McDowell

by William H. Coles

An admired and lauded surgeon climbs to the top of his profession.  But his callous and questionably moral determination angers colleagues and friends who vow to destroy him.  He becomes a member of the President’s cabinet when a personal family tragedy presents him with a dilemma that leads to a felonious crime.  When his world of wealth and privilege collapses, only time can reveal if he rebuilds his life to garner always-desired esteem.

William H. Coles is the award-winning author of short stories, essays on writing, interviews, and novels in contests such as the Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction and the William Faulkner Creative Writing Competition, among others. He is the creator of storyinliteraryfiction.com, a site dedicated to educational material, a workshop, and examples for writers seeking to create lasting character-based fiction with strong dramatic plots that stimulates thought about the human condition. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Genres: Fiction

315 pages, ebook

About the author

I am the owner and developer of the website Story in Literary Fiction as well as several mobile applications. I've written all of the content on my website: short stories, novels, essays, interviews and produced downloadable-audio readings of stories. I've also written several novels. My interviews include: prominent authors, educators, writers and editors.

In addition, I'm the producer and reader of audiobooks: Open Book Audio. Finally, I provide a free online workshop for fiction authors and a tutorial.

Reviews

[TaQuanda Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was hard to get through. The story jumped all over the place and I couldn't figure out what the story was actually about.

[Katrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing a good story with a deeply dislikeable main character is a difficult task, and unfortunately, I don’t think the author pulled it off here. While the central theme was solid enough, the execution left a lot to be desired. Too many paper thin characters and plot points that are skimmed over and rushed.


This was an FRC in exchange for an honest review. With thanks to Netgalley and BookBuzz.Net

[Susan Keefe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how the mighty fall…

Multiple award willing literary fiction author William H. Coles has used his life experiences in the worlds of medicine, music, and writing to create this unforgettable thriller filled with mystery and suspense. Creator of storyinliteraryfiction.com a resources website for the authors, illustrators and readers, William Cole lives and writes in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The stories main character Hiram McDowell is a respected surgeon, set on a glorious path to success. However, like many before him, whilst travelling on his meteoric rise to greatness Hiram has no compunction in leaving in his wake the lesser beings (in his opinion), who for a short while have entered his life, fulfilled their roles as wives, sponsors and allies in his rise to fame. An arrogant and self-centred globetrotting celebrity, used to being the centre of attention, he is calculating, ambitious, and domineering towards his children. Highly regarded and used to basking in praised for his good works, he has grown to consider himself invincible, spending his time indulging in his great loves of mountain climbing, music and captivating beautiful women for sex.

Throughout the story it is clear how controlling he is towards his children, yet how much he supports and protects them. However, when as a result of a terrible event his grandson Jeremy is left on life support he takes control to a new level when decides to take things in his own hands, and as a result is accused of an horrendous crime, and given a prison sentence.

Life changing events do just that, and at this point in the story, the character we know as Hiram changes beyond recognition, as he escapes from prison and becomes a fugitive on the run. Crossing America, living inconspicuously in quiet locations, he evolves into someone totally different, kind and caring, with empathy for those whose lives cross his, everything is documented in his biography, but will it ever be published?

Can we escape our past decisions in life, or are they destined forever to define us? This is the question I found myself asking at the end of this absorbing book. Hiram’s character captured my rapt attention from the very first page because of a myriad of reasons, fascination being just one of them. With a totally unexpected end, this story is packed full of mystery and suspense and is one of the best I have ever read.

[Grant Leishman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed For Readers' Favorite by Grant Leishman

McDowell by William H Coles brings us the tale of a man who, having reached the top of his profession, self-destructs and loses it all, then attempts to rebuild his life from scratch. McDowell is a world-renowned surgeon, lauded by all as one of the best in the business and he knows it. This overachiever climbs mountains in his spare time and has summitted Everest along with most of the highest peaks in Nepal. He is known by all as cold, ruthless and someone who will do anything to anyone to get what he wants and to get his own way. His children, from several marriages, are estranged in many ways but he still has taken responsibility for their wellbeing and their financial security despite not quite being able to confess and show his true feelings to them. When McDowell’s lying and cheating comes back to haunt him, first in small ways but eventually in a way that will destroy his carefully choreographed career and life, McDowell suddenly finds himself all alone and a hunted man. How will this humbling experience affect this man who has always been in control and had his finger on the pulse?

I found McDowell an interesting character and one that evoked strong emotions in the reader. Kudos to author William H Coles, who was able to extract the gamut of emotional responses from the reader. Initially, we feel nothing but scorn and disbelief at the coldness and callousness of the character but as time goes on the empathy and even sympathy for his predicament, despite it being of his own making, begins to take control. McDowell, when faced with total loss and devastation must look inside for the answers and the author takes him on not just a physical journey but a spiritual one also. I won’t spoil the plot by revealing the major ethical dilemma McDowell was involved in but it ran as a common thread through much of the narrative and required the reader to make his or her own personal decision about the morality or otherwise of the act. Although I did feel at times the narrative meandered a little and the constant flip-flopping of points of view was wearying sometimes, this is a very straightforward, readable story with a strong message and an unexpected ending. I can definitely recommend this read.

[Marissa Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is written from the omnipresent third person's view which gave me the feeling of being introduced to each character and has made me preoccupied while reading this book, with the characters in living their respective lives.

There are two parts in this book: Part One and Part Two. Part One described more about Hiram McDowell whose profession is a surgeon, he is a world class mountain climber and a philanthropist (in a minuscule way) for the healthcare foundation in Nepal.

Part two is about the downfall of Hiram McDowell but his downfall serves as a stepping stone to his reformation, which detached him from his old point of views. This book got me on the edge of my seat as Coles unexpectedly woven an unexpectable twist.

I recommend this book to those who are looking for a unique and different storyline, and to those who are looking for a philosophical read although in a fictional way. If you are someone who is easily get offended with sensitive topics like sexism and racism, then it's best you skip this one.

[Bonnye Reed]

Nertgalley
Pub date Aug 22, 2015
Storyinliteraryfiction.com

[Nila Eslit · Rating 3 out of 5]

William H. Coles' "McDowell" follows the story of Hiram McDowell, a famous surgeon, and a skilled mountain climber. Hiram is a self-centered man who cares for no one except his children. He may be a fictitious character, but sadly, Hiram represents many people in the real world where fame and recognition are the only things that matter to them. But, no matter how despicable he may seem to his colleagues, Hiram McDowell is not beyond change and remorse. After all, no person is inherently bad.

It takes several chapters before the author builds up his story, making it boring and dragging in pace. I almost lost interest in reading it. Besides, Coles tends to jump from one chapter to another, introducing new characters and story not related to the previous chapters. The story becomes interesting only in the later chapters. And so, I still recommend it to readers 15 years old and above. I give "McDowell" a rating of 3 out of 5 stars.

