Review: The Uncanny Redemption of Philip E. Loeser by Robert T. Krantz

Honestly told and deep in its wisdom, The Uncanny Redemption of Philip E. Loeser by Robert T. Krantz is a clever slice of character-driven drama.

Phil Loeser has been bouncing from one fight to another since childhood, and while he self-identifies as a good guy who never starts a fight, he certainly knows how to finish them. When his temper and fists get him into deeper trouble than usual, unexpected sources of hope appear before him – genuine chances to turn things around, if he can only manage to keep his head on straight.

First, there is the angelic face of the woman offering him forgiveness after his moment of sin, then the kindly cellmate in county jail. Aubrey – a perennial resident of jail with wisdom to spare – has a mythic quality to him, a combination of Clarence from “It’s a Wonderful Life” and Abbe Faria from The Count of Monte Cristo. In terms of literary influences, it is also hard to ignore the parallels to Ebenezer Scrooge’s redemption in A Christmas Carol, as he offers Phil insight, perspective, and a new outlook.

However, Phil’s desire for vengeance is strong, even though he knows that moving against the sheriff of the town will only get him sent upstate, or worse. Readers may expect a transformation to occur in the main character, given the name of this story, but the journey isn’t smooth or neat, despite eventually being wrapped up in a charming bow. Overcoming a lifetime of feeling like a “loser” takes time, and Phil’s titular redemption requires the right series of nudges, luck, and chance encounters.

A novella that inspires in a tight fifty pages, this is a raw and powerful tale of redemption and human resilience. Phil must battle his demons, overcoming the temptations of alcohol and gambling when he is at his most vulnerable, before he can reach the next open doorway of his life. Pushing through newfound grief and ancient temptation, he once again reveals himself to a kindred spirit, and that decision finally leads him to a place of understanding, kindness, and the bright light of hope.

There are some issues in the prose and storytelling, beginning with the mysterious presence of “The Woman,” who plays a significant bookending role in the story, yet readers learn little to nothing about her. Aubrey’s character is wonderfully developed, but the rest of the players feel conveniently placed and somewhat superficial. In terms of character development, most details are stated directly, including emotional perspectives and opinions, leaving little for readers to discover or infer. That said, most of the dialogue is terse, purposeful, and believable, from chats between bookies and inmates to cabbies and perfect strangers, while the narration is engagingly paced.

In terms of editing, there are some basic errors, i.e. “there” instead of “their,” as well as more subjective writing stumbles, such as idiomatic language and overly common descriptions. Despite these occasional weak points, The Uncanny Redemption of Philip E. Loeser is a tightly spiraled and multifaceted story touching on relatable themes, exploring dark challenges, and celebrating the indomitable human spirit.