Tortuga

Tortuga by Rudolfo A. Anaya
Fiction
Quit on 3/23/06
Rating: DNF (Did Not Finish)

It’s been almost 10 years since I took a Great Plains Literature class at UNL where I was introduced to the lyrical writing of authors such as Teresa Jordan, Willa Cather, and Rudolfo Anaya. I was intrigued by the mystical realism I encountered in Anaya’s first novel, Bless Me, Ultima and as a result, searched for more of his works to read at a later date. Didn’t think it would take me quite so long to pick one up, though! Unfortunately, Tortuga failed to capture my interest and I gave up after only 20 pages. Nothing about it appealed to me and I kept finding my attention wandering.

An Ocean Apart

An Ocean Apart by Robin Pilcher
Contemporary Fiction
Finished on 3/22/06
Rating: A- (8/10 Very good)

Sometimes I’m utterly amazed by the sheer number of new books released every year. As I gaze about our house and see all the books I’ve acquired over the past 10 years and have yet to read, I feel a sense of panic. Will I live long enough to read all that I want to read?

I’ve had an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of Robin Pilcher’s An Ocean Apart in my stacks for over six years. I don’t know what possessed me to finally pull it from the shelf, adding it to the stack next to my bedside, but I did and I’m pleased to say I wasn’t disappointed. But only because I didn’t really expect anything extraordinary. Yes, he’s Rosamunde Pilcher’s son, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he’s as talented as his mother. His writing is very nice, but it lacks the lyricism that Rosamunde evokes in The Shell Seekers, Winter Solstice and September.

This is a story of love -- love between family and friends, not simply a romantic love story. The setting was pleasantly drawn, but left me hungry for richer details like those of his mother’s.

While I enjoyed the book, I do have a couple of minor stylistic quibbles with Pilcher’s writing. The first has to do with the excessive use of the word “reckon,” which simply didn’t ring true in the dialogue. It struck me as a word you’d hear from a cowboy in one of Larry McMurtry's or Cormac McCarthy’s novels, rather than from a part-owner of a large distillery business in Scotland. But maybe I’m wrong -- perhaps it’s perfectly common in British slang. Even so, reading it several times on a single page was disruptive to the narrative flow.

My second complaint pertains to the use of a supporting character who is introduced in the opening chapter. I got the general impression that this person was a close friend of the family, and would become an integral part of the storyline. However, after basically using her to provide a means to explain the back story, Pilcher subsequently dropped her from any further appearances, leaving me to wonder where exactly she fit in the scheme of things. In a character-driven narrative such as this, a loose end like this feels weak and unnecessary.

All in all, it was an entertaining read with very likeable characters. At times it seemed a bit predictable, but that suited me just fine. Sometimes it’s nice to know that in the end, everything works out for the best. It’s comforting to know that, in books at least, things can work out, the good guy wins, love saves the day, and terrible wrongs can be righted.

While it’s not a book I loved and I doubt I’ll ever read it again, I couldn’t bear to add it to my stack to take to our local used bookstore for resale. It’s one I’d recommend and be happy to loan out, and I look forward to reading more by Mr. Pilcher in the future. But first to tackle the books I already have!

The Tea House on Mulberry Street

The Tea House on Mulberry Street by Sharon Owens
Contemporary Fiction
Quit on 3/17/06
Rating: DNF (Did Not Finish)

In spite of the cheerful cover, I did not care for this book one bit, and put it aside after 80 pages. I kept getting the impression that Owens was trying to emulate of style not of her own and in the process produced a dull, flat narrative with a sad cast of characters, most of whom were either in loveless marriages or full of unpleasant traits. Life is too short…

Melancholy Baby

Melancholy Baby by Robert Parker
Mystery
Finished on 3/16/06
Rating: A (9/10 Terrific!)

Once again, Robert Parker delivers a fun-filled read, but I’m glad I didn’t pay full price in order to get my Sunny Randall fix (thank goodness for libraries!). I thought the book was a bit too short (lots of white space on the page – wide margins; larger-than-usual font; chapters beginning low on the page), and I zipped through it in just a few quick hours. Nonetheless, it was just as enjoyable as the previous three in this series. Sunny is hired by a college student who wishes to find her biological parents, much to the annoyance of the couple who claim to be Sarah Markham’s real parents. Sunny’s personal life continues to wreak havoc on her emotional well-being, particularly in the wake of her ex-husband’s remarriage; and with the help of psychiatrist Susan Silverman (in a type of literary "cameo appearance," since Silverman is a regular character in Parker's Spencer series), she begins to uncover the source of her unhappiness and inability to commit to a relationship, even with the one she truly loves.

