PRAISE FOR THE INCOMPLETENESS THEOREM:
“The Incompleteness Theorem is a novel of middle age, reinvention, and isolation, following the evolution of a new widower whose world is changed not only by the demise of his wife, but by the isolation of COVID and the trajectory of his teenage son and daughter who are on the cusp of leaving home. McDowell weaves many threads of modern life…and injects a sense of quiet desperation and growth into this saga of re-envisioning one's future under vastly changed circumstances. His attention to dialogue, detail, characterization, and life choices as the backdrops to unprecedented events brings with it a vivid familiarity with the characters… Readers won’t expect the wry humor or sense of joy that supplements pain with pleasure…as Jack’s world contracts, then expands in surprising ways chart[ing] both the highs and lows of a life that at first seems to be unraveling, but eventually reforms in a delightfully realistic manner. Fiction readers seeking contemporary middle-age novels that move beyond the obvious to probe the moments and maturity of individuals still steeped in life and learning will find that The Incompleteness Theorem crafts a welcome journey.”
—DIANE DONOVAN, Midwest Book Review
"Lively, entertaining, and uplifting, The Incompleteness Theorem looks through the lens of a sliver of America to tell a universal, touching tale of what it means to love, lose, and try to rebuild. McDowell’s smooth prose kept me eagerly turning the pages. A compulsive read."
—GREG MELVILLE, former editor Men’s Journal and author of Over My Dead Body
"The Incompleteness Theorem by Mark McDowell is the best book I've read this year by a wide margin. It is engaging, funny, relatable, and well-observed. The story is serious but never melodramatic or self-pitying, the characters are three-dimensional, and the narrative is exquisitely constructed with flow, cadence, and wit. Ultimately it is an uplifting story of self (re)discovery in the face of a tragic loss told in a fresh and unique style. As an engineer, a husband and a father, I found it resonated in a surprising number of ways."
—SANJAY SARMA, MIT Professor, and author of Grasp
"The Incompleteness Theorem is set in what appears to be a quiet haven of wealth, mansions, private clubs, and yachts. But as with all good novels, things are rarely what they seem...McDowell has written a flashy first novel in prose reminiscent of Richard Ford's."
—GARY V. POWELL, Award-winning author of Lucky Bastard
"A well-written and fun read...McDowell is able to let the reader feel as though they are right in the room with the characters, knowing them personally. You can't help falling in love with the entire family —they're all so real."
—JOHN EAST, author of Silicon Valley: The Way I Saw It
"The Incompleteness Theorem is full of real characters going through real challenges and growth. The many emotional and poignant turns come from a fully developed story with no shortcuts or cheap twists. Intellect, wit, and heart are fully present throughout. A truly beautiful accomplishment—McDowell's characters will stay with you for a while."
—ROBERT GUTH, Former Chairman and CEO Reader's Digest Association
READER REVIEWS:
"Every once in a while, you read a book that you can’t stop thinking about, even long after you’ve turned the last page. THE INCOMPLETENESS THEOREM by Mark McDowell, is his first novel and the first pandemic-era novel I’ve read, and I absolutely loved it. Jack Callany, is a middle-aged and newly widowed, soon-to-be empty nester. The tragic loss of Jack’s wife, Diane (yes, there are many treats for GenX readers) after 30 years of marriage and just as the world is about to shut down, is the story’s anchor. But this is not a depressing novel, rather it is uplifting and cleverly humorous. With expert storytelling and a large cast of well-drawn characters, presented within short, wittily titled chapters, McDowell drifts back and forth in time allowing the captivated reader to navigate Jack’s life as a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a day trader, a neighbor & friend…and to care. THE INCOMPLETENESS THEOREM is a unique and entertaining novel about present-day middle age, and I highly recommend it." -- August 2022
"So well crafted, you will rush to the next page and at the end want to read it again. Perfect for all mature readers, especially middle age. Full of insight into love, family achievement, fun, and loss. Designed with well developed, entertaining characters with flash back chapters that keep you anchored to the story line and wanting more. Mr. McDowell’s first novel is charming. It is laugh out loud funny, and serious, with sage to silly advice addressing the human condition of alone vs. lonely. Mark seasoned his story with loss, searching for meaning and starting over when life delivers you to empty nesting prematurely alone. Plan to buy another to share with a friend." -- May 2022
"Wonderful read that went by entirely too fast! A treat to move through Jack’s journey of loss and self rediscovery to realize that while life’s many surprises open us to sorrow they often yield new self insights, joy and renewal. Very relatable and somehow familiar characters brought together in a warm and witty story. I was left with renewed optimism that in life’s straight away there remain unexpected curves ahead that will challenge us, and ultimately open us to some unforeseen and satisfying new terrain. I’m off to hug my family and call an old friend!" -- July 2022
"This book was deliciously patient in its reveals and delightfully bounced from past to present as it weaved a cohesive story. Chapters were satisfyingly intact and encouraged me to keep going to see what would happen next on Jack’s journey. There were moments that were ridiculously hilarious, others that were crack-open-your-chest sweet." -- April 2022
“The Incompleteness Theorem is a novel of middle age, reinvention, and isolation, following the evolution of a new widower whose world is changed not only by the demise of his wife, but by the isolation of COVID and the trajectory of his teenage son and daughter who are on the cusp of leaving home. McDowell weaves many threads of modern life…and injects a sense of quiet desperation and growth into this saga of re-envisioning one's future under vastly changed circumstances. His attention to dialogue, detail, characterization, and life choices as the backdrops to unprecedented events brings with it a vivid familiarity with the characters… Readers won’t expect the wry humor or sense of joy that supplements pain with pleasure…as Jack’s world contracts, then expands in surprising ways chart[ing] both the highs and lows of a life that at first seems to be unraveling, but eventually reforms in a delightfully realistic manner. Fiction readers seeking contemporary middle-age novels that move beyond the obvious to probe the moments and maturity of individuals still steeped in life and learning will find that The Incompleteness Theorem crafts a welcome journey.”
