Eddie's Boy by Robert Schwab is an emotionally compelling Southern drama. When a pivotal moment alters the life of Dr. Landon Ratliff, the world as he knows it ends, and he doesn't know if or how it will ever return. His professional identity is gone, and his closely held private life is revealed. He has no choice but to face his fear, and begin the slow journey of recovery. Not just physical, but familial--something that seemed impossible until now. He and his father haven't been the closest, but a diagnosis of terminal illness calls him back home. His girlfriend Luna plays a part in all of this.

This character-driven novel is the perfect vehicle for exploring human frailty, strength, and the unexpected path of life. This slice-of-life story has something for everyone--a richly layered protagonist, with a broad message of inspiration, courage, and taking chances. A midlife crisis is a catalyst for a cascade of events in the life of Dr. Ratliff, rippling outward to other things and other people in his life. The relationship between the doctor and his girlfriend is interesting and so realistic. You feel as if you're eavesdropping on conversations between your neighbors or friends. Schwab handles plot, characterization, and dialogue with grace and ease--a natural storyteller with amazing insight into human nature, motivations, and choices. His detailed descriptions put you into the heart of every scene. I really like the layers the author brings to the characters and the plot, because it really invests you and makes you care about what happens. Ratliff's journey is painful but touching and full of human insight. Eddie's Boy by Robert Schwab ties together nicely and is a rewarding read that elevates and entertains.

You do not know what will happen to 40-year-old Dr. Landon Ratliff after his car accident. He is told to relax and heal, but relaxing does not come easy for a workaholic like him. What is going on in his mind, and can such tragedy trigger a midlife crisis? The answers are explored in Robert Schwab’s novel, Eddie's Boy. Other than the crash, fate has dealt him a very sick joke, as he is also diagnosed with a terminal illness. As a medical practitioner, he tries to submit to his doctor’s orders, but part of him is unsure if he really wants to. His supportive girlfriend, Luna Quinn, is there for him, but he feels emasculated at the thought that Luna would have to babysit him. Landon’s father, Eddie Ratliff, is dealing with his own terminal illness—a corroded pancreas as a result of alcoholism. As Landon undergoes a process of healing through the help of Luna, he will try to come to terms with his father and realize that healing runs deeper than mere physical injuries.

Eddie’s Boy is not just about midlife crisis, but about the drama that stems from human relationships. The story opens with how Landon is rushed to a hospital after a gruesome accident and explores what is going on in his semi-conscious brain. Schwab’s story deserves more readers. It has prose that is compelling and evocative. You can feel yourself gagging from the intubation that is stuffed in Landon’s throat. Schwab provides the reality of complex relationships but in a way that is redemptive. It becomes a spiritual journey that gives you the reassurance that humanity is not yet a lost cause. Landon’s path toward healing glows as the story moves along. Eddie’s Boy is a story about personal happiness. It becomes a must-read because it weaves a spell over the magic and triumph of getting into middle age.