[Eleanor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to OnlineBookClub.org for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this.

This was, in my opinion, a very strange book. I shall attempt to summarise the plot briefly, but I'm afraid I am going to find it quite difficult. The plot was very... [i]all over the place[/i], for lack of a better term.

As the title suggests, this novel follows the life of Hiram McDowell, a wealthy surgeon and father. He has been married several times, and is currently with his wife Carole, who has two daughters of her own. One of the first noteworthy happenings involves one of these daughters, Tasha, and Hiram's son, Billie. Tasha falls pregnant with Billie's child. Hiram refuses to accept this, denying Billie's involvement with Tasha or his responsibility with the child. A restraining order is placed against Billie, and he falls into a depression of sorts. The next major event involves Hiram's eleven-year-old grandson, Jeremy. His mother has known something was different about him for a while, but her husband refused to listen. Eventually, Jeremy goes on a killing spree, shooting classmates, teachers, his sister and his mother, before then shooting himself. But he is not dead - severely brain-damaged and unconscious, but alive nonetheless. Hiram's second daughter, Sophie, tries to encourage Jeremy to communicate with them, to show that he can hear them. But McDowell does not believe he will ever recover.

Soon, Jeremy passes away. Evidence suggests McDowell's involvement in the death; murder? Euthanasia? He is convicted and sentenced to several decades imprisonment. But before long, McDowell decides he doesn't deserve this, and so he escapes. His past experience in hiking and mountain-climbing enables him to survive without proper human contact for weeks, [i]months[/i], at a time, until he believes it is safe enough for him to migrate back into society. He begins a new life, developing different identities and beginning to earn a living again. He meets a lot of people, many of which become quite attached to him. But the law soon comes after him, and he is forced to move on.

In the end, McDowell is betrayed by a woman who's life he saved. He is shot dead, accused of resisting the arrest despite no evidence of any weapons or fighting.

Of course, there are a lot of subplots that I haven't included. There are also a lot of characters that have gone unnamed; too many, I believe. I couldn't keep track of all the different characters and stories in the end. I got a bit lost, and felt no emotional connection to any of them whatsoever. This was probably my biggest criticism; there was a distinct lack of emotion. At the end of the novel, it was suggested that McDowell had grown as a person since his arrest, but I didn't see any of this character growth myself. I didn't [i]feel[/i] anything.

Another issue I had with this book was the repetitive nature of the writing. Several details were repeated within close proximity, removing any subtlety to the writing. I also found that the inner dialogue of characters was not particularly convincing, sounding clunky and awkward.

Throughout the book there were paragraphs in italics, supposedly a separate narrative/summary of the events. But these paragraphs sounded exactly the same as the rest of the writing, and I failed to understand why they were separated from the rest of the text by being in italics.

I know there are a lot of negatives in this review, but I didn't actually [i]hate[/i] the book. I can't say I enjoyed it, either, though. There was definite room for improvement, and very little that was noteworthy in a positive way. I'm giving this book 1 out of 5 stars.

[Norm Goldman · Rating 5 out of 5]

In McDowell: A Novel, Award-Winning author William H. Coles explores the life-altering consequences of Dr. Hiram McDowell who rises to the pinnacle of his profession only to see his life turned completely upside down owing to his many indiscretions.
While at the top, Hiram was President of the Board of Regents of the International College of Surgeons, a department head of surgery in a prestigious hospital in Denver, founder of a philanthropic organization for the care of the indigent in Nepal, a serious mountain climber and marathon runner and a member of the President's task force to launch the healthcare initiative for financing the uninsured. Nonetheless, he was not without numerous flaws that ultimately lead to his self-destruction.

Hiram is not a very nice dude. He is a philander, egotistical, cunning, deceitful, arrogant, believes he is a good person and doesn't know why bad things happen to good people, and he is only interested in fame and admiration. In addition, he never takes responsibility for his life, and without realizing it, he believes that things are pre-determined, essentially unchangeable and when something goes wrong, he blames it on others as if he is the victim rather than the cause.

His life begins to unravel and matters begin to take a turn for the worse, when a colleague of Hiram investigates his lab and finds scientific dishonesty. Hiram claims it was loose management that resulted in the improprieties and he should not be blamed for it. He has also been accused of fundraising malfeasance pertaining to the Nepal philanthropic organization, which he founded, when a television journalist Page Sterling investigates his activities. She also discovers that he used funds for travel and mountain climbing that were not related to the foundation's mission. Above all, and the most damning, were the accusations by Page and her cronies concerning a abominable event that he was involved in relating to his grandson Jeremy.

The story is told in two parts, the first dealing with Hiram and his “life-devote-to me” where he is self absorbed with personal achievements and fame. He is so involved with his admirable image that his life becomes a selfish pursuit of wealth and recognition. The second part paints a picture of someone who has transformed and who takes up a new identity. He makes friends with people he would have previously dismissed and he helps others. He does take responsibility for being the cause of his misfortunes. He is now looking for meaning in his ruined life and tries to figure out what went wrong in his life.

This is a wholly involving novel, highly complex and is ideal for readers who believe that fiction is a way of discovering the best and the worst in our selves. Not only does the story move forward on the power of its central character Hiram, but also on the supporting characters, the driven television journalist, Page and Hiram's daughter Sophie. They are never merely props, and through these characters Coles cleverly prods his readers to view a flawed life from two different perspectives while asking readers to set aside our moral judgments. One of the challenges facing the contemporary novelist is to capture the intrinsic aspects and complexities of a life gone astray without boring the reader, and this is where Coles excels.
Follow Here https://waa.ai/olF2 to Read Norm's Interview With William H. Coles and Here https://waa.ai/olFB to Read a Previous Interview.

[Emi Yoshida · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hiram McDowell's life is complex: married three times with three children plus step-kids, living and working in hospitals in Denver and Louisville and Kathmandu, plus spending time in Chicago on the board for the International College of Surgeons. He is egotistical and obsessive by nature, with an utter lack of empathy and disregard for the feelings of others; the way he talks to and about everyone is caustic, withering and unforgivable and yet nobody addresses any of this ever, and he has sex with women all over the place.

At first I was intrigued by McDowell's contemptible sexist superficiality, assuming it was written thusly in order to facilitate his morphing into humaneness via a spectacular story arc. But soon I noticed that every (powerful) male character treats women shabbily and every (submissive) female's description is limited to her body weight and her lusty bits. It's never explained why McDowell has such hostility against women. Or why McDowell's daughter Sophie goes from being a submissive lesbian, to falling in love with a male Prince Charming figure; which on its own is not intrinsically problematic, but then there's a homosexual character who steals away the lesbian girlfriend and that for me was a bridge too far.

