
Quick summary: After a car accident Jarred discovers he'll never walk again. He finds himself confined to a wheelchair with neither money nor job. And to make matters worse, he's forced to live back home with the father he hasn't spoken to in ten years; added to the mix is a messy past. His new life is filled with a shoplifting habit, an addiction to painkillers and the fact that strangers now treat him like he's an idiot - it's a recipe for self-destruction. How can he stop himself careering out of control? As he tries to piece his life together again, he looks back over his past - the tragedy that tore his family apart, why he ran away, the damage he's caused himself and others in the process.
This book TORE me apart. I was so not ready for the depth of emotion I would feel for this story and the characters within it. The story is centred around hurt and forgiveness. It's about how the world treats disabled people. And it's about how we write and rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Being disabled myself, I highly resonated with this story. It was very emotional going over old wounds, and despairing with the character. Thankfully, the whole story wasn’t as dark and depressing as it sounds. It did have a lighter side to it; funny moments and a heartwarming twist.
Jarred did an amazing job at developing complexity and depth within each of the characters. Meanwhile, telling a unique and powerful story. I would recommend this read, as it is an important insight into the difficulties the disabled community face on a daily basis. I will warn you it is very sad in places, but uplifting in others. It is a true emotional rollercoaster 🥺🖤🥹
🌟🌟🌟🌟
Who else loves to find a surprisingly good book hidden within the shelves of the library?
This was actually my library’s book of the month, which is why I decided to give it a read. However, I took it home, typed it into GR to find that it had actually been on my TBR since 2021 😯 that, I wasn’t expecting! But even more reason to finally get reading it.
‘The distance between fiction and memoir is measured in self-delusions.’
Quick summary: After a car accident Jarred discovers he'll never walk again. He finds himself confined to a wheelchair with neither money nor job. And to make matters worse, he's forced to live back home with the father he hasn't spoken to in ten years; added to the mix is a messy past. His new life is filled with a shoplifting habit, an addiction to painkillers and the fact that strangers now treat him like he's an idiot - it's a recipe for self-destruction. How can he stop himself careering out of control? As he tries to piece his life together again, he looks back over his past - the tragedy that tore his family apart, why he ran away, the damage he's caused himself and others in the process.
This book TORE me apart. I was so not ready for the depth of emotion I would feel for this story and the characters within it. The story is centred around hurt and forgiveness. It's about how the world treats disabled people. And it's about how we write and rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Being disabled myself, I highly resonated with this story. It was very emotional going over old wounds, and despairing with the character. Thankfully, the whole story wasn’t as dark and depressing as it sounds. It did have a lighter side to it; funny moments and a heartwarming twist.
Jarred did an amazing job at developing complexity and depth within each of the characters. Meanwhile, telling a unique and powerful story. I would recommend this read, as it is an important insight into the difficulties the disabled community face on a daily basis. I will warn you it is very sad in places, but uplifting in others. It is a true emotional rollercoaster 🥺🖤🥹
🌟🌟🌟🌟
June 29, 2021
I thought The Coward was excellent. It is a tough read in places, but also funny, refreshingly honest and uplifting in places.
This is part memoir, part fiction (although I suspect more fiction than memoir); Jarred was a troubled, rebellious teenager whose mother has died and whose father is alcoholic. The book opens with him in his mid-20s, in hospital after a car accident which has left him permanently unable to walk and using a wheelchair. He phones his father, who is now sober, after a 10-year estrangement because he has no-one and nowhere else to go to. The book deals with Jarred’s coming to terms with disability, his shattered but possibly salvageable relationship with his father and his dealing with his own demons – which quite often make him a hard character to like.
It sounds unremittingly grim, but Jarred McGinnis writes extremely well, he structures the story very grippingly and injects enough wit and humour to make this an excellent read. He manages to avoid (and parody on occasion) the toxic positivity which seems to pervade so much discourse these days; being disabled, especially at first, can be emotionally and physically very tough and McGinnis shows both the personal aspects of this and the reactions of others to someone in a wheelchair, both good and bad. It’s clear-eyed and powerful but never self-pitying and nor is it a righteous polemic; it’s just a good story which also has important things to say about attitudes to disability, masculinity, resilience and the possibility of redemption – and what that may actually mean.
