Book Reviews

"An Imaginitive Story That Tugs at the Heart"

Marvin Wilson has created three very memorable characters: Owen Fiddler, Kris and Louis Seiffer. Owen is a composite of all of us. He contains those traits and attributes that we often abhor in others, yet fail to see within ourselves. His lament has, at one time or another, been our refrain also: “Mr. Fiddler feels cheated; cheated by society, cheated by his genetics, cheated by the government, cheated by his very life, and cheated by God if there is such a thing. If there is a God, he’s doing a piss-poor job as far as he’s concerned. All Owen has ever wanted is to feel happy and have a good time, as if that’s asking too much. But, noooooooo, no way, chump, your life has to turn out like this, he often thinks to himself.”

As individuals and as a society we have turned responsibility for our lives over to what we perceive to be a higher authority. If we lack financial resources we condemn “the system” for its failure to care for us. If we lack the physical traits deemed beautiful by the tabloids and visual media, we blame our parents. If our children lack values and basic ethics, we blame the schools. If our life is generally miserable, we blame deity or forsake the concept all together. This is Owen Fiddler, this is us. We go through life taking responsibility for nothing and blaming others for everything. Oblivious that our actions have certain consequences, for every action there will be a reaction, we approach life as if we stand alone without regard for our affect upon others. The ignorance of our separatist notions about life enables each of us to live in what we feel is our personal vacuum, where our thoughts and deeds touch only ourselves. Owen Fiddler shared this belief and shattered the lives of everyone who loved him and everyone, in his own way, he loved.

Using words as his brushes and the imagination as his canvas, Marvin paints an afterlife landscape that rings true in the heart. It is said that at the moment of our birth, there is a unique vibration or tone that vibrates throughout the universe. This is called our birth note and it is part of the never ending music of the spheres. When we hear that tone or note, a chill runs up our spine. The vision of the after life created by Marvin will send a chill up our spine because it rings true to the inner nature of our being. It reminds us of the Word which was not only never lost, but surrounds and penetrates the very fiber of our being. It is in this setting we meet Kris, a savior with a sense of humor. It is said that laughter can cure what ails you and Kris’ version of heaven is one filled with laughter and purpose.

There are other characters in this book but we will all recognize Louis Seiffer. His nature is the figment of religious imagination and his mythical ploys are the tools of dogma aimed at scaring the flock into abeyance. Louis is the boogeyman that is used to frighten the sheep into blindly following the dictums of organized religion. While this book contains elements found in religion, it is far from religious. Highly spiritual, inspiring, enlightening and engaging, yes; religious, no. A case study in despair and addiction, yes: depressing, no. An imaginative story that tugs at the heart, yes; a book that preaches outdated litanies, no.

Owen Fiddler, like many, is caught between worlds. On the one hand, the “small voice” within has been stifled by Owen’s refusal to take charge of his life and responsibility for his reality. And yet, the voice, the Word, continues to call. On the other hand, Owen has been pulled by the trials and tribulations of life into a world of illusion and despair. What Owen discovers is that, like most of us, these trials and tribulations are of our own making.

Philip F. Harris – Co-author of “Waking God,” and sole author of “A Maine Christmas Carol,” “Jesus Taught it Too (The Early Roots of the Law of Attraction),” and “Raping Louisiana.”

“He’s the grasshopper in Aesop’s tale about the grasshopper and the ant.”
	Owen Fiddler is the summation of every loser there is. For him, Murphy’s Law is good news. At least he’d have someone to blame. Life treated Owen bad from day one. Even good fortune frowned on him.

His first unlucky break was the bicycle that was ‘waiting’ for him. Owen should have seen this as an omen of his future. He didn’t. To accept this incident as a portent of his future meant accepting blame, but Owen Fiddler never accepted blame.

Marvin Wilson has again done an excellent job. His book, Owen Fiddler, grabs your attention right away. It does not take long before the reader feels pity for the main character. However, it isn’t likely anyone will feel sorry for him because he does cause his own problems. In his opinion, the world owes him. Owen Fiddler is the grasshopper in Aesop’s tale about the grasshopper and the ant.

Owen does change. He learns how to put on a good front. He holds this pose long enough to get married; even in that he fails, but not before becoming a father. The good news is that she does not go in her fathers footsteps.

Owen continues through life, making one bad choice after another. In the end, is redemption truly possible? Can one really offer forgiveness to someone like Owen Fiddler? Pick up your copy of Owen Fiddler today and discover Marvin Wilson’s surprising answer.

Review by: Joyce A. Anthony, psychologist and published author of “STORM.”

“A spiritual perspective on life that will cause you to think about your own actions and behavior.”
	Owen Fiddler is an interesting portrayal of how one’s actions can impact others’ lives in a myriad of unpleasant ways. Like throwing a pebble into a pond and having the small ripples freakishly engorge enough to topple a boat, each of Owen Fiddler’s actions and decisions ripple out to wreak havoc on his life and on the lives of those around him.

Everyone can relate to a bad day. There are just days when you wake up and nothing goes as it should. Owen Fiddler experiences that every day. The opening paragraph of Owen Fiddler sets the tone of the novel perfectly. Every reader will instantly relate to the scene on some level.

The story is an entertaining read. Anyone can appreciate the language and storytelling on the page, but Owen Fiddler is deeper for those who want to look. The story will resonate whether you are spiritual, religious, atheist, or totally unwilling to comprehend there is more to living than what is experienced here on earth. It’s a slice of life that rings true.

Marvin Wilson has created a colorful, unique, multi-layered cast of characters in Owen Fiddler. The story is fun to read. The tone is conversational. Wilson has allowed Owen to tell his own story, but other characters chime in so the reader can clearly see how Owen’s actions and decisions affect them. The point of view shifts are handled well, and the story moves quickly from start to finish. Wilson has written Owen as unlikeable, yet somehow endearing. Like Owen, the reader is not privy to his purpose in this world until it is time for us to be privy to it, and we are all along for the ride.

I heartily recommend reading Owen Fiddler for a spiritual perspective on life that will cause you to think about your own actions and behavior. Whether or not you believe in God, a higher being, heaven, law of attraction, or any type of life after death, you will walk away from this novel having at least been inspired to glimpse the possibility that there is more to life than a simple daily existence.

Review by: Lisa Haselton - award winning writer/editor

"All of us share at least some of his demons."

The saga of Owen Fiddler is a story of personal redemption. Marvin Wilson weaves a narrative of a life that seems hopeless to most, but demonstrates that even when "most" are working against you there is still the potential for salvation. The path unchosen is not lost to us in perpetuity. Owen Fiddler demonstrates through his own experiences that there are multiple routes to the same location. What he needs, and what most need, is a course correction provided by just one person whose vision is stronger and who has found the course.

The story rings true. Most of us don't come close to bottoming out at the depths reached by Owen Fiddler, but all of us share at least some of his demons. His story can change our story.

Review by: Walter Sorg - WILS-Michigan Talk-Radio Host