My favorite part was reading about Hiram's time on the lam, I liked how he managed to MacGuyver untraceable phone calls, withdraw enough money to survive on without drawing attention from authorities and hired detectives, and also carry around a memoir he's writing long-hand in addition to his essentials and household goods. I would be willing to read a short story by this author, as that's his specialty. Perhaps if all the unfleshed out superfluous characters, plot twists, and all the men being hateful to women for no reason were eliminated there would be a tight story here.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The motives and means of McDowell’s death will always be front page interest”

Utah author William H. Coles, MD is a retired Ophthalmologist whose medical career was internationally lauded for his expertise as an ophthalmic surgeon specializing in ocular injury repair and reconstruction, a professor and chairman at SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine, a Regent for The American College of Surgeons, president of the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology, and lecturer on mechanistic biologic ophthalmic research and ophthalmic surgery internationally. Preparing for his career as a literary fiction writer Coles studied in more than 100 courses and workshops with more than seventy-five authors, editors, and teachers and created storyinliteraryfiction.com, a website with resources for fiction writers, illustrators, and avid fiction readers. He has published ten books - five novels, collections of short fiction and three books on the writing of fiction stories. He has also garnered honors for his participation in the arts – jazz piano, antique art, museums, and historic preservation.

After reading MCDOWELL and absorbing this consummate novel of the rise and fall of one man’s existence, read the book again – this time to bask in the brilliant prose and, yes, poetry, written by an author whose name should be on every list of significant contemporary writers. William H. Coles blends his depth of knowledge about medicine with his extraordinary sensitivity to philosophy and the true meaning of life as it can be lived, abused, fractured, and redeemed – all in the story of one Hiram McDowell.

Cole’s election to open his story on the snowy mountains in Nepal in 1981 does more than capture the reader’s attention with a scene and deed that overshadows the theme of the book: it gives immediate evidence of the polished prose that fills every page of this book. ‘The sky cleared briefly before daybreak. The sharp, bitter winds eased somewhat, but the negative forty-degree temperatures penetrated to the bone. Hiram McDowell lifted the flap of a one-man tent to look in on Erick Woolf, who turned his head, his beard tinged in frost-white from his labored breathing; Woolf lifted his goggles, his pale blue eyes opaque with fatigue. “You ready?” Hiram asked. Woolf shook his head “no,” trying to smile but his face remained motionless. Hiram took off his outer gloves, freed up an oxygen tank from Woolf’s backpack, and placed the mask on Woolf’s face. Woolf rallied after a few minutes of oxygen. Within half an hour, with four other climbers, Hiram and Woolf started for the summit. Woolf’s fatigue slowed progress and after an hour they soon fell behind the others. The wind gusts increased. Woolf sank into a sitting position a few yards from a slope of snow and ice. Hiram steadied himself on a steep vertical. For a few seconds, the visibility improved, but he saw no one. “Go,” Woolf called to him, his voice husky dry. “I can’t do it.” With only slight hesitation, Hiram waved his agreement. He had only two hours or less to summit before their oxygen supply ran low. And Woolf was too weak to go on; the rest would strengthen him. At the summit, Hiram took photos and, for a few minutes, absorbed the satisfaction of his achievement and the awe of the view from the highest point on earth. Winds picked up, and snow and haze decreased visibility as he began his descent. He pressed on. After an hour, he stumbled onto Woolf a few feet from where he had left him. “Get up,” Hiram yelled over the howling wind. “Help me. In the name of God,” Woolf pleaded. Hiram gripped Woolf’s parka to help him stand, but Hiram was too weak to lift, and Woolf fell back. “Rescue,” Woolf moaned, drifting off into semi-consciousness. Rescue from base camp was impossible until the weather improved. And they were in the dead zone, too high for helicopters. Hiram freed Woolf’s remaining oxygen supply and attached it to his own pack. “Don’t leave me, Hiram.” Woolf coughed. Hiram backed away and started down. Climbing ropes aided him for a few hundred yards. Near a rock crevice familiar to him, he stumbled on the half-buried lifeless body of a facedown climber. A candy bar and water were in the inner jacket pocket. Near the corpse’s outstretched arm, a glint of silver stopped Hiram. From hard snow and the ice-solid fabric of a frozen glove-hand, he freed a silver crucifix that he pocketed for identification and to send to family. He plodded ahead. The storm abated and he felt the muted exhilaration at knowing he would not die. On return home after his miracle survival, Hiram dreamed of immortality. He determined to climb every peak above 8000 meters in Nepal.’ And therein lies the rub!

The synopsis touches on the novel’s course – Hiram McDowell, an admired, lauded, arrogant surgeon climbs to the top of his profession. But his callous and questionably moral determination angers colleagues and friends who vow to destroy him. He becomes a member of the President’s cabinet when a personal family tragedy presents him with a dilemma that leads to a felonious crime. When his world of wealth and privilege collapses, only time can reveal if he rebuilds his life to garner always-desired esteem. McDowell’s passion for his children is hacked by his grandson’s murders and attempted suicide and subsequent mental illness which leads to McDowell’s trial and jailing for second degree murder, his escape and squandering his emotional resources as he gropes for meaning, for redemption from the fall from grace his being has suffered. The ending of the novel explores euthanasia vs. suicide and a long deep breath that forms the creation of McDowell’s biography.

William H. Coles is most assuredly one of our finest American authors, an artist in line with Ian McEwan, Michael Chabon, Jeffrey Eugenides, Jonathan Franzen et al. Highly Recommended.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t finish it.

I’ll give it one star for making an attempt at the difficult art of writing a character the reader is supposed to dislike (and because I don’t have a lesser choice). It’s hard to portray these characters. I get it.

With that said, this just felt poorly written no matter how many awards the author throws in the heading.

[A. A. MacConnell · Rating 3 out of 5]

McDowell follows the titular man himself, Hiram McDowell. He is very successful in his career, but less so in his personal life. Yet this doesn’t appear to bother him at all, as his callous and lack of understanding in his personal relationships causes people to question his success. Did he truly know what was going on, or were the crimes done under his name an oversight? Then comes the one crime he cannot slip and the rest of the novel follows him as he attempts to make his side of the story known.

This book is separated into two parts: everything before the final capital C Crime, and after McDowell escapes from prison. Did he deserve it? The first part would have you say yes and the second part… well, that is a bit more complicated. The two parts of the book really did feel separate. McDowell in the first half is an abject piece of garbage as a human being. He manipulates people, doesn’t care much about them, and appears to be in his career path for money. When things go wrong he does not step up, he throws money at it.

Hiram isn’t the only POV character, there are many others. This is both the weakness and the most interesting part of the novel. These other characters aren’t always better than Hiram. I am not certain if I was supposed to like them either. The only character I felt any connection with was Sophie and, eventually, Paige. Yet following their stories and how Hiram’s life and choices had them all interact with each other ended feeling hollow. There wasn’t much of a conclusion for any of them. In the first half of the book we had some scenes from Hiram’s youngest son’s, Billie’s, POV. He appears to have some interesting things going on. But his story then happens out of view and we only hear about it from the perspective of other characters.