For me, The Coward was a very fine novel and a really good read which I can recommend very warmly.
(My thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.)
This is part memoir, part fiction (although I suspect more fiction than memoir); Jarred was a troubled, rebellious teenager whose mother has died and whose father is alcoholic. The book opens with him in his mid-20s, in hospital after a car accident which has left him permanently unable to walk and using a wheelchair. He phones his father, who is now sober, after a 10-year estrangement because he has no-one and nowhere else to go to. The book deals with Jarred’s coming to terms with disability, his shattered but possibly salvageable relationship with his father and his dealing with his own demons – which quite often make him a hard character to like.
It sounds unremittingly grim, but Jarred McGinnis writes extremely well, he structures the story very grippingly and injects enough wit and humour to make this an excellent read. He manages to avoid (and parody on occasion) the toxic positivity which seems to pervade so much discourse these days; being disabled, especially at first, can be emotionally and physically very tough and McGinnis shows both the personal aspects of this and the reactions of others to someone in a wheelchair, both good and bad. It’s clear-eyed and powerful but never self-pitying and nor is it a righteous polemic; it’s just a good story which also has important things to say about attitudes to disability, masculinity, resilience and the possibility of redemption – and what that may actually mean.
For me, The Coward was a very fine novel and a really good read which I can recommend very warmly.
(My thanks to Canongate for an ARC via NetGalley.)
April 16, 2022
I loved this. Fantastic, powerful, thought-provoking – and just a wonderful read.
Read
July 28, 2022An interesting blend of fiction and non-fiction. The author uses a wheelchair as does the main character and they're both called Jarred, but I don't know what's fact and what's fiction, and really it doesn't matter. In his mid-twenties Jarred is in a car accident which kills a young woman. He has no choice but to go back home to live with his father, Jack having been estranged for several years. It's about Jarred coming to terms with how his life has changed, as well as looking back on the years when his mother died and he ran away from home. There are many moving scenes between Jarred and Jack who keep trying to do the right thing, failing, and trying again. Jarred though is a difficult man, maybe justifiably - railing against how people treat and label him, when he often does the same - making assumptions about many people he meets based on what they look like.
(The real) Jarred McGinnis and I will be teaching on a week long Arvon creative writing course in Shropshire in October. More info
(The real) Jarred McGinnis and I will be teaching on a week long Arvon creative writing course in Shropshire in October. More info
July 5, 2021
I wasn’t able to finish this book. I really wanted to like it and I know many others loved it. The problem was that after reading almost half of it, I didn’t feel any affinity with Jarred or Jack and there didn’t seem to be much progession in the story. The style of flitting between current day and Jarred’s childhood/teenage years was also somewhat confusing because there was no indicator of when each chapter was set so I found myself having to stop to check where we were.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2021
"The Coward" by Jarred McGinnis is a novel in which the protagonist is named after the author and is a wheelchair user, like the author, but it's not a work of memoir. We see Jarred in the present and also through flashbacks to his past. Themes include loss of a parent, grief, alcoholism, strained relationships and the enduring power of friendship and first love. It's a story of adjustment and growth, utilising humour throughout, as Jarred comes to terms with an altered way of life.
January 27, 2023
“El covard” és un dels millors llibres que llegit mai. Venia d’una llarga crisi lectora i m’ha fet recuperar l’hàbit.
És punyent i dolorós, a la vegada que es torna entranyable i t’obliga a practicar l’empatia. Molt recomanable!
És punyent i dolorós, a la vegada que es torna entranyable i t’obliga a practicar l’empatia. Molt recomanable!
January 12, 2023
Mostly I think I found this a bit depressing.
