Eddie's Bastard

This is a wonderful story of a family that is far from what most would call normal, or even desirable, yet skillfully avoids the sense of depressing gloom that its subject matter could easily invoke. Billy Mann is raised by an alcoholic grandfather who is often too besotted to provide Billy with his basic physical needs yet who somehow manages to instill in him a rich appreciation of who he is and where he comes from. Kowalski often uses the name 'Mann' as a pun to point out that there is a little of Billy Mann in all of us. Hopefully, his first work is evidence of other great books to come.

It is difficult to believe this is a first novel. That William Kowalski is a gifted novelist is simply a given. He is a fine story teller, able to weave threads of pulsing narrative toward a nourishing conclusion. He creates characters who are not only credible but about whom we care. Too many descriptive phrases might get in the way to the individual response to this rich novel.... Suffice it to say that the title EDDIE'S BASTARD is more than a label. A Bastard is one without parents and therefore without knowledge of history - genetic, philosophical, time sequence. This beautifully crafted book reveals the detective work involved in the main character's quest for self discovery. His journey is at once interesting, touching, warm, and curative. As he reads excerpts from his great grandfather's diary - sophisticated, elegant prose set off in italics which if separated from the novel would still provide a cogent guide to knowing ourselves through understanding our history - Eddie gains insight into his place in the world, his questions about his responses to that world, and eventually an understanding about where he fits in in a world that has seemed alien. Read this novel - for entertainment, for fresh words, for disarmingly beautiful story, and for restoration in the faith that we are a meaningful part of what was and, therefore, what will be.

This novel tells the tale of Billy Mann, the youngest in a long line of small town heroes. He lives with his grandfather in an idyllic state of benign neglect, learning about life through observation, imagination, and the wise words left behind by his diary-keeping, soldiering male ancestors. Not surprisingly, in the midst of all this maleness, Billy's thoughts turn to contemplation of his mysterious mother and his young neighbor, Annie. This is a coming-of-age story layered with humor, history, and heartbreak. The writing is impeccable. Kowalski's craftsmanship is an absolute joy to read.

Because of lack of time on my part, this review won't do this novel justice. In short, if you love an intellectual hartwarming novel, buy this book! You won't regret it!

"Eddie's Bastard" is honest and full of love. I think someone likened it to John Irving, which is fine, but I was more reminded of Robertson Davies, particularly of "Fifth Business" and Dunstan Ramsay. Kowalski's sense of Billy, and of course the rest of the characters, is pinpoint. I hope this turns into a trilogy at the least.Billy's romantic sensibilities, heroism, and ideals, are so much like mine I could cry, not least of all because his accomplishments are boyhood dreams of mine, and his coming of age is right on track. Enzo Fujimora rules!