Back to Hiram. In the end, I wasn’t sure how I was supposed to feel about McDowell. I am also unsure if this was the intent of the novel. The crime he is accused of halfway through the novel is a serious one, one that is given potential justification in the second half. Yet there was never a moment I thought he would do such a thing for a selfless reason. Not even for his family. While he has a moment or two with Sophie and Billie, none of that feels like enough that he would actively sacrifice for anyone. And as nothing in the first part of the novel gave me the impression he would do that and the second part of the novel doesn’t really have any internal thoughts or onscreen dialogue satisfactory in explaining those actions, I can’t really attribute this crime as anything other than selfish and angry.

Which in itself would be fine. I wouldn’t mind reading about a man who learnt after doing such a thing that while there were some good things coming out from that, that he was driven primarily for the wrong reasons. But that never happened. He was learning something for sure, I could tell that, but I never really got the impression that he had reached a point of understanding what caused his fall from “grace”. And the story ends without enough of a resolution on that point.

I would have accepted that too, if after Hiram’s last scenes we had more of a resolution with any of the other characters, but it didn’t feel like that. Not after everything brought up about all of them. Sophie’s feelings for another character, reaching peak drama near the end of the book, isn’t really shown. We are told about their feelings for each other and we have to accept it because we don’t see anything else. Sophie and Paige’s friendship looked like it might be the most interesting interaction in the entire book, but all reconciliation after any spats was also passed over for the next scene.

My other problem with the book was that I could never tell how much time had passed. Someone would mention a prior event in passing and mention it was years ago, surprising me because I might have guessed it was a few months. Perhaps that was me missing some subtle cues, but I’m not sure the timeline of a novel like this should be subtle.

In the end, I feel as though this was a fascinating plot which was failed, not by the style of writing, but by what was and was not focused on. I really want to recommend it though, because the plot was so good. But the ending doesn’t leave you with much, so unless you are up for a downer, give this book a pass.

[Savannah Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

McDowell is a novel by award-winning author William H. Coles.  The story centers around Dr. Hiram McDowell and deals with issues of morality, justice, and personal development.

The reader is introduced to the deeply-flawed Dr. McDowell; a brash and arrogant man on his third marriage.  Beyond his character deficits, we learn of the hospital he has built in Nepal and the charitable foundation he founded.  

Dr. McDowell’s ambition leads him to the top of his field, but his questionable methods in getting there create enemies along the way.  We watch his induction as the President of the International College of Surgeons and later his confirmation as Secretary of Health and Human Services.  Enemies of the doctor are quick to dig up his misdeeds, and he has to face the consequences of his contentious decisions.  

Through the first half of the book, accusations of comparatively smaller transgressions begin to mount up against Dr. McDowell.  Those with unfavorable views of the doctor bring light to accusations of scientific misconduct, lies within his ghost-written memoir, and misappropriation of foundation funds.  We eventually witness Dr. McDowell’s most controversial choice.  A tragic event entangling his family drives Hiram McDowell to commit a crime.

The reader is left to ponder the morality of Dr. McDowell’s actions as he goes on the run.  Was he enacting revenge, or acting out of compassion?  Was his history of questionable morality what allowed him to make such a brazen decision?  Were his actions, though criminal, in other people's best interest?  

In the second half of the book, Hiram McDowell, a man once determined to climb every peak in Nepal above 8,000 meters, adapts quickly to life on the run.  Though he was once a man desiring solitude, he soon begins to yearn for human contact again.  Hiram’s new acquaintances on the run begin to affect him, and the reader gets to experience the ways in which these people begin to transform his character.  Through the writing of his memoir, the interactions he has with these new people, and his experiences on the run, the end of this book sees a different Hiram McDowell than the one we are introduced to originally.

I personally enjoyed the character development in the second half of the book the most but also felt that it fell a little short.  We see the ways in which these characters affect him, but don’t witness a meaningful change in Dr. McDowell until the very end of the book.  It seems as though his character is drastically changed all at once.

Personally, I found the beginning of the book hard to enjoy.  It felt a little slow, and there was little relief from the brash and self-centered McDowell.  I also found that some earlier sections of the book seemed to be less intensely edited than later and more climactic parts.  While the beginning seemed off-putting to me, several chapters in I finally felt hooked.

It was interesting to see Hiram McDowell’s choices and their subsequent consequences.  The book was an interesting exploration of the effects that every one of McDowell’s choices had on his life.  We also saw Dr. McDowell have an all-too-common reaction: the refusal to acknowledge one’s own part in the fate that comes to him.  McDowell cannot seem to see himself as anything other than the victim; he latches on to the belief that he has nothing to do with what happens to him throughout the story.  

This was a compelling and multi-faceted novel where we not only followed the main character but were able to see these events unfold from different points of view.  This enables the reader to truly make their own judgments and see the ways in which different characters are affected.  There are many life lessons to garner from this work, and is certainly a read I would recommend.

[Raquel · Rating 3 out of 5]

McDowell by William H. Coles was interesting in that it discussed taboo subjects. By that, I mean, subjects that normally society shies away from. Such as euthanasia; it’s a huge part of this book and it was interesting to see various points of view on it. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes also touches on that subject. In Me Before You the main character decides to do it himself. It ultimately affects a lot of people in the main character’s life. Much like it affects the family and ultimately friends of McDowell’s decision. The main character in McDowell, Hiram McDowell, was a surgeon that made mistakes and was convicted of a crime, ultimately escaping and learning from his mistakes.

McDowell had wealth, a family, and a reputation of an excellent doctor but a terrible human being. The first part of the book deals in the excellent doctor portion of his life. It showcases a man that, while being charitable, will stop at almost nothing to get to where he wants to go. He has three children, with two different women, and the children truly only contact him if they need something. One child, Ann, is married, with two children of her own and the children are problematic. Her husband wasn’t paying much attention to the family and was later incarcerated himself. The son, Billie, had an illegitimate son that Hiram refused to let him acknowledge. And Hiram’s oldest child, Sophie, was a disappointment to him. It wasn't emotional at all either. The book was very blase about it.

Hiram shows remorse and change in the second part of the book yet it was not until he finally let go of the idea that everything bad happening to him was because of other people, not the choices he made. I didn’t particularly like the book. The language was passive and boring. It made for a monotone read. McDowell wasn’t an extraordinary book. It brought to light several compelling arguments for euthanasia as well as other controversial topics. I also didn’t like the way women were portrayed in this book. It showed them as flimsy and somewhat unimportant. As a sidepiece and not as part of something larger; the women in McDowell’s life were all either out to get him or were not intelligent enough to hold a conversation with. In the center of the book, it was about changing one’s ideals and ideas.