July 24, 2021
The Coward, the debut novel from author Jarred McGinnis, is the story of a young man coming to terms with a life-altering accident. Early reviews and interviews note that the author, like his protagonist, uses a wheelchair. And so, through McGinnis’s writing, able-bodied readers are gifted a unique look at an experience many will never understand. Yet, focusing on the protagonist’s disability risks a reductionism that misses the novel’s broader theme of empathy.
Jarred, the novel’s protagonist, is not a very sympathetic person. He’s insecure, narcissistic, manipulative, uncooperative, and self-destructive. He’s a jerk. But he’s an unmistakably relatable jerk. Readers are likely to find some, or all, of Jarred’s behavior familiar in their own lives. Not one’s finest moments, to be sure, but behaviors of which we are all guilty.
And Jarred is not alone in his failings. Nearly every character demonstrates negative traits and behaviors at some point. Often, Jarred’s negativity is a response to the failings of those around him – people who lack self-awareness and tact; people who exhibit their own narcissism and self-destructive behavior; people who lack empathy for others.
In a recent book review for The Guardian, the author writes:
In The Coward, we are privileged to an intimate view of these experiences. While many of these are unique to Jarred’s physical disability, the vast majority are quite familiar. Every one of us has been angry, pitiable, depressed, a problem for someone else, or desiring of a cure. That is not the nature of disability, it is the nature of being human. In this context, The Coward is not a book about a man who becomes disabled. It’s about the human experience we all share.
Jarred’s disability is a physical manifestation of his being a broken person. But what we learn from his relationships with others is that everyone is broken in their own way. As the author said in a recent interview, “disability is a catholic church, of which we will all be a member at some point in our lives.” The Coward is a reminder that none of us is without flaws, and rather than approaching each other with patronizing sympathy or dismissive assumptions, we should remember that we’re all doing our best – even when we sometimes act like jerks.
Jarred, the novel’s protagonist, is not a very sympathetic person. He’s insecure, narcissistic, manipulative, uncooperative, and self-destructive. He’s a jerk. But he’s an unmistakably relatable jerk. Readers are likely to find some, or all, of Jarred’s behavior familiar in their own lives. Not one’s finest moments, to be sure, but behaviors of which we are all guilty.
And Jarred is not alone in his failings. Nearly every character demonstrates negative traits and behaviors at some point. Often, Jarred’s negativity is a response to the failings of those around him – people who lack self-awareness and tact; people who exhibit their own narcissism and self-destructive behavior; people who lack empathy for others.
In a recent book review for The Guardian, the author writes:
“Disabled characters can be angry, pitiable, depressed, a problem for someone else or desiring of a cure. The problem comes when that is all they are. It’s vital to have access to stories where characters with disability reflect the experiences we have rather than the experiences we are assumed to be limited to.”
In The Coward, we are privileged to an intimate view of these experiences. While many of these are unique to Jarred’s physical disability, the vast majority are quite familiar. Every one of us has been angry, pitiable, depressed, a problem for someone else, or desiring of a cure. That is not the nature of disability, it is the nature of being human. In this context, The Coward is not a book about a man who becomes disabled. It’s about the human experience we all share.
Jarred’s disability is a physical manifestation of his being a broken person. But what we learn from his relationships with others is that everyone is broken in their own way. As the author said in a recent interview, “disability is a catholic church, of which we will all be a member at some point in our lives.” The Coward is a reminder that none of us is without flaws, and rather than approaching each other with patronizing sympathy or dismissive assumptions, we should remember that we’re all doing our best – even when we sometimes act like jerks.
May 31, 2024
I enjoyed this, but probably because I understood all the wheelchair feels. The POV was very much internalised ableism and shame which was never really addressed, which I found sad, but fair enough. It was written in a way that seemed to aspire to Stephen King, but was very slow moving and not very thrilling. I appreciated all the wheelchair jokes, rudness and shame, but it didn't really address this by the end, it's end was not satisfying enough.
July 22, 2021
Just brilliant. Via an eponymous protagonist, Jarred writes a wretched, self-hating but deeply human story of guilt, grief and f***ing up. If you reviewed this book with a comment about how you 'had no affinity with the character', not only are you a bad reader, you were given chance to increase your own character and you shrugged it off in your complacency.