—DIANE DONOVAN, Midwest Book Review
"Lively, entertaining, and uplifting, The Incompleteness Theorem looks through the lens of a sliver of America to tell a universal, touching tale of what it means to love, lose, and try to rebuild. McDowell’s smooth prose kept me eagerly turning the pages. A compulsive read."
—GREG MELVILLE, former editor Men’s Journal and author of Over My Dead Body
"The Incompleteness Theorem by Mark McDowell is the best book I've read this year by a wide margin. It is engaging, funny, relatable, and well-observed. The story is serious but never melodramatic or self-pitying, the characters are three-dimensional, and the narrative is exquisitely constructed with flow, cadence, and wit. Ultimately it is an uplifting story of self (re)discovery in the face of a tragic loss told in a fresh and unique style. As an engineer, a husband and a father, I found it resonated in a surprising number of ways."
—SANJAY SARMA, MIT Professor, and author of Grasp
"The Incompleteness Theorem is set in what appears to be a quiet haven of wealth, mansions, private clubs, and yachts. But as with all good novels, things are rarely what they seem...McDowell has written a flashy first novel in prose reminiscent of Richard Ford's."
—GARY V. POWELL, Award-winning author of Lucky Bastard
"A well-written and fun read...McDowell is able to let the reader feel as though they are right in the room with the characters, knowing them personally. You can't help falling in love with the entire family —they're all so real."
—JOHN EAST, author of Silicon Valley: The Way I Saw It
"The Incompleteness Theorem is full of real characters going through real challenges and growth. The many emotional and poignant turns come from a fully developed story with no shortcuts or cheap twists. Intellect, wit, and heart are fully present throughout. A truly beautiful accomplishment—McDowell's characters will stay with you for a while."
—ROBERT GUTH, Former Chairman and CEO Reader's Digest Association
READER REVIEWS:
"Every once in a while, you read a book that you can’t stop thinking about, even long after you’ve turned the last page. THE INCOMPLETENESS THEOREM by Mark McDowell, is his first novel and the first pandemic-era novel I’ve read, and I absolutely loved it. Jack Callany, is a middle-aged and newly widowed, soon-to-be empty nester. The tragic loss of Jack’s wife, Diane (yes, there are many treats for GenX readers) after 30 years of marriage and just as the world is about to shut down, is the story’s anchor. But this is not a depressing novel, rather it is uplifting and cleverly humorous. With expert storytelling and a large cast of well-drawn characters, presented within short, wittily titled chapters, McDowell drifts back and forth in time allowing the captivated reader to navigate Jack’s life as a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a day trader, a neighbor & friend…and to care. THE INCOMPLETENESS THEOREM is a unique and entertaining novel about present-day middle age, and I highly recommend it." -- August 2022
"So well crafted, you will rush to the next page and at the end want to read it again. Perfect for all mature readers, especially middle age. Full of insight into love, family achievement, fun, and loss. Designed with well developed, entertaining characters with flash back chapters that keep you anchored to the story line and wanting more. Mr. McDowell’s first novel is charming. It is laugh out loud funny, and serious, with sage to silly advice addressing the human condition of alone vs. lonely. Mark seasoned his story with loss, searching for meaning and starting over when life delivers you to empty nesting prematurely alone. Plan to buy another to share with a friend." -- May 2022
"Wonderful read that went by entirely too fast! A treat to move through Jack’s journey of loss and self rediscovery to realize that while life’s many surprises open us to sorrow they often yield new self insights, joy and renewal. Very relatable and somehow familiar characters brought together in a warm and witty story. I was left with renewed optimism that in life’s straight away there remain unexpected curves ahead that will challenge us, and ultimately open us to some unforeseen and satisfying new terrain. I’m off to hug my family and call an old friend!" -- July 2022
"This book was deliciously patient in its reveals and delightfully bounced from past to present as it weaved a cohesive story. Chapters were satisfyingly intact and encouraged me to keep going to see what would happen next on Jack’s journey. There were moments that were ridiculously hilarious, others that were crack-open-your-chest sweet." -- April 2022
_w200_h/Campfire%20Tales%20Cover%20Art(1)_09140500.jpg "Campfire Tales")