Joseph Lewis Heil, author of the award winning novel, The War Less Civil, welcomes you to his website.
In 2012, the prestigious Faulkner-Wisdom literary competition named The War Less Civil a finalist in the novel category.
The novel's main, overarching theme is anti-war, told through multiple generations of an American family struggling to survive and prosper in a divided and changing nation.
Mr. Heil’s second novel, Judas In Jerusalem, imagines the stunning degeneration and fall of Judas Iscariot, the so-called betrayer of Jesus. Readers’ Favorite awarded Five Stars.
The Universal Heart: and Other Essay, Stories, Vignettes and Poems, Mr. Heil’s third book, a literate and entertaining collection of fresh, thought-provoking essays. stories, vignettes and poems was also awarded Five Stars by Readers’ Favorite.
Mr. Heil’s three books are available for sale in paperback and as e-books at Amazon.
In the June 1, 2016, edition of KIRKUS REVIEWS, the reviewer commented about The War Less Civil:
A sprawling debut historical novel about a family that grapples with war and political tumult.
. . . this is a powerful, moving tale, reminiscent of John Steinbeck's East of Eden in its scope and artistic aspiration.
. . . a stirring homage to, and critique of, an ever changing United States.
You can read the complete review at:
Mr. Heil’s second novel was released in October, 2018.
An early review by Mr. John Greenya. a Washington D.C. based reviewer for national publications and author of twenty-four books wrote …
“In THE WAR LESS CIVIL, his debut novel, Joseph Lewis Heil proved he can tell a story; in JUDAS IN JERUSALEM, his second novel, he proves he can tell any story. This oh-so-different history, is an excellent second effort -- no, make that second accomplishment.”
Mr. Heil’s third book was released in July, 2024.
Readers’ Favorite, the highly respected online book reviewer, awarded the book 5-Stars and stated:
“The collection offers a kaleidoscopic view of the human experience, filtered through the lens of an author who has long examined the American soul with empathy, intellect, and poetic sensitivity. Heil’s range is expansive, both thematically and emotionally. From astrophysics to hummingbirds, immigration to music, he draws connections between the cosmic and the intimate. Each piece, whether essay, story, or poem, reflects a curiosity that never wanes and a literary and engaging voice.”
“Joseph Lewis Heil’s prose is lyrical without becoming ornate, and his poetic contributions resonate with the same clarity that marks his essays and stories. Whether describing a hummingbird’s flight or the quiet revelations of marriage, his writing maintains an unforced rhythm that captures fleeting truths with care.”
You can read the complete review here: Readers’ Favorite Review - The Universal Heart