Read
January 15, 2023Aquest llibre hauria pogut estar un drama de manual però l'autor l'ha farcit d'ironia i d'humor negre i això fa que sigui un llibre excel·lent i no un drama més.
March 30, 2022
Narration of grief
An interesting book, full of grief, doubt and misery, death and destruction. Why do we read these? To make ourselves feel better? To appreciate what we have? I took from it that I should respect the space of a wheelchair user, but to be honest I know that from pushing children in buggies. I liked Marco and his dad. The were brave beyond words. A hard read, a difficult life lived.
An interesting book, full of grief, doubt and misery, death and destruction. Why do we read these? To make ourselves feel better? To appreciate what we have? I took from it that I should respect the space of a wheelchair user, but to be honest I know that from pushing children in buggies. I liked Marco and his dad. The were brave beyond words. A hard read, a difficult life lived.
January 11, 2022
A bold and gripping part memoir, part fiction that paints a powerful (and at times painful) picture of trauma recovery.
This book is witty in places and distressing in others but there are no rose-tinted glasses in this brutally honest retrospective.
A brilliant book!
This book is witty in places and distressing in others but there are no rose-tinted glasses in this brutally honest retrospective.
A brilliant book!
December 2, 2021
3.75 - gritty & real. Yet some parts left me wanting a whole lot more. Will get a proper review up at some point
October 4, 2022
Probably because I was busy I made slow progress with the first 100 pages or so of this one but then whizzed through the rest on a long coach journey. Enjoyable may not be the word, but definitely worth reading. Hard to say much about the storyline (which is remarkably and refreshingly uncomplicated) without giving away spoilers, although it unfolds quite quickly. However, I'll leave it at, yes, the characters are frustrating at times, but hang in there.
July 2, 2021
The Coward, Jarred McGinnis
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)
I wasn't really sure I could deal with this, part fiction, part bio read. I'm also in a wheelchair, like Jared I wasn't born disabled, and even now 25 years on the frustration between now and my “old” life is hard to deal with.
But I did read it, and what a gripping read it is. Jarred is such a real person. Too often we disabled folk are portrayed as some kind of saint – I've been patted like a dog, had my hair ruffled, been called Brave more times than I can count. We're people, same as able bodied folk, we get angry, we do bad things, we can be impatient, rude, arrogant....and Jarred illustrated most of those at times. There are times when I really want to be like Blunt Jarred. But that's not me ;-( I keep it inside. We are who we are.
Its hard reading, very hard at times but the type of book where you just have to keep going, see whats coming next. I felt for young Jarred but had the benefit of the wider view, knowing why he was acting out. His neighbours, the shopkeepers whose stock he was taking, the schools were he truanted, acted out will have a different view.
I feel for his frustration, I understand why he's rude to those helpful, well meaning folk. Some days you just can't take it. Its not their fault or yours, it just is.
Poor Jarred didn't have the greatest upbringing either, mum died young, dad took to the bottle and Jarred was left to his own devices. For a young, grieving teen that means trouble...and after a few more rows with Jack, his dad, he leaves at just 16. The next time Jack hears from him is ten years later.
Those ten years have changed Jack, but Jarred has been on some kind of merry go round, always searching, always moving on, until he comes to this forcible stop. He's still angry at life, his dad, his older brother, who it seems to him could have helped but turned a blind eye to what was going on.
Now he's even more to be angry about, and I understood his feelings so well. I found losing my work, losing my leg, equaled losing my identity. I just couldn't be grateful for the wheelchair, the false leg, the social workers who were well meaning but really didn't understand. Everything has to be relearned, even simple stuff like turning over in bed. No wonder Jarred was so angry, no wonder he didn't want to deal, he felt guilt for the accident and his friends death, still had his grief for his mum, issues with his dad. He couldn't just be grateful his dad took him in, he was angry and it really was a last resort going back to Jack. What an awful situation to be in.
