About this title: In a small town out west, Odd Thomas works as a short-order cook at the Pico Mundo Grill. But he also communicates with ghosts, and has a particular talent for scoping out bad spirits called bodachs. When he finds a clutch of them hanging around with a stranger who has come to town, Odd starts to worry--and before long, he finds evidence that the ...
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Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Bantam Books
Date Published: 12/2003
ISBN-13:9780553802498ISBN:0553802496
Description: Good in good dust jacket. Very Good, In very good dust jacket. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 399 p. Ex-Library expected imperfections. read more
Edition: First edition. 1st printing.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Bantam Books, New York
Date Published: 2003
ISBN-13:9780553802498ISBN:0553802496
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Near fine, in near-fine dj. Small bumps to spine ends, bottom of front board. Otherwise clean, unmarked, tight, square. Dj has light general wear. Glued binding. Half cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 399 p. 24 cm. Audience: General/trade. read more
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Bantam
Date Published: 2004
ISBN-13:9780553584493ISBN:0553584499
Description: Acceptable. Overall below average used book. May have highlighting, underlining, notes, price sticker on cover, or be an ex-library book. read more
"Odd Thomas is a short-order fry cook who has the gift/curse to see dead people. These dead people do not speak but they can usually communicate in some way what they need. Some of these deceased folks don't need anything but hang onto this world for some reason, be it denial, anger or even nostalgia (as is Elvis's case). Odd Thomas is open about his "ability" to a select few: the police chief, his soulmate, Stormy and his boss, Terri. Odd Thomas also can see murky shadow creatures he has nicknamed "bodachs", that are harbingers of death and destruction. When a high volume of bodaches begin following one man, Odd Thomas desperately races to discover his evil plot. I wanted to read a spooky book during Halloween and this one did not disappoint. It is dark, plausible (except for the supernatural ability portion) and freaky. The cast of characters are memorable and it was an original story. I had to stop reading a couple times at night, especially if I was alone. There was some mention of some pretty evil, heavy stuff so I don't know if I would necessarily recommend it all around but it was one of the most original, unexpected thrillers I've read recently.
Favorite Quotes:
By this I do not mean that my life is better than yours. I'm sure that your life is filled with as much happiness, charm, wonder, and abiding fear as anyone could wish. Like me, you are human, after all, and we know what a joy and terror that is.
We are not, however, a species that can choose the baggage with which it must travel. In spite of our best intentions, we always find that we have brought along a suitcase or two of darkness, and misery."
"I had heard good things about this book, so at the last flea market I decided to pick it up and try it. Where I live we have a flea market every month, so I can usually find good books (some first editions) at great prices. At this one I picked up Odd Thomas (HC first edition) and Different Seasons by Stephen King (HC first edition) for $10 together.
I almost put the book down before I finished the first chapter. The book is written in first person, and the main character (narrator) was kind of polarizing at first. I decided to keep going through at least the second chapter, and am glad that I did.
What I liked:
1) Short Chapters-66 chapters in 302 pages. I like chapters to be short because I can read for 5 min and come to a good stopping point or I can read 3 hours and not feel like i have read that long. 2) The main character-Odd took a little while but her grew on me really quick. I tend to visualize characters and find an actor/actress to play them in my head. While reading this book I thought that Matthew Gray Gubler (Dr. Reid from the tv show Criminal Minds) would be the perfect choice to play Odd in a movie.
What I disliked:
1) The first chapter took some pounding through to progress to the better writing and story elements. Usually if I dislike the first chapter I don't finish it, but this one was different. 2) The Ending-I am not one to think that endings have to be sappy, but without giving anything away...this ending threw me a curve ball in the dirt. This alone is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 5.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, but beware the ending may make you go wow or may make you throw the book."
"Well, I found the style of writing a little irritating, but the characterizations and story more than made up for it. I loved quirky Odd Thomas and his fairly simple approach to life, despite the possession of a rather extraordinary gift regarding the dead. Also enjoyed the supporting characters. I look forward to reading the rest of the series."
"Ok - I saw the cover of Brother Odd in the bookstore and really wanted to read it, but I knew it was a sequel and I didn't want to start in the middle of something. Am I glad I did start at the beginning!
This is one of the best books I have read in a long time. First of all, I have never read anything else by the author, but this character was too much to pass up. Odd is just about perfect. He is a wonderful, somewhat tragic boy. And funny as hell to boot. I don't usually read books set in modern times, but again, character development is everything.
I really can't put into words how I feel about the Odd one. You just want to hug him. The life he wants to lead may never happen for him and that makes you sad for him. The books are written in first person, so it is as if Odd is telling you his story over coffee (or pancakes!) and rarely have I ever laughed so much at a book. And it's not a funny story, but it is very conversational. (And written in very short chapters - great for bathroom reading ;)!
The secondary characters are just as interesting and again, people (for the most part) you would want to know in real life.
I devoured these books, just to see what happens to Odd. I've read them all, much to fast, but this one is still my favorite one, altho they are all exceptional, imo."
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