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What characteristic of Hiram made you think that he's not all bad?

Loving his children in his own way. I was especially touched when he went out of his way to cheer Sophie out of her heartbreak. He tried to be supportive of Billy and asked about Ann's wellbeing.

I dont think Hiram McDowell had any good quality he was a bad person.

The fact that he improved somewhat towards the end of the book is, in itself, his most redeeming quality - at least, in my opinion, of course.

I agree with the last post.

In the second half of the book I believe it showed the love he had for his children. He still wasn't going to get the award for father of the year of course, but at least there was that side. Also, the fact that he seemed to be trying to change and be a better person, to me that made me like him a little just for that.

The second part of the story had instances of self-realization. By the end of the story, it was evident that Hiram will become a lovable character for the audience.

ViziVoir wrote: ↑20 Oct 2018, 13:25 The fact that he improved somewhat towards the end of the book is, in itself, his most redeeming quality - at least, in my opinion, of course.

That's my opinion too. His capacity for self-improvement is what redeems him, ultimately.

I do not think he had any, and even at the end I could not empathise with him at all.

I never thought that Hiram was all that bad. We only see some situations in his life where he acts the most human way possible. So I won't know what his redeeming quality is because he did not seem all that bad to me.

I think his most redeeming quality is that he saved a life at the end of the novel knowing the consequences. He understood the jeapordy that it would put him in and yet he chose to do it anyway.

His relationship with his son, Billy. Hiram was supportive and encouraged Billy to pursue his goals. He was also a good and caring father.

I think he was a good father. He seemed to enjoy fatherhood and tried to change for he better through the course of the book

HIs love for his children and the foundation he had at Nepal.

At the start of the book, he walked away from his friend on the mountaintop and left him to die. In the end, he risked everything to save someone and died because of it. That was his 'full circle'. His ability to change completely, I would agree, is his redeeming quality.