It was a joy to read how slowly he and Jack found common ground, how his brother acknowledged his position in what happened, how Jack has dealt with his alcoholism and what he'd been doing in the intervening years. They both had a dry sense of humour, that came out at times. When they were laughing at the well meaning but patronizing people that struck a chord. The number of times I've said to family or friends. “I'm going to spit and scream at the next person to pat me”, or where I've paid for something and the change has been ( or attempted to be ) given to whoever is with me. They've been trained, ignore until finally assistant realises its Me that wants the change!)
Sarah was the real life saver, and what a wonderful lady she is/was. Again I'm not sure where reality stops and fiction begins but she was a gem, knew just when to stand back and when to push, exactly what Jarred – and Jack – needed. Her family, wonderful and I hope they're all real. I loved the scenes with Marcus and the time they took him out to the casino. Its back to that “disabled folk should accept their lot and not be out among able bodied people”. That's a very prevalent attitude, one I've met many times. Even my own father expected me at 37 to just be content to sit at home, give up my life. I didn't and I'm so glad Jarred found a way through too.
I've just read his bio, where it mentions his daughters, and that made me really happy that he's found the family he deserves.
Stars: Five, an astonishingly readable, gripping novel.
ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Genre: General Fiction (Adult)
I wasn't really sure I could deal with this, part fiction, part bio read. I'm also in a wheelchair, like Jared I wasn't born disabled, and even now 25 years on the frustration between now and my “old” life is hard to deal with.
But I did read it, and what a gripping read it is. Jarred is such a real person. Too often we disabled folk are portrayed as some kind of saint – I've been patted like a dog, had my hair ruffled, been called Brave more times than I can count. We're people, same as able bodied folk, we get angry, we do bad things, we can be impatient, rude, arrogant....and Jarred illustrated most of those at times. There are times when I really want to be like Blunt Jarred. But that's not me ;-( I keep it inside. We are who we are.
Its hard reading, very hard at times but the type of book where you just have to keep going, see whats coming next. I felt for young Jarred but had the benefit of the wider view, knowing why he was acting out. His neighbours, the shopkeepers whose stock he was taking, the schools were he truanted, acted out will have a different view.
I feel for his frustration, I understand why he's rude to those helpful, well meaning folk. Some days you just can't take it. Its not their fault or yours, it just is.
Poor Jarred didn't have the greatest upbringing either, mum died young, dad took to the bottle and Jarred was left to his own devices. For a young, grieving teen that means trouble...and after a few more rows with Jack, his dad, he leaves at just 16. The next time Jack hears from him is ten years later.
Those ten years have changed Jack, but Jarred has been on some kind of merry go round, always searching, always moving on, until he comes to this forcible stop. He's still angry at life, his dad, his older brother, who it seems to him could have helped but turned a blind eye to what was going on.
Now he's even more to be angry about, and I understood his feelings so well. I found losing my work, losing my leg, equaled losing my identity. I just couldn't be grateful for the wheelchair, the false leg, the social workers who were well meaning but really didn't understand. Everything has to be relearned, even simple stuff like turning over in bed. No wonder Jarred was so angry, no wonder he didn't want to deal, he felt guilt for the accident and his friends death, still had his grief for his mum, issues with his dad. He couldn't just be grateful his dad took him in, he was angry and it really was a last resort going back to Jack. What an awful situation to be in.
It was a joy to read how slowly he and Jack found common ground, how his brother acknowledged his position in what happened, how Jack has dealt with his alcoholism and what he'd been doing in the intervening years. They both had a dry sense of humour, that came out at times. When they were laughing at the well meaning but patronizing people that struck a chord. The number of times I've said to family or friends. “I'm going to spit and scream at the next person to pat me”, or where I've paid for something and the change has been ( or attempted to be ) given to whoever is with me. They've been trained, ignore until finally assistant realises its Me that wants the change!)
