ARA Review by EfrenObrien1 of McDowell

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EfrenObrien1
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ARA Review by EfrenObrien1 of McDowell

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[Following is an OnlineBookClub.org ARA Review of the book, McDowell.]
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5 out of 5 stars
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I recently completed reading McDowell, A Novel by William H. Coles. Once again, I find writing a review on a novel…now this novel, very difficult. The book is multi-layered having many different themes – whether the author intended on creating them or not. The book raises more questions at its conclusion than it provides answers for. The story’s plot is fast moving and at times outrageous and preposterous, with its narrative. But despite a near implausible storyline - in my opinion the book is a must read for the critical reader of fiction.


The basic plot of this story is as follows: Hiram McDowell, a world-renowned surgeon from Denver Colorado seems to have everything he wants at the beginning of the story in 1999. He has significant wealth, fame and notoriety as he flies around the world in the capacity of a surgeon and in running his hospital (which he essentially constructs himself) in a poor populated area of Nepal. He is a physician of distinction, as a Regent and member of the International College of Surgeons. Yet, his ego is not satisfied and he desires to be President of the “College.” At the beginning of the story, Hiram is on his third marriage, and provides support for five children, three of his own and two step-children. In the beginning of the novel Hiram is depicted (stating it mildly) as self-centered and self-absorbed, selfish, uncaring, and ruthless in pursuit of his own ambitions. As a precursor to other events in the story…the author begins with a flashback to a mountain climbing trip in Nepal, where Hiram resolves a moral dilemma of life and death in typical “McDowell fashion.” Faced with running out of oxygen in a container himself at high elevation in the Himalayas during a climb - McDowell abandons a fellow climber who would slow him down and consume the oxygen (it is inferred the climber dies on the face of the mountain because he is too weak to continue…) in order to save himself. With that flashback as an introduction, Part I of this book paints the picture of a totally selfish, self-centered and self-absorbed man, leaving no doubt as to the character of Hiram McDowell.


McDowell uses everybody for his own ends… (with the exception of his three natural born children). At the beginning this is evident with regards to Dr. Michael O’Leary…a surgeon and Regent himself in the “College of Surgeons,” whom McDowell makes a promise of naming “Executive Director,” in exchange for O’Leary’s support and swaying key votes towards McDowell during election for Presidency of the “College.” McDowell wins with O’Leary’s help; gets what he wants, the title of President of the “College.” Then with O’Leary present in the audience during McDowell’s induction ceremony – McDowell coldly announces that Dr. Tom Gardner, not Dr. O’Leary will be the new Executive Director. McDowell openly and routinely commits adultery and cheats on his third wife Carole…even having an affair with a young singer he meets on the evening of Carole’s Birthday. McDowell appears totally oblivious to the emotional pain he causes others. McDowell divorces his third wife Carole and gets nominated to be the next Health and Human Services Secretary by the President of the United States. Just as it seems Hiram McDowell will obtain the pinnacle of fame and success, disaster strikes…as his eleven year old grandson Jeremy goes on a shooting rampage at his school killing twelve people; including his sister Penny and also shoots Ann (his mother-Hiram’s daughter) nearly killing her. Then, Jeremy attempts suicide with his father’s (Robert’s) shotgun. Amazingly, Jeremy survives his own suicide attempt but is severely deformed and presumed brain dead. His mother Ann (Hiram’s daughter) is badly wounded and so distraught that she has an emotional breakdown, and blames herself for Jeremy’s murder spree. During this time her husband Robert abandons Ann emotionally and spends most of his time away from their home. At this point McDowell’s personal world is crumbling quickly. Hiram visits the acute care center where Jeremy is being treated and makes a decision that will change everything. Ordering his daughter Sophie to wait outside Jeremy’s hospital room, Hiram physically diverts the room camera and disconnects Jeremy’s respirator causing Jeremy’s (his own grandson’s) quick suffocation and death.

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As if the book is not outrageous enough at the end of “Part I,” there is a “Part II” to the story. The story progresses with Hiram McDowell being convicted of 2nd Degree Murder in the death of his grandson, despite McDowell’s use of a “euthanasia defense,” after hospital personnel review a second video in the hospital room which shows McDowell interfering with Jeremy’s life support breathing apparatus. At this point, with nearly half of the book remaining; the story shifts from Hiram’s efforts at fame and fortune to his efforts at staying alive. McDowell goes to prison for the murder of his grandson. While in prison after being sentenced to twenty-five years, Hiram is attacked by another inmate and nearly killed. He decides he cannot survive prison and must escape…and mysteriously he does escape (although no explanation is provided how or by what means he escapes…) soon afterwards. Then Hiram begins a skillful and clever existence of “evasion” from the police and the media (the media appears both fascinated with Hiram and eager to see him captured). He moves on foot primarily around the United States from region to region avoiding capture. During this time, Hiram has limited contact with anyone (including his own family, with the exception of his daughter Sophie), but is able to avoid being apprehended as a fugitive due to his outdoor skills (from hiking and climbing); his ability to change his looks and appearance, and his ability to blend in with various homeless populations in cities such as Seattle and New Orleans. Hiram also plays the harmonica with ragtime bands and other “homeless” musicians as a way of fitting in and earning money. During this time Hiram McDowell directly experiences another side of life he has never known. He survives among societies poorest, and begins to develop empathy for others. Maybe the first time in his life – certainly the first time in the story; he begins to cherish human contact, gives what little money he has to those less fortunate, and displays emotions of friendship and camaraderie he has never shown before. All the while, evading and avoiding the police, a private investigator trying to locate him, and Paige Sterling (a news reporter) searching for him. He travels all over the country for years avoiding capture. Finally, in Nevada, after squatting at a rundown trailer park where he believes he is safe – fate deals Hiram an unfair blow again. One of the female residents nearly dies in an auto accident and Hiram (using his skills and knowledge as physician and surgeon) performs an act of heroism performing a tracheotomy and saving the woman’s life. But he is identified to the police by the same woman after she regains consciousness after surgery. At the end of the story, the reader has been slowly brought down a path of understanding and sympathy for a man who earlier one could only feel disdain for. At the end, with regards to Hiram McDowell the reader sees a changed man - whom I actually hoped would survive and reunite with his family again.


As stated above, I find it very difficult to give a numerical value or rating to this book. That said, upon consideration I rate the book five out of five stars. The story is preposterous and hard to believe in so many ways – yet it appears the author William H. Coles wants to challenge the reader with resolving moral issues at a deeper level. Therefore, the outrageous storyline and plot become almost irrelevant in evaluating this book. The story jumps from scene to scene, skipping over important dates, facts and events the reader is left wondering about. Although the story apparently begins in 1999, it is not clear how many years pass and the reader really only knows the story extends over a number of years into the 2000’s. Still, the story poignantly shows the emotional growth of a middle-aged man who makes many mistakes… but then himself becomes a sympathetic victim of life’s harsh circumstances. In the end the story shows Hiram McDowell’s extreme efforts at self-awareness, his need to establish emotional human connections, and an acquired compassion for others. And in my opinion despite its oddities, this is a book that is well worth reading.

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