It was interesting in that Hiram changed at all. Even though, towards the end, nobody was quite sure how to take the act that changed everything for him. Even that act was selfish, though. Hiram did what he did to make his life easier. I don’t think Hiram really took into account what the consequences were going to be. He definitely didn’t account for his daughter to completely lose herself. It also seemed that almost every female in this book was a lesbian at least once in the book. Representation matters but I think there is something of a limit here. McDowell had relations with a woman named Maria and later on in the book, she shows up with her girlfriend. His daughter Sophie had a girlfriend in the beginning of the book but changes her mind later on in the book. Paige, a reporter dedicated to McDowell’s story, was also thinking about it. I’m not entirely certain why Coles did this but I didn’t appreciate it. I can’t truly comment much on it though since I’m not a lesbian but I don’t think it enhanced the story at all.

In the end, I suffered through the book, not liking it. It was written well but it wasn’t captivating. I liked the topics it discussed but almost nothing else.

[Lisbeth Ivies · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who determines the worth of a person? Is it ourselves, our peers, or the law? The titular character that William H. Coles has created in McDowell dramatically changes as the novel progresses. Not only does Hiram McDowell’s self-perception shift, so does the opinion of his family, his colleagues, and society at large.

A world-renowned surgeon, Hiram has a world-sized ego to match at the beginning of the novel. He is a misogynistic, neglectful father and the most apathetic doctor I have ever heard of. The opening scene has Hiram not only leave two members of his climbing expedition behind to die on Mount Everest, he rifles through one of their jackets to steal supplies while the man is pleading for help.

I do appreciate the fact that the author was able to write a character as capable of evoking strong emotions as Hiram. The author is also able to thread multiple character perspectives into a mostly cohesive narrative across multiple locations. However, the only character that has any growth is Hiram, and even that is handled in a way which made me feel robbed as a reader.

At the literal middle of the novel, a personal choice takes all of the accolades, climbing trips, and money that Hiram holds dear away from him. Hiram goes to trial, goes to jail, gets beaten up there, and escapes all on a single page of text that spans two years. We don’t get a true transformation so much as a chute. One Hiram goes in, and an entirely new Hiram tumbles out. Except the new one is still self-centered and still treats women like things. The topic of Hiram's redemption is also questionable because he doesn’t use his new perspective as a fugitive to try to be a better man or father. He uses it to write a memoir explaining exactly why he doesn’t deserve his current situation because he is right, and everyone else is wrong.

The treatment of women is a sore point of this novel for me. I understand there is blatant misogyny present at the start because it is intended to offset the new-and-improved Hiram at the end. Yet there are more subtle instances that never go away. The author uses the format “woman [blank]” instead of “female [blank]” every time he describes a woman holding a profession (and it's arguable if the distinction is needed in the first place). If a woman is single, she is automatically depressed and desperate for sexual attention. What attracts both Hiram and his son, Billie, is also telling. Women seem to only have value to them if they exhibit demure, subservient behavior and are pretty. Hiram’s thoughts about his own biological daughters in comparison to his son are often sexist. There is also an instance of Billie physically forcing one of his sisters to comply with his choice over her own.

Although decently edited, I do not think it was professionally done. I found more than a handful of errors consisting of missing commas, missing words, misspellings, and sentence fragments. Because of these errors and the reasons above, I decided to rate McDowell by William H. Coles at 2 out of 5 stars. I recommend this book to readers who enjoy character studies, particularly ones that delve into the medical profession.

I do not recommend this book to young readers. In addition to language and descriptions of sex, there are a few other elements that can put off some readers. One of Hiram’s biological children enters into a sexual relationship with a step-sibling. A school shooting, attempted suicide, and euthanasia are also graphically described as is the aftermath of such violence.

[Stephanie H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel is gripping and provocative with a multilayered, intricately-woven plot. The characters have been developed very well and for the most part are not what I expected them to be when they were first introduced. Most importantly, the book evoked many conflicting emotions in me and left me wondering what is truly right and wrong, as well as what we should do when a person or an action falls squarely into the moral gray area.

Hiram McDowell is a nationally-acclaimed surgeon with philanthropic efforts in the third-world country of Nepal. To the world at large, he is a kind and caring person who has saved many lives and is likely to save many more. To those who know him best, however, he is an arrogant, self-centered, deceitful man who will do anything or step on anyone to achieve the life he wants. After years of shamelessly climbing the ladder of healthcare politics, the ultimate accomplishment is finally in McDowell’s sight: a seat on the President’s cabinet. Yet when a family disaster strikes, everything rapidly goes downhill for the “good” doctor. Financial ruin, a fractured family, and felonies are just a few of the misfortunes to fall upon McDowell as his misdeeds finally catch up to him. What will become of this once-loved surgeon and the people around him?

Given the main character’s personality, I am surprised by how much I loved the novel McDowell. I normally avoid books where the main or title character are so arrogant and self-centered, not caring what happens to others so long as they get their way, but Coles’s storytelling and development of all the characters captured me at the beginning and kept a hold of me until the very end. Admittedly, even my feelings for McDowell became complicated by the time I was finished reading the book despite the fact that I found him absolutely abhorrent in the beginning.

People who do not like a long read will want to skip this book. At 472 pages, it’s a marathon of a novel. However, Coles’s writing style and the engaging nature of the story make the pages go by more quickly than one would expect. It’s a time commitment, but the book never drags or goes off on tangents. Everything is essential for either the plot or character development, and the writing remains clean and crisp throughout.

This book is also not for people who wish to avoid hot-button issues. Everything from healthcare to gun violence is covered, and a very diverse cast of characters is involved in the story. There is essentially something to offend almost everybody incorporated in this novel, but the presentation is done in a way which shows multiple perspectives and is not trying to necessarily persuade the reader either way. No matter what your political leanings, you will find yourself questioning what’s right and what’s wrong after reading McDowell.

All in all, this book is complex and engaging. I could not find any real fault in it. The fact that Coles was able to complicate my feelings about a kind of character that I would usually flat out hate shows how well this novel has been written. It certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea—especially those who prefer action-packed novels—but those who love a good literary read with a balanced mix of character development and plot will definitely want to check it out.

[Jan Anderegg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hiram McDowell is easy to dislike from the very beginning of this story. His arrogance and callous disregard for anyone but himself overwhelm entirely any sense of admiration for the esteemed career position he holds. In fact, this main character was so distasteful in every aspect of his personality, I was almost reluctant to continue reading more about him. In this, William H. Coles did a brilliant job.
Despite my intense distaste for the main character, the story became intriguing as the plot developed, and we were introduced to the other characters; people who were involved in Hiram's life; his family, his work colleagues, his enemies. The first glimpse we receive into the possibility of Hiram having a soul is when his genuine interest in his daughter, Sophie comes to light.
Hiram's life appears to be on a fast-track to success beyond the success he has already garnered. Then, as life will do, things happen, and Hiram's very world begins to collapse around him.