Sarah was the real life saver, and what a wonderful lady she is/was. Again I'm not sure where reality stops and fiction begins but she was a gem, knew just when to stand back and when to push, exactly what Jarred – and Jack – needed. Her family, wonderful and I hope they're all real. I loved the scenes with Marcus and the time they took him out to the casino. Its back to that “disabled folk should accept their lot and not be out among able bodied people”. That's a very prevalent attitude, one I've met many times. Even my own father expected me at 37 to just be content to sit at home, give up my life. I didn't and I'm so glad Jarred found a way through too.
I've just read his bio, where it mentions his daughters, and that made me really happy that he's found the family he deserves.
Stars: Five, an astonishingly readable, gripping novel.
ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers
June 15, 2021
2.5 stars ⭐️
The Coward follows the story of Jarred, estranged from his father, still grieving the loss of his mother and learning to live following a car accident which leaves him bound to a wheelchair.
Examining themes of masculinity, loss, coming of age, relationships and of course living with a disability, it is not an easy read and there are plenty of moments of shade.
I found Jack and Sarah’s characters very well written overall. I felt I understood their lives and the way they acted, as well as what brought them to this point.
As a protagonist I found Jarred incredibly hard to like and resonate with. I found his quips and rudeness towards others about his new disability very honest and refreshing and it made me check my privilege. However, how he acts in some parts of the book really did make it hard for me to like him.
The structure of the book was also something I struggled with as it jumps from present to past throughout, constantly introducing new characters and settings which was just a little too confusing for a fairly short story where not that much actually happens or changes after the first 100 pages.
I also wish the author had elaborated more on the accident. How it happened, the aftermath, was the other driver hurt or charged and also what happened to Melissa? How did she die and what about her family who were raising a court case?
I think a lot of loose ends needed tying up at the end of this book. But instead the ending just left me feeling like it was unfinished. The ending is really blunt and just let me down. I was about to round this review up to 3 stars, but just couldn’t justify it after the ending unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review.
The Coward follows the story of Jarred, estranged from his father, still grieving the loss of his mother and learning to live following a car accident which leaves him bound to a wheelchair.
Examining themes of masculinity, loss, coming of age, relationships and of course living with a disability, it is not an easy read and there are plenty of moments of shade.
I found Jack and Sarah’s characters very well written overall. I felt I understood their lives and the way they acted, as well as what brought them to this point.
As a protagonist I found Jarred incredibly hard to like and resonate with. I found his quips and rudeness towards others about his new disability very honest and refreshing and it made me check my privilege. However, how he acts in some parts of the book really did make it hard for me to like him.
The structure of the book was also something I struggled with as it jumps from present to past throughout, constantly introducing new characters and settings which was just a little too confusing for a fairly short story where not that much actually happens or changes after the first 100 pages.
I also wish the author had elaborated more on the accident. How it happened, the aftermath, was the other driver hurt or charged and also what happened to Melissa? How did she die and what about her family who were raising a court case?
I think a lot of loose ends needed tying up at the end of this book. But instead the ending just left me feeling like it was unfinished. The ending is really blunt and just let me down. I was about to round this review up to 3 stars, but just couldn’t justify it after the ending unfortunately.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of the book to review.
November 24, 2021
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I zoomed through this, and it was a real restraint to keep to the read along dates that I was taking part in because I just wanted to keep reading
Imperfect characters? Boy did I get a load. I loved the rollercoaster of Jarred and Jack’s relationship, from the flashbacks to the present, and I learnt a lot from what was brought up about disability in this. This is not quite a memoir, but there are some similarities between our main character Jarred and author Jarred and there were points where you really felt like the writing was becoming a cathartic process. His words really touched me.
I also love the use of comedy, it’s perfectly balanced in scenes that would probably have been a tear-jerker and you can really hear the sarcastic voices of the characters in your head.
The fact that this is a debut blows my mind, as I feel like with his writing quality, McGinnis has been writing for years.