Melancholy Baby lacks suspense and the mystery is all too easy to figure out, but I still enjoyed the snappy dialogue and continuation of Sunny’s search for happiness. I’m anxious for the release of Blue Screen, due out on June 6th. Hmmm, I wonder if it’s too soon to put my name on the reserve list for this one at my library.

Last Call

Last Call by Laura Pedersen
Contemporary Fiction
Quit on 3/15/06
Rating: DNF (Did Not Finish)

In spite of several glowing reviews, I decided to give up on this book after reading almost 200 (about 2/3 of the book!) pages. Neither the characters or the plot could keep my interest and I found it all just a bit too predictable and sentimental.

Silent Prey

Silent Prey by John Sandford
Mystery
Finished on 3/13/06
Rating: A- (8/10 Very good)

Lucas Davenport’s past returns to haunt him, drawing him to New York City to assist in the investigation of a series murders. I enjoyed this fourth book in Sandford’s “Prey” series much more than the previous, Eyes of Prey. I don’t think it was nearly as gruesome or overdone, and the dual plot-lines kept my interest (read: confusion!) as I tried to keep up with Davenport and the intricacies of the unfolding mystery. In addition to the familiar supporting cast, Lucas is once again torn between his past and present, as he becomes involved in the case and once again, another love-interest. Not surprisingly, Sandford delivers a clever twist in the closing chapters, forcing me to flip back through the pages, unsuccessfully searching for clues I might have missed. While most of these mysteries are easily forgotten in a day or two, the details of this particular book have stayed with me a bit longer. I’m anxious to move on to Winter Prey, which seems apropos on this final day of winter.

The Magician's Assistant

The Magician’s Assistant by Ann Patchett
Contemporary Fiction
Finished 3/9/06
Rating: B+ (7/10 Good)

Ann Patchett has written four novels and a memoir and up until now, I’d only read Bel Canto (which, incidentally, made my Top Ten list for 2004). The Magician’s Assistant is one of those books I kept hearing good things about, but which remained on my shelf far too long –- until last month when I wandered around the house and picked out an armful of books that I’d always meant to get to -- sort of a “determination stack” for my March reading list. (So far, so good. The stack is actually getting smaller in spite of my frequent visits to the library.)

As I discovered with Bel Canto, this is not a book for everyone. It’s a quiet, character-driven read with very little action, although there is a foreboding sense of drama that is slowly revealed in the second half of the narrative. While it could have been a quick read, I chose to take my time (as I did with Bel Canto), savoring Patchett’s prose, lingering over the minute details of the story. I would have given the book a higher rating, but the abrupt ending was somewhat disappointing, although not entirely surprising.

The story takes place in both L.A. and Alliance, Nebraska, the latter of which is unfortunately depicted in somewhat of a negative manner (“In fact, the entire state of Nebraska defied imagination. Who actually lives there?”). Newly widowed Sabine learns the truth of her husband’s past and discovers love and friendship as she comes to terms with her own role in the unfolding drama and future in her newly acquired family. This is a story of truth and deception, all in the name of love and family. Smoke and mirrors. Trap doors and distraction. As with magic, not all is as it appears to be, and not everything that appears to be real truly is.

Shoot the Moon

Shoot the Moon by Billie Letts
Contemporary Fiction
Finished 3/3/06
Rating: A (9/10 Terrific!)

It’s been several years since I’ve read anything by Billie Letts. When Shoot the Moon was published in July 2004, I was quite anxious to read it. I loved her earlier books (Where the Heart Is and The Honk and Holler Opening Soon) and had a good feeling about this new release. I added the title to my Amazon wish list and planned to read it as soon as possible. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of reading a few negative reviews about the book and decided to pass on it – at least for the time being. I actually checked it out from the library a couple of times, returning it unread, uninspired to even give it a try. Maybe things worked out for the best; waiting for the right moment and not having high expectations, as I have for other favorite authors’ works. Shoot the Moon is a fantastic book and I was pleasantly surprised. Billie Letts is a great storyteller.

On January 30, 1972, Gaylene Harjo is murdered and her ten-month-old son, Nicky Jack disappears, assumed to have been killed as well. Now, almost thirty years later, a stranger arrives in De Clare, Oklahoma seeking answers to the recent discovery of his adoption in late 1972. Letts doesn’t rely on flashbacks to move her story along, but the inclusion of Gaylene’s diary, interspersed between sections of the narrative, helps fill in gaps while creating suspense and intrigue. As the details of Mark Albright’s story unravel, this compelling mystery reaches a climatic finale, forcing this reader to stay up far too late in the night, anxious to see how it would all play out. Just when I started to think the plot was too predictable, Letts surprised me with a shocking twist.