Through an incredible yet entirely believable set of circumstances, a chain reaction of events occurs. Hiram is stripped of everything he once considered himself entitled to, and left with a literal shell of what he once had. Karma appears to have dealt him the justice he surely deserves.

But a man like Hiram doesn't simply accept his fate. He fights back, and this is where the story becomes incredible, as we watch this arrogant man restructure his life. The plot twists and turns and suddenly, the reader is walking side-by-side with this character as he moves in and out of people's lives, on a long road to redemption, learning life's most essential lessons in a most unexpected and mind-blowing way. I felt a connection to many of the other characters that became quite satisfying, as they helped Hiram wake up little-by-little and learn that there is more to life than wealth, power and fame.

The plot twists and turns and keeps the reader turning the pages. It is at once incredible and yet also believable as Hiram flees from one circumstance to the next.

The supporting characters moving into and out of the storyline, are superb in their development, and I found myself missing them when Hiram moved on. The plot develops many twists and turns that keep the reader guessing and then surprised by the outcome.

I rate this book five out of five stars. It is well edited and exceptionally well written.

The only thing I disliked about this novel was just how well the author fooled me into hating his main character, only to reveal how much we all have to learn in this life, about humanity, and our roles in each other's lives. I say this tongue-in-cheek. I admire a writer who can write with such depth. This book is so well written and so deep, I will have to reread it to truly appreciate the many layers of the story and its characters.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and inspiring read about the fragility of life, and the importance of understanding what matters. I was stunned by the ending, and yet its final message was utterly satisfying at the same time if a little sad. McDowell is an incredibly well-written story of the true meaning and purpose of life. I take my hat off to the author. I went from intensely disliking Hiram for very valid reasons, to cheering him on in the end. That's great writing, and this is a great book.

[Susan Swanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

REVIEW OF MCDOWELL BY WILLIAM H. COLES

Reviewer -- Susan Swanson

McDowell by William H. Coles is the story of surgeon Hiram McDowell, who at the beginning of the book is at the pinnacle of an illustrious career. He is also ambitious, and ruthless in getting what he wants. We meet him in Nepal where, as an insatiable mountain climber, he has reached the summit of the highest peak in the world. And how has he managed to reach this incredible (both literally and figuratively) height? He has gained both the fine reputation and the attending financial success through his elevated position at a charity hospital in the country, a position that includes hosting extravagant gatherings under the pretense of raising funds for the hospital. Hiram represents the world of those who deem fame and recognition as central to a good life.

When truth of malfeasance on his part surfaces, however, his life quickly takes a turn. And then when his unstable grandson commits mass murder and afterward gravely injures himself while attempting suicide and Hiram apparently kills him (possibly a mercy killing) the turn in fortune is devastating. It turns out that the killing is a theme that recurs in the book. Was it an immoral act? Was it an act of compassion? Might it have been generated by hatred? An ethical dilemma, to say the least.

Whatever, Hiram is convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to twenty-five years in prison.

After a year and seven months, he escapes and begins his clandestine and lonely tour of the United States. He also begins a written memoir of his life. And he meets and spends time with a librarian who gently enlightens him on his shortcomings. After departing from her and her family he finds that misses them, showing signs of humanity that were earlier missing in his makeup. And so it goes: state by state, living inconspicuously, Hiram is evolving into a different individual from the fellow we met in the first chapter. He gradually becomes quite likeable.

In some ways McDowell - especially in regard to the judiciary committee hearings - reads like the author has had actual experience in similar circumstances. This makes for interesting reading. And the author certainly covers a plethora of other subjects that are currently front page, such as lesbianism, infidelity, and sexism. Unfortunately, the writing is based on telling and not showing. And in a novel it’s important to leave room for the reader to observe and interpret what’s happening. When the author does this, the writing is much more effective.

In addition, the book needs editing. There are typos galore; the inner dialogue is awkward; and the story jumps around and is hard to follow, finally getting more interesting about a third through.

McDowell might draw readers interested in some info about mountain climbing, Nepal, and dysfunctional families. And even those searching for meaningful lives. However, being there was much need for improvement in the execution of the book, I give it 3 out of 5 stars.

[Mariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

McDowell by William H. Coles is a family story. It tells the story of the McDowell family, from its patriarch Hiram McDowell to his children, Ann, Sophie, and Billie, and few other characters influenced by the family, a hard-boiled journalist Paige Sterling and Michael O’Leary as they navigate through life’s ups and downs.

Hiram is extremely unlikable from the first page. He’s shown abandoning his climbing partner a few feet from the summit as well as being unsympathetic and downright cold to his wife. Despite this, however, Coles decided to show us how complex his character is by demonstrating how involved he is with his children, providing his son with means to pursue his passions and support his daughters through heartbreak and grief. That said, the man is misogynistic and absolutely ruthless, not above lying and scheming to get what he wants, regardless of the people he steps on. It was truly hard to root for him. If not for the other characters, I would’ve DNFed this book by chapter five. Luckily for me, this was the point of the book, his development from the self-centered and arrogant man to someone who sees learns to accept who he really is, mistakes and all.

The illustrations were really stunning, especially at the beginning. It was eerie and was a great way to set the mood and my expectation. But that said, this book was a real pain to read. It was a bit slow and meandering that I found myself picking it up and putting it down after every chapter. It was hard to get attached to any of the characters. I ended up having a sort of detached apathy towards their fates. It was entertaining in some parts, mainly the political intrigue and family and relationship drama, but overall, not something I’d reread on my own.

Unlike other works of literature, the plot doesn’t follow a straight trajectory. It was divided into two parts. The first part was a slow and tortuous character study that centered on our main McDowell, Hiram, through the eyes and perspectives of several people in his life, from his children and in-laws to colleagues and invested onlookers. The second part got better, as it focused on the exploration of the psychology of a man and his fall from grace. The only way I could describe this would be reality TV in book form meets Philosophy 101.

All in all, I rate this book two out of five stars because though I enjoyed the story, and I appreciate the slow build up to his ultimate self-realization, but the ending was also a bit abrupt. Either way, McDowell is a tale for adults who enjoy character-focused plots with a dash of trashy reality television drama and a little Mitch Albom. As is common in adult fiction, it contains profanity and a bit of sexual content.