I zoomed through this, and it was a real restraint to keep to the read along dates that I was taking part in because I just wanted to keep reading
Imperfect characters? Boy did I get a load. I loved the rollercoaster of Jarred and Jack’s relationship, from the flashbacks to the present, and I learnt a lot from what was brought up about disability in this. This is not quite a memoir, but there are some similarities between our main character Jarred and author Jarred and there were points where you really felt like the writing was becoming a cathartic process. His words really touched me.
I also love the use of comedy, it’s perfectly balanced in scenes that would probably have been a tear-jerker and you can really hear the sarcastic voices of the characters in your head.
The fact that this is a debut blows my mind, as I feel like with his writing quality, McGinnis has been writing for years.
November 30, 2021
I agree with Irvine Welsh: This is a beautiful novel. I saw it reviewed on Between The Covers and my lovely wife bought it for my birthday. Funny, moving, quite disturbing in places but eminently readable. Jarred McGinnis has written a debut novel that lays bare difficult relationships in a fascinating way. I usually find books with timeshifts in them slightly hard to follow but not in this case
August 6, 2021
When I requested this book I somehow thought it's going to be a thriller? Don't ask me why, since I obviously read the blurb, lol.
Anyways, as I said while reviewing The Ghost Marriage: A Memoir it's always weird to rate a memoir, because you sort of rate someone's personal choices. This books is part memoir, part fiction, so I'll rate it like that.
I'm not rating Jarred's life choices, no matter if I agree with them or not.
I'm rating the writing, the pace, the general feeling.
Even though the writing is not amazing, it's very decent and I'm excited to see what the author will present in the future.
The pace was sort of disjointed at the beginning, but after I got used to it, the reading went smoothly. It's a fast read, and I read this book in like one day, staying up until 2am to finish it (which I think tells everything).
I receiverd this book from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
Anyways, as I said while reviewing The Ghost Marriage: A Memoir it's always weird to rate a memoir, because you sort of rate someone's personal choices. This books is part memoir, part fiction, so I'll rate it like that.
I'm not rating Jarred's life choices, no matter if I agree with them or not.
I'm rating the writing, the pace, the general feeling.
Even though the writing is not amazing, it's very decent and I'm excited to see what the author will present in the future.
The pace was sort of disjointed at the beginning, but after I got used to it, the reading went smoothly. It's a fast read, and I read this book in like one day, staying up until 2am to finish it (which I think tells everything).
I receiverd this book from the Publisher in an exchange for an honest review
April 3, 2022
This powerful book is part memoir, part novel and although it is ostensibly about the author coming to terms with an accident that killed his friend and left him a paraplegic, it is far more than that.
Jarred’s parents are functioning alcoholics, right up to the point when his mother suffers a fatal aneurysm. Things quickly spiral downwards for Jarred and his father and we learn about the past in flashback until the 2 timelines gradually meet.
This is a deeply moving book, authentically depicting life in a wheelchair and finding redemption can come in unexpected ways.
I listened to the audiobook version of this and it’s beautifully narrated.
Jarred’s parents are functioning alcoholics, right up to the point when his mother suffers a fatal aneurysm. Things quickly spiral downwards for Jarred and his father and we learn about the past in flashback until the 2 timelines gradually meet.
This is a deeply moving book, authentically depicting life in a wheelchair and finding redemption can come in unexpected ways.
I listened to the audiobook version of this and it’s beautifully narrated.
December 9, 2021
I read this book after hearing it reviewed on 'Between the covers' - I would not have chosen it otherwise as the title, book cover and summary would have put me off. I'm glad that I did, though, as it is well written, interesting and a bit different. It is the story of a troubled man who has to re-examine his past and future after becoming a paraplegic after a car accident. Although the characters in the book are all flawed they come across as very human with redeeming features as they battle to make sense of the world.
February 14, 2022
Brilliant. I laughed out loud - a lot.
Great book, inspiring. Enjoyed every minute of it. Wonderfully crafted, amazing characters and brilliant funny dialogue. I can't recommend it enough. It deals with a whole raft of difficult subjects with a wonderful sleight of hand.