I haven’t heard of any upcoming releases by Billie Letts, but you can be sure that when I do, I won’t let any negative reviews influence my decision this time. But until then, I may just have to give The Honk and Holler Opening Soon another read. It’s my favorite of the three and it’s been six years to the month since I first read it.

Eyes of Prey

Eyes of Prey by John Sandford
Mystery
Finished 3/1/06
Rating: B (6/10 So-so)

I rarely ever read a series out of order. It just goes against my nature. Yet my first encounter with Sandford’s “Prey” series was his most recent release in the series. Rod was in the middle of Broken Prey and told me about a specific plot line that piqued my interest. I hadn’t really planned to read the entire series, but once he finished and I was able to read the book, I was hooked and wanted more. Of course I went back and started from the beginning and now have just finished the third in the series. Thank goodness for anal retentiveness! Had Eyes of Prey been the first or second, I doubt I would’ve continued. I didn’t like the book nearly as much as its predecessors. It wasn’t terrible, but it certainly wasn’t anything that would make me rush out and look for more. I’m not really sure what was missing. Davenport wasn’t as interesting and the killer (Bekker) was just far too creepy – the epitome of a sicko. The latter’s drug episodes became a bit tedious, further tainting my opinion of the series.

Having said that, I have to admit that the ending was a jaw-dropper and I found myself thumbing back though the book, re-reading several passages, looking for clues I might have missed. It was definitely unexpected. Actually, there was more than one surprising twist, which helped to redeem Sandford’s ability in this reader’s eyes (no pun intended!) and today I picked up the fourth in the series. Drat! Bekker’s back, turning up just like a bad penny. Oh, well. I can’t stop now. Another fairly new character has returned as well and I’m curious to see where it will all lead. Guess that’s the point. Stay tuned.

Coming Attractions!

I own hundreds of books that I've yet to read, so why am I chomping at the bit for these upcoming releases?! Because I'm a book addict and I can't help myself. I plan to buy the Berg and Laskas books as soon as they hit the shelves (April 4th and 25th, respectively). As much as I love Coben's Myron Bolitar series, I think I can wait and get it from the library. It's also due out on April 25th.

The Exact Same Moon: Fifty Acres and a Family

The Exact Same Moon: Fifty Acres and a Family by Jeanne Marie Laskas
Memoir
Finished on 2/23/06
Rating: A+ (10/10 Superb!)

I generally don’t read nonfiction. It tends to feel too much like school work and I usually like to read to relax or escape. However, there are a couple of nonfiction areas of interest that do appeal to me. I enjoy reading about World War II, but what I really like is a good memoir from just about any time period. Just barely out of high school, I stumbled on a copy of Yeager: An Autobiography and while it was obviously a self-serving work, I was new to the genre and instantly hooked.

Over the years, I’ve read dozens of memoirs, several of which I’ve raved about to anyone who will listen. And while doing just that during a dinner party this past weekend (hey, books make good conversation!), I had an epiphany of sorts. Almost all of my favorite memoirs are written by professional writers: All Over But the Shoutin’ (Rick Bragg), Wait Til Next Year (Doris Kearns Goodwin), Around the House and In The Garden (Dominique Browning), Birdbaths and Paper Cranes (Sharon Randall) and Fifty Acres and a Poodle (Jeanne Laskas). Sure there are others written equally well: Rocket Boys (Homer Hickam), The Road From Coorain (Jill Kerr Conway), and A Year By the Sea (Joan Anderson) but these folks aren’t columnists or magazine editors and are the exception to the rule. In my experience, most memoirs written by non-writers (e.g., politicians, scientists) seem stilted and contrived.

So what makes a good memoir? For me, it’s the author’s ability to draw me into his world, evoking a sense of time and place with a lyrical turn of phrase, a bit of humor and a touch of tenderness. When a memoir resonates with me, I’m tempted to dash off a fan letter and invite the author to dinner. These are people I want to know – to discuss their favorite books & authors over sea bass, risotto, and a nice bottle of wine.

I’ve just finished Jeanne Laskas’ second memoir, entitled The Exact Same Moon: Fifty Acres and a Family, and can’t praise it enough.