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

After reading McDowell by William H. Coles, I must rate this book a 1 on a scale of 1 to 5.
This book follows the main character, Hiram McDowell, and various supporting characters over a period of multiple years. What starts as a dry explanation of the sexist and egotistical surgeon’s life quickly takes a plot twist and turns into a search for a jack-of-all-trades fugitive. Something I can say for this book is that until the very last chapters, I never understood what type of story the author was moving toward. My first issue with this book was the frequently changing format and writing style. Many parts of the book read like a screenplay with very generic and vague descriptions of what people are doing and where they are. This is complete with chapter headings and introductions that set the scenes. The ultimate feeling this left for the reader though was confusion. Many of the conversations seemed to hint that the characters knew information that wasn’t divulged to the reader, despite the book being written in third person. Into the book, there are also a few horrible chapters of the author attempting to imitate the accent of a New Orleans native. Reading through the stereotyping of this speech pattern was painful. My second issue with this book was the inconsistency in the story. The largest of these inconsistencies is the presentation of Hiram McDowell. McDowell is explained in the beginning half of the book to be a very materialistic, rich, egotistical, sexist, and uncaring surgeon. Despite the chapters pushing this narrative to the reader, McDowell is shown to have a surprisingly long list of skills that he wouldn’t have gained through his life experience. Bush crafting, plumbing, black market, and auto repair are a few that appear. Despite his apparent proficiencies, McDowell’s surgical training makes an appearance for only a short two paragraphs. Another common theme in the reading is the inconsistency in personal relationships between characters. It is common to read a section describing the dislike of one character from another, and to have that character tout them as a saint in the next.
With the consideration of the writing style and unreliable storyline, it should also be mentioned that the book contains quite a long list of errors in grammar and spelling. The ultimate description of this book would be that it has potential with an interesting plot line, but the author tried to incorporate to many ideas and it was not publish ready.

[Andrea]

Every story has a lesson to teach, whether fictional or non-fictional. The life of McDowell is one with lots of regrets. The book McDowell is all about a man who used people to survive.

McDowell leaves his partner, Woolf, on the mountain to die to survive. Hiram McDowell is a known surgeon with a third wife and five children. Hiram uses his friend Michael to get the position of president of the International College of Surgeons. Hiram abandons Michael and seeks to extort money from the office. On the other hand, his son Billie gets into a relationship with his step-sister, Tasha. Hiram’s first daughter, Ann, who is married, battles with a scattered home and son, who gets into trouble with his classmates, along with a secret she keeps hidden. Sophie, a photographer, tries to bring the family together despite their distance. Things were okay and hidden until Hiram landed in jail after a family member died. What went wrong?

To answer the question above, you definitely have to get a copy of McDowell by William H. Coles, a 264-page book. The author divided the book into two parts, showing the time before McDowell went to jail and his life after he went to prison. The book was sectioned into chapters, with the location involved in each chapter.

This book is an interesting fictional story of a man whose wickedness led him to prison. I was fascinated to read that he was married three times. I had to sit back and find out what the author wrote in the book. I was surprised when I found out the story was in two parts. The book was exceptionally well-edited, as I encountered no errors while reading.

However, there was no need to divide the book into two parts. It was clearly about the same characters, so I was trying to know why there was a break. I also found the author’s use of words distasteful. The dialogues between Sophie and Shristi or Billie and Shristi in Kathmandu contained errors. It was as if they were trying to communicate with Shristi, but it became too much. I will rate this book four out of five stars because of the negative reasons I mentioned. I recommend this book to lovers of fictional novels. The book is suitable for all readers, young and old.

[John J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

First understand this. Dr. Hiram McDowell was once a despicable individual. As Charles Dicken’s wrote in the holiday classic, “A Christmas Carol,” this must be understood or no good can come from this story. William H. Coles has written this tale of a shabby protagonist to show how free will and hubris can ruin a person’s life. From the very first page of the novel we see this talented doctor failing to come to the aid of others in need in his quest to reach the top. Over and over, McDowell makes choices in his life that compromise his integrity and lead him to the height of this medical profession. He is an admired and lauded surgeon, but his heart and soul are black as ink and his immorality ultimately inspires colleagues and friends to try and destroy him.

It is his own failings and fate that topples Dr. Hiram McDowell. His fall from grace, after a family tragedy, is epic, spiraling and surprising. Coles has written a tale of how a once wealthy and successful doctor can eventually lose everything, including his freedom. Written in a spare, concise and highly readable style, you will come to hate Hiram McDowell and then root for his personal redemption. But will he be able to save himself after doing such damage to the world around him? Will he come to recognize that his tragic fall from grace to the depths of despair were of his own making? And will his full story ever be truly told?

These are among the essential questions posed by William H. Coles, an acclaimed and award-winning author of short stories, as well as essays on writing, interviews and novels. (Coles also is the creator of the web site, www.storyinliteraryfiction.com, where aspiring writers can learn the craft through exemplary examples.) “McDowell” is a perfect example of great writing; a deeply human story that all readers can relate to and learn from. It’s a cautionary tale that directs us to take stock in our own personal choices and decisions. It’s the ultimate human story, told on a grand stage with simplicity and grace.

[Pamela Gossiaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Extraordinary – and Entertaining – Work of Fiction!

Coles is the winner of nearly 40 awards for his fiction, and I can see why. After reading McDowell and listening to a few of his short stories on his website, I believe he must be one of the most talented and prolific writers of our time.

McDowell grabs your attention immediately, as Hiram McDowell is attempting to scale a snowy mountain peak in Nepal. Near the summit, his fellow-climber falls from exhaustion and pleads for McDowell to help him. The result sets the tone for the rest of the novel.

McDowell, a world-renown surgeon and philanthropist, lives a posh and acclaimed existence. On his third marriage, this one for convenience, he only shows love for his three children. McDowell feels he has earned the right to whatever he wants (and in some ways he has, with all he has done in the medical world) but his hubris will be his fall when a terrible tragedy strikes his family.

Author William H. Coles writes a powerful story of self-discovery, retribution, and grief that covers the gamut of how the press can build or destroy a reputation, how we ourselves must live with the consequences of our actions, and what happens when dollars replace compassion in science.

Coles, an ophthalmic surgeon, brings his own experiences into this riveting tale. And his work will appeal to readers and writers alike. As a writer myself, I can’t say enough about his website, where he shares his wealth of information and resources with writers. You really need to visit it. He is also a lecturer and collector of antique furniture, a jazz musician, a painter, and a professor. He’s nothing short of amazing.

This is literary fiction at its best – but not the kind your teachers made you read. It’s entertaining, gripping, and leaves the reader with the desire to pick up another of Coles’ books. I can’t wait to see what he’s working on next. I highly recommend McDowell.

[Please Pass the Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

McDowell by William H. Coles is an engrossing piece of literary fiction surrounding the rise, fall, and ultimate redemption of Dr. Hiram McDowell. McDowell is both the story's protagonist and, as he truly is his own worst enemy, also the catalyst for his demise. This snowballs from years of narcissism, callous behavior, and a 'win at any cost' attitude. He's blameless in his own eyes. Blameless for failed marriages, for his vengeful colleagues, and for the frailty of his own family—which catastrophically manifests itself in the most violent way. The clank of bars isn't enough for Hiram to see the error of his ways, but when he disappears into the refuge of wilderness, the harsh realities of where he's come and the things he's done are nearly insurmountable...even for an experienced mountaineer.