Great book, inspiring. Enjoyed every minute of it. Wonderfully crafted, amazing characters and brilliant funny dialogue. I can't recommend it enough. It deals with a whole raft of difficult subjects with a wonderful sleight of hand.
October 9, 2022
Le lâche, c’est Jarred, 26 ans, depuis peu en fauteuil roulant après un accident de voiture qui a coûté la vie à son amie d’enfance Melissa.
Sans travail, avec des dettes, il fait appel à son père qu’il n’a pas vu depuis 10 ans. Commence alors une cohabitation compliquée faite de rancœurs et de non-dits.
Heureusement, père et fils ont de l’humour et cachent leurs sentiments derrière une ironie mordante.
Petit à petit, nous découvrons l’enfance et l’adolescence compliquée de Jarred, entre une mère mourante et un père perdu.
J’ai eu de la peine pour Jarred le menteur qui fuit toujours, qui n’est bien nulle part.
J’ai eu de la peine pour son père, devenu alcoolique et qui devait gérer seul un adolescent fuyant.
J’ai failli avoir une indigestion de donuts à force de suivre père et fils au café du coin.
Les frasques de Jarred m’ont à la fois étonnées et exaspérées, tout en attendant de lire la suivante, et de m’en désolée.
J’ai été toutefois surprise par la fin que j’ai trouvé un peu rapide mais qui ne vient pas gâcher ma lecture
Une citation :
Une autre des petites plaisanteries favorite du Seigneur : la fraternité humaine ne s’éprouve que dans l’addiction. (p.170)
L’image que je retiendrai :
Celle de la passion des orchidées du père de Jarred, des moments de calme et de détente.
https://alexmotamots.fr/le-lache-jarr...
December 14, 2021
For a debut novel, this is a great and ambitious piece of writing. The narrative flits through the past and the present, however interestingly this mostly happens once the main character begins to open up emotionally. It's an effective tactic and I believe that McGinnis has a great future in writing.
I will say that the main character himself is not the most likeable, but that is perhaps what makes the novel so realistic. This is a character who has been through enough trauma to turn them bitter, and the author will not manipulate his personality in any way to make it easier for the reader to swallow.
I removed two stars because there were times I wasn't completely sure where the story was heading, and I felt that some parts could have been removed and were slightly unecessary. A great read nonetheless.
I will say that the main character himself is not the most likeable, but that is perhaps what makes the novel so realistic. This is a character who has been through enough trauma to turn them bitter, and the author will not manipulate his personality in any way to make it easier for the reader to swallow.
I removed two stars because there were times I wasn't completely sure where the story was heading, and I felt that some parts could have been removed and were slightly unecessary. A great read nonetheless.
April 13, 2024
El covard ha estat el primer llibre que llegeixo en què una persona en cadira de rodes és la protagonista. Clarament, falten més persones amb capacitats diverses sent protagonistes de les històries que llegim.
La història que ens presenta El covard m'ha semblat dura, però he gaudit molt l'humor que McGinnis fa servir per a fer-la més passadora. A més, Llisterri tradueix aquest humor amb un encert exquisit.
M'he enfadat el protagonista per certes decisions que prenia, així com he patit i m'he alegrat en d'altres. En conclusió: aquest llibre m'ha fet sentir i això és el que demano a un llibre.
La història que ens presenta El covard m'ha semblat dura, però he gaudit molt l'humor que McGinnis fa servir per a fer-la més passadora. A més, Llisterri tradueix aquest humor amb un encert exquisit.
M'he enfadat el protagonista per certes decisions que prenia, així com he patit i m'he alegrat en d'altres. En conclusió: aquest llibre m'ha fet sentir i això és el que demano a un llibre.
February 22, 2022
An enlightening read. I love Jarred’s voice throughout and feel that real roller coaster of emotion with him. I laughed out loud and cried proper ugly tears - sometimes in the same sitting. But Jack’a character made it for me - such a beautiful person. Not saintly or perfect (in fact, far from it at some points!) but someone who recognises his imperfections/faults and endeavours to do anything he can to make them right and then do the same in others. A thoroughly enjoyable read.
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