Laskas is a columnist for The Washington Post Magazine (“Significant Others”) and I first encountered her writing last February when I read Fifty Acres and A Poodle. I absolutely loved the book and gave it a perfect A+ rating (placing it in my Top Ten List for 2005). So, what a pleasant surprise to read such a satisfying follow-up this past month. It was such a pleasure to return to her family, friends, and menagerie at Sweetwater Farm in Scenery Hill, Pennsylvania.

From the opening pages, I was roaring out loud with laughter, stopping to catch my breath, wipe my eyes and share the passage with Rod (who had already read the book, but enjoyed – or pretended to enjoy – hearing it again). Jeanne and Alex have quite a brood – dogs, horses, mules, you name it - with marvelous names like Marley, Betty, Wilma, Sparky, Sassy, Skippy, Maggie, and Cricket. And as if that weren’t enough, they borrow some of their neighbor’s sheep to help maintain their fifty acres of alfalfa. Animal antics always provide fodder for humor and dogs are the best, although losing a mule (especially one that happens to be wearing an orange scarf resembling a babushka) on opening day of deer season is pretty darned funny.

But life isn’t always a barrel of laughs. Still in the process of learning how one actually lives on a farm and managing her four-legged motley crew, Jeanne is abruptly forced to deal with issues of aging parents, in addition to her rather sudden decision to have a child somewhat late in life. Both situations are described with a gentle blend of humor and tenderness, often bringing a lump to my throat, as well as an occasional tear or two.

This is unquestionably a book to savor and I have to confess that after reading the last line, I hugged it to my chest while whispering, “good book!” Always a good indicator of an A+ rating.

I hope this isn’t the last we see of Jeanne Laskas. She still has so much more to share about her family, new friends, and of course the animals. However, if this is it, I still have her weekly columns, thanks to Google Alerts. And… I just happen to know a certain somebody who fits the criterion for a high-quality memoirist. He’s got a great sense of humor, can turn a beautiful phrase, and just happens to write for a living. Guess we’ll have to get to work on that menagerie, though. I’ve already got several names picked out.

Velocity

Velocity by Dean Koontz
Thriller
Finished on 2/21/06
Rating: D (1/10 Terrible, but suffered through it)

Poor Bill Wile. Life just hasn’t been very good to him. A horrific family tragedy strikes when he’s just a young boy, but he eventually grows up, moves on and finds comfort in his woodworking and writing. Unfortunately, an unpleasant incident befalls his fiancée, leaving her comatose for over four years. When he’s not at her bedside carrying on one-sided conversations, he leads a quiet, solitary life as a bartender in Napa County. That is, until he becomes the recipient of disturbing notes and phone messages that draw him into a psychotic nightmare with a madman. The first note, found on his windshield, demands one of two choices: Go to the police and “an elderly woman” will die. Seek no help, and a “lovely blond schoolteacher” will be killed. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. This freak has forced Bill into a deadly game of cat and mouse and Bill has no choice but to play. He’s a player even if he opts not to be. Such a cruel nightmare, deciding the fate of one life over another. As the story progresses, the ultimatums reveal that the murderer is even more cunning and evil than was first apparent.

Unfortunately, this mystery failed to satisfy. It was hardly an edge-of-your-seat thriller, although I have to admit I wasn’t able to determine the identity of such a Machiavellian killer. Perhaps I need to take a break from Dean Koontz. I’ve read several (well, three) of his books since I first read Odd Thomas and none have wowed me the way that particular book did. Velocity isn’t a bad read. Just nothing I’d recommend and probably one I should’ve returned to the library unfinished. I know I told Rod several times that I wasn’t the least bit impressed with the storyline or characters, and all that was pushing me to finish was simple curiosity. I’ve never been much of a skimmer; I either read a book in its entirety or simply quit when it fails to entertain. Maybe I should be a little more flexible and, rather than waste an extra day or two, simply read ahead enough to satisfy that insistent curiosity and then be done with it.

In this case, Koontz disappointed me, but perhaps I should have quit reading when I realized that the plot just hadn't grabbed me.

Shrink Rap

Shrink Rap by Robert Parker
Mystery
Finished on 2/?/06
Rating: A (9/10 Terrific!)


Sunny Randall continues to be one of my favorite characters. She’s a tough, intelligent, no-nonsense private eye who paints landscapes for pleasure, adores Rosie (her miniature bull terrier), and juggles her mixed emotions as she tries to figure out if she really wants to rekindle her relationship with her mobbed-up ex-husband, Richie. She’s the perfect heroine, warts and all.

