Thoughts from a Book Read

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Items from a Book

I read a lot of thrillers and, in my experience, this one has considerable originality, most of all for its first-person narrative built on the lead protagonist’s internal dialogue which fills most of the book.

Koontz has created an interesting, possibly unique, character in “Odd Thomas” with his paranormal faculties. The book hints at darker things being possible though my imagination could not fill the gaps.

This thriller also stood out for little sayings I thought were memorable. They were:

“The joys of life can be found anywhere. Far places only offer exotic ways to suffer.” I wonder how many travellers can relate to that? It’s always nice to return home, though sometimes to daydream about living elsewhere.

“...spent his life killing himself with food ... without the solace and refuge of food, he would have been dead long ago ... books and excess poundage are his insulation against pain”. It says a lot about how many of us use food as a harbour from the difficulties of life and become obese as a result. At least book-reading doesn’t add on any fat.

“threnody” – a new word to me, meaning a lamentation, especially of a person’s death.

“She says that what holds their marriage together is that she feels too damn sorry for him to ask for a divorce.” Rather clever and amusing, I thought, and a reminder that there are so many reasons why marriages last.

I also liked Koontz’s ideal of marriage, expressed by his character, “Odd Thomas”, as:
“What really holds their marriage together are mutual respect of an awesome depth, a shared sense of humour, faith that they were brought together by a force greater than themselves, and a love so unwavering and pure that it is sacred.” I can’t help thinking that this so beautifully describes the marital holy grail that a couple should pursue.




View all my reviews