Tuesday, July 14, 2009

The Abortionist: A Review

The short version:  Michael Caughill’s The Abortionist is finally, FINALLY available on Amazon!

For the long version…

Four years ago, some guy named Elliot put Boots and Sabers on his blogroll. It turns out Elliot was a character in a novel written by Michael Caughill.  We met Michael and his wife a few months after that at that very first WisPolitics Blog Summit (remember those?), and we talked about a book he had written.  The first few chapters of the book were linked on the sidebar of his blog. Shortly after that first meeting, I sent Michael the following email:

I read the first several chapters of your book the evening of the blog summit.  It was quite a challenge as I usually do my reading in the bathtub. It was very difficult to keep the monitor out of the water in order to prevent my certain death, but I couldn’t stop reading.  I just wanted you to know that I really look forward to reading the rest of it, hopefully in a lightweight paperback for my own safety, but I’ll take what I can get.

It took exactly two years and six months, but last October I was finally able to get my hands on a stack of papers that would soon become The Abortionist, and now you can have your very own copy of The Abortionist with a cover and binding and everything!

Once I started reading, I could not put the book down.  I loved the characters, especially Elliot and Caroline, because they seemed so realistic.  And it’s not often that we get to read novels set in Milwaukee. The dialogue is smooth and real.

In spite of its title, this is not just an “abortion book.” It’s a story about a serial killer and a crime solver whose life is personally touched by the crimes. Yes, the serial killer uses techniques used by people who perform abortions, and several characters in the book have strong opinions one way or the other.  But both pro-lifers and pro-choicers will enjoy this novel and probably identify with at least one of the characters. That the main character uses a wheelchair adds a unique perspective we don’t often see. Elliott’s disability and his ability to cope with it and do things he did before his accident provide insight into Elliott’s personality and how he identifies himself. 

On a personal level, I know that many of you are regular readers of From Where I Sit, or you follow Michael on Twitter, or you see him at Drinking Right. My guess is that you are like me and you do those things because you like how thoughtful and reasonable and personable Michael is. You may disagree with him on some philosophical or political issues (how can he be a smoking-ban-favoring libertarian?!), but he’s so likable that you would still want to have a beer with the guy.  The Abortionist has a similar feel. There is a chapter in the book, oh, about 2/3 of the way through, that I think particularly exemplifies the contemplative Michael we know.  This is a book that makes you think.

If you like Kathy Reichs and Patricia Cornwell, I think you’ll like The Abortionist.  You can buy it on The Abortionist website, read it, and then get in line behind me to buy its sequel, The Hacker. And you won’t have to risk electrocution like I did. Well, unless you buy it for bathtub use on your Kindle.  Then, well, just be careful.

 

(4) Comments
Posted by Wendy at 1950 hrs
Culture + Our Favorites + Books

  1. Thank you, so much.

    Posted by elliot on July 15, 2009 at 0800 hrs


  2. I read the first chapter very quickly.  Vowed that I couldn’t handle it yet I went back twice the same night to read a little more.  Granted I did read the Abortionist through tightly squinted eyes peering through my fingertips but I couldn’t stay away.

    Posted by Candid Carrie on July 15, 2009 at 1001 hrs


  3. nice way of sharing things with interesting theme and concept.

    Posted by A rated window on July 23, 2009 at 0757 hrs


  4. Really good ideas shared nicely with interesting theme and concept.

    Posted by Dentist Kent on August 06, 2009 at 0643 hrs


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