Customer Reviews

Prodigal Child: A Novel

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This book is an entertaining, but serious, look at the life of an artist who lived through the post-WWII era and experienced the revolutions of the 1960s in England. He lives at the whims of fate. In his musical world, relationships are the key to success. In addition to opening the doors to the world of art and music, the book comments on the unfairness of society and the forces that come to bear when men entrust their rights and freedoms to governments. Abuse of power is a fateful force in the life of the main character. Prodigal Child was a new genre for me and I think a unique experience. It was highly original and well written. Though the character was supposedly fictional, the experiences seem to be drawn from real life. The story was so real that it had an autobiographical feel. If so, the author has had an extremely interesting life.

Today I met the author at a booksigning, having read his book several weeks ago and sharing it with equally enthusiastic neighbors. David Moulton even sang some of his songs for us after answering many questions. The memoir-type story grabbed my attention when he first wrote about black/white American soldiers in WW II. The beginning takes place in London and environs before he moves to the US. An abusive father, unfortunate jail sentences, sprinkled with music, rock bands and painting, provide a rainbow of heartfelt experiences. From singing in St. Paul's Cathedral to metal art work in California, the story is expansive and appealing to any age. Listening to the author answer questions thoughtfully and express his British wording so very clearly make me look forward to our discussion group next week on The Prodigal Child.

Alternately heart warming and heart wrenching, Prodigal Child explores the life of Eddie Conner, whose superb talent is matched only by the obstacles he encounters on his journey through self-hood. Although unfortunate circumstances plague his youth, Eddie carries with him the seed of a curious philosophy planted by a childhood friend that keeps him safe, emotionally and psychologically, through all his trials. Later in adulthood, this seed blooms into a spiritual awakening, thereby redeeming our protagonist and placing his struggles into a refreshing perspective.

E. David Moulton relates the rise, fall and rebirth of our hero in a succinct, matter-of-fact style, merging the boundaries between fiction, biography and parable. Prodigal Child is an easy read, a delightful reminder of life's uncanny way of matching every sorrow and misfortune with an equal or greater joy.

Set in England on the rough, crime-ridden streets of the East End of London during and after the 1950's, Prodigal Child by E. David Moulton is the story of a talented young singer and songwriter, growing up in the post-war world. A absorbing tale of incorporating and amalgamating American jazz, rock-n-roll, and the blues into one's heart and soul, of opportunities pursued and lost; and quirks of fate and treasured memories. Prodigal Child clearly documents David Moulton as a skilled and engaging novelist.

I enjoyed going through life with a boy and accompanying him on his journey through manhood. I am not a "spiritual" person, and yet I found the spiritual guidance to be the most appealing part of the book. The boy learns lessons early in the book which come to fruition in his life in Chapters 27 and 28. The book reads like an autobiography, which is why it all seems so believable and workable in real life. Thanks, Mr. Moulton, for a great read!