While surreptitiously investigating a prominent psychiatrist, Sunny not only comes face to face with a manipulative killer, but inadvertently uncovers some of her own unpleasant issues while undergoing therapy.

I zipped through Shrink Rap in record speed, laughing out loud as often as I held my breath. It’s a quick read (99% of the text is comprised of rapid-fire dialogue), but at the time I thought it was the second to the last in the series. Not knowing if Parker had plans to continue indefinitely as he seems to have done with his Spenser series (exceeding 30 titles – all of which I plan to read someday!), I desperately tried to drag my reading experience out as long as possible. This proved difficult as the intense climax caused the pages to fly.

While there is nothing lyrical about Parker’s writing, he delivers a fun-filled read (I like to think of it as brain candy). P.J. Tracy fans might do well to consider taking a look at this series as they eagerly await the release of the next Monkeewrench installment (Snow Blind), which is due out in August.

There’s a lot of good reading to look forward to this summer. I’m elated to have just learned that on June 6th, the fifth in this series (Blue Screen) will be released! And I still have Melancholy Baby in my library stack. Boy, it doesn’t take much to make this fan happy. I love this series and am completely addicted. Parker had me from hello.

Shadow Prey

Shadow Prey by John Sandford
Mystery
Finished on 2/?/06
Rating: A- (8/10 Very Good)

This is the second installment in John Sandford’s Prey series, which I’ve recently discovered. As with the first (Rules of Prey), the story revolves around detective Lucas Davenport’s attempt to capture the individuals involved in a string of grisly murders. It’s no mystery to the reader who is responsible for the murders, as the chapters alternate between unraveling the details and motive and Davenport’s struggle to pinpoint and trap the killers. We learn more about Davenport’s personal life (of course, there's a new love-interest) as well as bits and pieces of the supporting cast’s.

After the tragic loss of Rachel to the hands of a murderer, I often wonder how I can possibly find a murder mystery so entertaining. Sandford’s books are not “cozies.” They're full of fairly graphic detail of the workings of the twisted minds of killers. But it’s not so much these details that entertain, but rather the character development, smooth pacing, and somewhat predictable structure of each novel. I know that in the end the good guys will win and that, for the most part, Davenport will pick himself back up, climb back into his Porsche, and drive off into the sunset (either with or without the girl).

Walking Across Egypt

Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton
Contemporary Fiction
Finished on 2/10/06
Rating: C (3/10 Ho-hum)

Here is another example of a book that’s been in my to-be-read shelves forever. I don’t remember what drew me to it originally, perhaps a glowing review by a fellow book buddy. The bad news is I didn’t care one bit for the bland plot, narrative voice or characters. I found the whole thing a bit too cloyingly sweet and was ready to be finished after the first dozen or so pages. The good news is I went into it without any high expectations, so I didn’t feel let down. And since it’s a fairly short story, I was able to whip through it less than 24 hours. I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have bothered reading the whole thing had it been much longer.

These Granite Islands

These Granite Islands by Sarah Stonich
Contemporary Fiction
Finished on 2/9/06
Rating: A (9/10 Terrific!)


We all have favorite authors, ones that with baited breath we wait for their next release, succumbing to the hardcover price or pestering our librarians to quickly order the title, begging them to place our names at the top of the waiting-list. These are the authors whose collections of books take up entire shelves at Barnes & Noble and Borders. Even non-readers are vaguely familiar with their names: Janet Evanovich, Stephen King, Elizabeth Berg, Anita Shreve and Dean Koontz.

There’s nothing wrong with having favorites, but every now and then it’s nice to discover a new, relatively unknown author. It’s especially nice when the debut novel turns out to be such a gem that even before finishing the last sentence, you’re frantically searching Amazon for more titles you can get your hands on. This is exactly what happened to me earlier this month while I was perusing my shelves (yes, I have shelves and shelves of unread books – kind like having my own personal bookstore – I even have coffee & Biscotti) and glanced at a title, vaguely recalling the high praise from a fellow book-lover when I originally mentioned that I’d acquired the book. These Granite Islands has been on my shelf for at least two years, and I’m glad I finally got around to giving it a read. Having just finished Isabel’s Daughter, I was a little concerned that the odds of two great books, back-to-back, would be pretty slim. I shouldn’t have worried. Sarah Stonich delivers a great story and I was almost instantly transported back to the summer of 1936. While it took just a little more than a chapter to grasp the structure of the narrative, it wasn’t long before the transitions smoothed out, alternating between Isobel’s (yep, another Isobel) past and present as she reminisced about her life as a young wife and mother and the new friendship that brings tragedy and mystery to the small mining town of Cypress, Minnesota. Isobel’s adult son, who sits quietly alongside her hospital bed, listening as she recounts the details of that strange summer, slowly discovering that the memories he had and held to be true were only a young boy’s interpretation of what actually took place.