Was I meant to hate Hiram McDowell before his redemption journey began? I don't know, but hate wasn't something I felt for him. In fact, as a character he's probably one of the most interesting I've come across in a long, long time. At first I thought he was projecting an existential nihilism, but he cares about the good he has in his life far too much for that to be the case. When he loses all of it, not only does he care, but he refuses to take any accountability. The story of McDowell by William H. Coles is a character-driven narrative with a transcendental redemption arc. The people he meets, both good and bad, are perfectly fleshed out by Coles. This is quality literary fiction that, having been written at any other time than now (when millions of books are released per year), would have become required reading. It's that good.

Review written for Readers' Favorite.

[Ivan Hecimovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

McDowell is strange novel. There is not much novels (at least, I am not familiar with them) in which the author writes about a protagonist who we need to dislike. I am not going to say, “Hate’’ because hatred is a bit too strong word. Nevertheless, as I said- I have not read many novels like this one and as such I wanted to go through it, to the end, just to see what is it all about with this “McDowell guy.’’
Well, first of all Mr. McDowell is not some random “guy’’ you can pick on the street. He is renowned surgeon who seems to go rather well in his profession. As the novel goes on, we can read about McDowell’s “climbing on the latter’’ of success. However, as he approaches closer and closer towards success, we are given more and more insights into his, morally rather doubtful choices that he makes. Just when our protagonist thinks that has “reached the top,’’ he realizes that he actually fell into the chasm, the chasm he can get away from by redeeming himself. This is exactly what he does. From here now, the novel and the protagonist resemble Ebenezer Scrooge and his Christmas tale (with the exception that there were no three Christmas ghosts that came to teach him about his mistakes).
McDowell is an interesting and peculiar novel. The most important reason for this is because, it was written in a rather different way than most of us are used to. I like it. I like the message of this novel, because the message can change us and change the world. I believe that the message from this novel has the ability to affect us all in a positive way.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

McDowell is about a surgeon named Hiram McDowell, who is pretty much disliked by everyone. His family is a complete wreck and his relationships remain distant.
He created a foundation hospital in Nepal and became president of the International College of Surgeons. But despite his accomplishments, people still wanted to bring him down. What’s the plot twist? Hiram has a good side! But can anyone see it?

When I first began to read this novel, I really didn’t like Hiram. I didn’t like how he treated women and I found him to be a very complex person. It seemed he only cared about himself. But once I got further into the book, Hiram slowly began to focus less about himself and put other’s feelings into consideration before his. He took interest in what his new friends enjoyed and dreamed about. When it came to his kids, he showed love in an odd way but he did try and eventually got better at it.

One of the things I felt that stood out was how much Hiram really tried to help out his daughter Sophie. He was always there for her when she was going through emotional pain. He wanted so badly for her to be happy and see her succeed at what she enjoyed, photography. Sophie began to see that and became very close to her father than her other siblings; Billie and Ann. Billie didn’t really need his father’s affection because he preferred to be alone and learn things for himself. Ann was too busy with her family and dealing with her own problems.

Another part of the book that I enjoyed was the little tidbit about the characters in each chapter. I think those really captured what was going on and helped me as a reader, to understand the situations between the characters.

Unfortunately for Hiram, the one time he thought he was doing something for the greater good, it ended up sending him on the run. This is where real change began in his life. The new beginning for Hiram was going to teach him what he was too blind to see but it came with consequences.

One thing I did not like about this book was the ending. I felt it could have ended better and in ways, I felt like something was missing.

I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars because even though I felt the ending was rushed, it was still a good read! I didn’t think I was going to like the book but I ended up enjoying it. What made me hooked on this book, even more, was how each character’s perspective in different chapters tied together somehow.

All in all, this book was definitely full of drama and it was so good, I wanted more!

[Winston Russel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has taught me to love life, seek happiness, and give people love, kindness, and generosity. Life is short, and to live in love and happiness is more important than anything you could imagine.

Hiram McDowell is a man of great success! He has lived his life as a successful surgeon with plenty of contributions to the medical school and administration throughout his professional career. He prides himself on his success and fortune but has lost his connection to people. His own family hates him, has gone through his 3rd divorce, and doesn’t care if he hurts people, as long as he is true to himself. Moreover, he deeply cared for his children, but they never acknowledged this. His absence was influential. His absence reflected so much chaos in the character of his children, which then caused a horrible incident that indicted him for murder.

This story is so unique, original, and touching in its purest essence! I have not read anything that has given me so much awakening and a deep understanding of humanity. William H. Coles is a great author, and he did a great job of exposing the darkness in humanity and soon learning how to honor our soul and live life out of whim. It is transformational and will teach us life lessons that will help connect us back to our hearts! A beautiful read!

[Cale · Rating 5 out of 5]

"McDowell” by William H. Coles is truly a great piece of storytelling, and any literary and character drama fan should go and read this (and the other novels by this author). There are several familiar arch types and tropes that border on cliché, but Coles manages to just avoid it with compelling backstory and genuine character development with the believable relationships that develop amongst the characters (especially with McDowell and his family). While Hiram McDowell is clearly the main figure in this novel (hence the title), he only exists due to the strength of the supporting cast. As with his other novels, Coles’ writing is terrific. However, the strongest part of this book for me is how Coles does a great job of fleshing out his characters so as not to be the stock cut-outs or even the caricatures they could so easily be due to their extraordinary situations (esp. McDowell). It gets close at times, but they are flawed enough and real enough to maintain a sense of believability and gets better as the books progress. Great descriptions and character intrigue pulls us into the world, and complex personal drama and scandals keeps us there. Some adult scenes and language but suitable for mature teens and older.

[Rose Mute · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent story about the loathsome Hiram McDowell. He is a selfish, arrogant and callous man. He has little regard for the women in his personal and professional life. In public he is a renowned surgeon, philanthropist and avid mountain climber. Behind closed doors he is unfaithful friend and husband, and an absentee father. His life takes a sharp turn after his grandson failed suicide attempt leaves him comatose and unresponsive. A selfish choice leads to imprisonment. This is not the end of his story, he escapes from prison. His life on the run leads him on a path of self discovery and redemption. I guess anyone can change given the right set of factors.

I truly loved reading this book and have never hated a character more than I did of Hiram. The author gives you the opportunity to see him in a different light. A well paced story with memorable characters. The author continues to out do himself with every new character he brings to life. I enjoy reading the stories and characters he creates. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for more depth in their reading choices and book clubs. This book is a treasure trove of topics that can be discussed, from euthanasia to sexism.