The Book Wheel

Books, Politics, & More

  • Genres
    • Sortable Archive
      • Reviews by Author
      • Reviews by Genre
      • Reviews by Title
    • #30Authors
      • #30Authors Reviews
      • Lineup
    • Fiction
      • Historical Fiction
      • Mystery/Thriller
    • Non-Fiction
      • Biography
      • Economic
      • Memoir
      • Science/Tech/Psychology
      • True Crime
    • Political
    • More Options
      • 1001 List
      • Classics
      • Diverse
  • Book Club Picks
  • Lists
  • Other
    • Blogging
    • Career
    • Discussions
    • Lifestyle
    • Productivity
  • About
    • Accolades
    • Advertising
    • Policies
    • Resources
      • Authors
      • Contributors
    • What is a ‘Book Wheel’?

‘The Prodigal” Demonstrates the Power of Redemption

April 9, 2014 by Allison Hiltz 8 Comments

‘The Prodigal” Demonstrates the Power of RedemptionThe Prodigal by Michael Hurley
Also by this author: The Vineyard
Published by Ragbagger Press on June 1, 2013
Genres/Lists: #30Authors, Fiction
Pages: 358
Read synopsis on Goodreads
I received this book for free from Edelweiss.
Buy the book: Amazon/Audible (this post includes affiliate links)five-stars


What do an alcoholic priest, a towboat operator, a disgraced lawyer, and a mysterious woman have in common? In The Prodigal by Michael Hurley, the answer is Ocracoke Island. Telling the story of four people trying to come to terms with their inner demons, The Prodigal offers a stunning portrait of human vulnerabilities.

This book is two really two stories in one, though they blend together seamlessly and come full-circle in the end. The first is about redemption and overcoming past mistakes, for each of the main characters is battling their own demons and mistakes. The second is of a more mythical nature, which centers around Sarah and an ancient ship that the characters stumble upon. It is their quest to find the origins of the boat that sends them down a path of danger, which draws the attention of both a powerful businessman and the Vatican.

“Penitence is a temporary thing. We’re all thieves by nature and saints only by grace.”

What I liked about this book is that it plot-driven and has fantastic character development. By the end of the book, I was emotionally invested in each of them and was racing through the pages to find out where the boat came from and why these particular people had to find it. It also has a perfect villain, which I find increasingly difficult to come by. What I really love about The Prodigal, however, is the way the author touches on the delicate aspects of human emotion. The feelings of gut-wrenching regret and the sadness of loneliness are emotions that nearly everyone can relate to, and Hurley’s writing style allows the reader to truly empathize with the characters. By the end of the book, I had physically experienced a range of human emotions, which is no easy feat.

If you’re looking for a book that is equally driven by character and plot, or want to be consumed by a story, then I recommend The Prodigal.

Do you believe in the power of redemption?

Related Posts

  • Same Genre
  • 5 Star Books
  • Ragbagger Press
The Wonder of All Things
The Wonder of All Things Is, Well, Wonderful
the inseparables by stuart nadler
‘The Inseparables’: A Fresh Take on Dysfunctional Family Dramas
the fishermen
The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma
Writers and Lovers by Lily King
‘Writers and Lovers’ a New Twist on a Familiar Refrain
The Unknowns by Gabriel Roth
Computers Are Cool In ‘The Unknowns’
Starvation Heights by Gregg Olsen
Starvation Heights is Sensational
machine stops
‘The Machine Stops’ Still Relevant Over 100 Years Later
gone girl
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Misses Nothing
Revolutionize How You Think About Food (Book Review)
War and Tourism Collide in ‘The Assassin’s Mark’
TLC Book Tours: The Vineyard by Michael Hurley (Book Review)

Filed Under: #30Authors, Book Reviews, Fiction

Email Newsletter

Sign up to get new reviews in your inbox the day they go live.

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Tumblr
  • Twitter

Upcoming Reviews

Allison's books

Searching for Sylvie Lee
Searching for Sylvie Lee
by Jean Kwok
A Woman Is No Man
A Woman Is No Man
by Etaf Rum
The Leavers
The Leavers
by Lisa Ko

goodreads.com

Trending Now

‘Did You Ever Have a Family’ – An Emotional Story of Grief

‘The House of Tides’ Explores Human Tragedy

Concussion by Jeanne Marie Laskas

SheReads: The Perfume Collector

TLC Book Tours: “The Returned” by Jason Mott

‘Eve in Hollywood’ is Enticing

The Lake House by Kate Morton

Content may not be reposted in full or without permission. This site includes affiliate links.

Copyright © 2021 · Magazine Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in