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Michael Coolwood writes feminist fantasy, science fiction, and cosy mysteries. His characters are witty, caring and often chronically ill. This is partly because Michael respects passionate, loving people, and partly because cuts to the health service in the UK have ensured he can barely leave the house due to his swamp of health problems.
Reviewed by Lex Allen for Readers' Favorite
In Michael Coolwood's Is That An Aura of Wild Magic Engulfing You, Or Are You Just Pleased to See Me?, the lead character, Laceco, suffers emotional pain that manifests itself in strange ways and is highly contagious to others. Its origin remains a mystery as he struggles to stop or control the manifestations that spread to those close to him. In that effort, he moves into the mountains away from other people. Later, realizing that his move wasn't the answer he hoped for, he joins a caravan of disabled people, hoping that the magic that gave him the problem can also cure him. Can the disabilities and ailments that haunt everyone else in the caravan serve as a pivot point for Laceco to achieve relief?
Michael Coolwood's writing style is unique and fascinating in its allegorical characters, situations, and the interface of allegory with well-known psychological and sociological issues. Of particular interest to me and a positive impact on the overall story is Coolwood's depiction of chronic illness or disability and how these widespread physical difficulties impact a person's ability to meld with others, who are otherwise normal and healthy. While Laceco is the primary character and is very well portrayed, the supporting cast of characters is exceptionally well defined and vital to the story. Although the story starts relatively slowly and is a bit confusing, it quickly picks up the pace and clarifies who's who and what's what to offer an excellent read. Readers of the Greek storyteller Aesop or a modern-day author, Orwell, will especially enjoy the allegory throughout the story.