I didn’t expect such a page-turner, but I finished in less than two days. As the final pages drew near, I found myself slowing down, lingering over each sentence, not wanting to leave the characters or the lakeside community. Stonich casts a spell with her flair for rich detail and I particularly enjoyed the vivid descriptions of the two friends working side by side, as they transformed a portion of Victor’s (Isobel’s husband) tailor shop into a millinery, bringing to mind the details I so loved in Jennifer Donnelly’s The Tea Rose (another fine example of an exquisite novel by a fairly unknown author).

Stonich has written a second novel entitled The Ice Chorus and I’ve just now added that to my ever-growing Amazon wish list (which also serves as my library list). I own so many other books I should read first, but somehow I can’t let another two years pass before reading more by this author. She deserves to join the ranks of Anita Shreve, Anne Tyler and Alice Hoffman.

Isabel's Daughter

Isabel's Daughter by Judith Ryan Hendricks
Contemporary Fiction
Finished on 2/7/06
Rating: A (9/10 Terrific!)

What an enjoyable book. I was completely engrossed and grew anxious to get back to my reading when busy with other things. It’s been a long time since I’ve been so taken by a novel and I savored Hendricks’ lovely, descriptive prose. I found it a bit reminiscent of Elizabeth Berg’s detailed narratives.

I read Hendricks’ debut novel, Bread Alone, several years ago and while I enjoyed that light (read: fluff) story, I believe Isabel’s Daughter has more depth, both in plot and character development. I took pleasure in reading both about the location (Santa Fe) and the culinary details.

I discovered this lovely quote at the front of the book (page after the dedication page):

Your absence has gone through me
Like thread through a needle.
Everything I do is stitched
With its color.
W.S. Merwin

I highly recommend this gem of a book and plan to read more by the author. I’m anxious for the paperback edition of The Baker’s Apprentice to hit the shelves. Maybe this time I’ll get lucky with a sequel!

By the way, does anyone know the name of the page that comes after the dedication page??

Forever Odd

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz
Thriller/Horror
Finished on 2/3/06
Rating: B- (5/10 Fair)

Rats! I’d been looking forward to this sequel to Odd Thomas ever since I first heard there was one in the works. What a disappointment! It was no where near as good as Odd Thomas. Compared to the first book, all the wonderful relationships between Odd and his friends were trivial in this sequel. I missed the interaction between Odd, Stormy, Chief Porter and Teri (Elvis was still hanging around, though) but I also missed the suspense and romance that I so enjoyed in the first book. I read almost 150 pages (just about 50% of the book) before I began to have any interest in the plot and even then, it simply lacked the enchantment of Odd Thomas. This said, I haven't let my disappointment affect my opinion of Koontz’s ability to entertain. As a matter of fact, I'm currently reading Velocity, another one of his cat and mouse thrillers.

Nature & Books

Nature and Books

belong to the

eyes that

see them.

Emerson

Odd Thomas

Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz
Mystery/Horror
Finished on 2/1/06
Rating: A+ (10/10 Superb!)



I originally read this wonderful book back in August 2004. It'd been years (decades?) since I'd read anything by Koontz, but a friend raved about it and I decided to give it a try. I wasn't disappointed and it wound up on my Top Ten list for the year. When I learned Koontz was about to publish a sequel (Forever Odd), I was thrilled and decided to re-read Odd Thomas in preparation for the continuation of Odd's story.

Again, I was not disappointed. The book was just as good as I remembered (the mark of a truly great book, in my humble opinion) and made me even more anxious to pick up Forever Odd. Of course it helped that I'd forgotten several narrative details in the past year and a half. But I also remembered several that enabled me to read late into the night without spooking myself as I did the first time around.

Koontz not only weaves a spell-binding tale of horror, but writes a lyrical love story that will remain in my memory for years to come. I fell in love with Odd and felt his joy as well as his sorrow. He joins my list of favorite male characters, keeping company with Owen (A Prayer for Owen Meany), Ender Wiggin (Ender's Game) and Charlie (The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud).

I'd love to see this on the big screen some day. It's got something for everyone -- thrills, chills, humor and romance. Too bad Viggo Mortensen isn't a few years younger.