Finding Greatness

For my 11th book in my quest for 50 books in 2013, I went back to Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas, selecting Brother Odd, the third in the series. I had previously read Forever Odd for my 6th selection. In all honesty, I couldn’t help myself. The book was sitting there on my nightstand, aching to be read.

As usual, Koontz marries thrills, fantasy and wit into his storytelling, making yet another fun, entertaining and difficult-to-put-down novel. Wryness permeates the entire story. For example, about three-fourths of the way through the novel, the narrator, Odd, shares his perspective on the tool of his nemesis, stating it is an apparition that is “fearsome but, in the end, less real than such threats as a man with a gun, a woman with a knife, or a U.S. senator with an idea.”

The story line itself delves into the philosophical nature of our being. Though the setting is an abbey, it is not overtly religious. Instead, it forces us to contemplate what we, too, would do if we had great power. Would we find ourselves as morally corrupt as the antagonist? Or would we seek to find a deeper connection with those less fortunate?

There are several character series out there to enjoy. I hope this is one you choose to explore.

For my sixth book of 50 in 2013, I chose Forever Odd, the follow-up to Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas, which I picked up a couple of years ago in the sale bin at Barnes & Noble. I loved the first installment of the series and when I had the chance to pick up the second and third (Brother Odd, which is on my list to read soon) at a book sale supporting my kids’ school, I pounced.

As a brief, non-spoiler intro, Odd is indeed his first name, which is explained in the first book. He has the ability to see dead people, though he can’t speak to them, nor are they much help in solving mysteries, unlike most other portrayals of such gifted (?) characters. Odd leads a simple life, complicated by his gift, family and friends.

He is a bit anti-hero, which makes him all that much more heroic, supported by Koontz’s keen ability to introduce chapters from what appears to be left field yet has some reasonable bearing on the story. The narration is at times heartfely, sarcastic, panicked and wry. It makes for a fun read, and I find myself rooting for Odd not so much to save the day but just not screw things up too much.

I was fortunate to start this book as I was traveling from Vail back to Phoenix, so I was nearly two-thirds of the way through by the time I got home. I just didn’t want to put it down.

Technically, it is Book the Seventh – The Vile Village, since the fourth book I have read this year is the seventh book in the Series of Unfortunate Events. I warned that there would be some brain candy. The real reason I read this is because my 11-year-old asked me to read the series, which I am doing between other books.

The things we do for our kids.

It’s Lemony Snicket, with a formulaic storyline. It’s occasionally fun. And it’s repetitive. But it’s also important to my daughter to read the series. So, here I am.