Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion
This topic is about
Forever Odd
Odd Thomas Series
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Forever Odd (Group Read - January 2016)
Brother Odd is my favorite Odd book.
Mod
Mine too :-) I also like Odd Apocalypse.
Starting Odd Thomas for the second time. I can't believe I forgot about Ozzie!
I think I like the first book best. But that could change. Usually it's whatever book I am currently reading.
Karen B. wrote: "I think I like the first book best. But that could change. Usually it's whatever book I am currently reading."I'm the same way. I live in the moment.
I love the whole series but 'Saint Odd' broke my heart.
Tricia, I agree with you. But at least we knew what was coming in Saint Odd. The first time I read Odd Thomas, it broke my heart too ... when I learned that Stormy was a ghost and had been killed.
On December 18, I wrote that whatever book I am currently reading is usually the one I like best. Cancel that. Many of us have found Forever Odd to be our least favorite in the series. For me, it's more so, having re-read Odd Thomas so recently. (Never having read the two back to back so closely). The question is what is it about this book that is such a let-down? Anyone have any ideas about this one being the least liked by so many Koontz fans?
It's Odd's temperament here. He is pretty depressed.
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Well, I am anxious to give the book another try. Waiting for an audiobook. Just finished Odd Thomas and what I think is that the first book was so well executed and the loss of one of the main characters that we fell in love with are among the main reasons. Also, at the time Forever Odd was published, we didn't know this was going to be an 8 book series (counting Odd Interlude) .
(view spoiler)
I might have other ideas after I re-read the book :-)
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Karen B. wrote: "On December 18, I wrote that whatever book I am currently reading is usually the one I like best. Cancel that. Many of us have found Forever Odd to be our least favorite in the ser..."I like your thinking Dustin. But now it is still disappointing to me, a real let down after the first book. In fact, I sort of have to force myself to continue.
Well this is the last time I will read this book. I found it so depressing and I felt like slogging through the muddy tunnels myself.
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Congratulations on Finishing :-)
Thanks Dustin, that means a lot. Had this been any other author I would NOT have finished. In the other books, there is always some positive going on even as Odd approaches his great enemy. There is lightness. For example, though I haven't gotten there yet in Brother Odd, though I haven't gotten there yet, I remember we have the ghost dog, and interaction with the sister and Brother Knuckles.
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Each Odd book seems to have some light parts to it except for this one. The only thing that was light was Odd's sense of humor. Some of his comments to Datura were subtly humorous and most of the time she never got it.
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Well, from my recollections, you are correct :-) Waiting for my audiobook and then I will enter the dark tunnels myself.
I also need to check Saint Odd to refresh my mind as to how Odd died. He had a premonition in Forever Odd and I wonder if that was the way it happened.
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Dustin, are there things in the graphic novels not in the others?
Dustin it keeps telling me that the shelf was not added but I did add it. It is "Odd-challenge" without the quotes
message 23:
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Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado
(last edited Jan 09, 2016 12:37PM)
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rated it 3 stars
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It's a goodreads glitch. I have had trouble with it in the past :-)
try typing this: odd-challenge
(when you join a challenge, use all lower case even if you titled the shelf with a capital letter. For any space, use a dash - it should accept/recognize that shelf)
Mod
Yes. Different Stories. (view spoiler)
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Karen B. wrote: "Dustin it keeps telling me that the shelf was not added but I did add it. It is "Odd-challenge" without the quotes"It's a goodreads glitch. I have had trouble with it in the past..."
Yup Dustin, that did it! Thanks.
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LOL it prepares him for when he goes through tunnels later I'm laughing because going through the tunnels is what I most disliked about the book.
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Just finished Forever Odd. Many of you are rereading this series. For me, it's my first time. I love his character and I love the bits of humor in the way Koontz writes. Love this quote "The greatest gift we were given is our free will, and we keep misusing it." Odd Thomas in Forever Odd p.349
Odd gives us so many goodies. He is a great philosopher without intending to be. His humility enhances his wisdom. I think he is one of my favorite fictional characters. Okay I admit, I probably like Einstein from Watchers almost as much.
I adore Einstein! I have two Goldens at the moment. Another reason I love Koontz' books is because he almost always has a dog in his writing and in a positive way.
I think I fell in love with Koontz because Watchers was the first book I read that gave animals a "voice". Since then I have read others and I too, like Koontz's inclusion of pets. (Wish he had more smart cats though but he has a couple in his work). I am looking forward to reading Brother Odd where Odd has a dog friend.
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I loved the way Koontz did that in Dragon Tears.
I need to get this one. Thought i had it on audio but i don't.
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I got the audiobook from the library. I own the hardcover. Will be reading as soon as I finish Ashley Bell :-)
Wait are we talking about audiobook of Dragon Tears or Forever Odd? I'm getting confused....... I've finished Forever Odd in January - Dragon Tears is next on my to read list, after Ashley Bell.
Forever Odd DC, I'm rereading and on this one.
What is the "DC" part?
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I see you gave Forever Odd 5 Stars. I haven't written my review since re-reading the book, but I'm not all that impressed with the book, previously I gave it 3 stars.
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Tracy was referring to me: Dustin Crazy :-)
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Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Tracy wrote: "Forever Odd DC, I'm rereading and on this one."I see you gave Forever Odd 5 Stars. I haven't written my review since re-reading the book, but I'm not all that impressed with the boo..."
I did and when I finished this book I gave a donation to the OI foundation. Koontzgets to me that way :)
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Osteogenesis Imperfecta (I think I spelled it right). The thing that Danny had in Forever Odd.
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That is so true Dustin. I can't say I was as generous as Tracy, that is for sure but Dean has inspired and helped my own faith in my higher power and he has certainly brought out my love of dogs. I think it's because of reading his works that I am more aware of and donating to animal shelters. I think too he has helped me to be more aware and respectful of those less fortunate than myself. There is Danny's condition and then in Brother Odd we will meet some children with some serious problems. I supposed if one looks for it there is always some mention of some poor souls in any of his books. I don't remember in the first Odd book but I do remember reading and feeling bad about people hurt in Dragon Tears.
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I know someone who worked for and independent bookstore around the time 77SS was released - I think that was the one, could have been What the Night Knows. He flew a bunch of independent booksellers to California and hosted them in his home, let them pet his dog, watch a movie in his home theater etc.
Also, anyone who writes to him - he responds with a handwritten note. Dean speaks of authenticity and I appreciate that.
"Each smallest act of kindness reverberates across great distances and spans of time, affecting lives unknown to the one who whose generous spirit was the source of this good echo, because kindness is passed on and grows each time it's passed, until a simple courtesy becomes an act of selfless courage years later and far away....."
-FROM THE CORNER OF HIS EYE
Agree with both of you. Dean is unique, genuine and a wonderful person. I don't know him personally of course but I really don't think it's for show.
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I think to read a person's writing is to know them :-) Just like all you awesome people that I have met on Goodreads. I feel like I know you even though most of us have not met in person.
Maybe you are beginning to see a pattern? We will be featuring the entire Odd Thomas Series throughout the coming months. Now's a great time to jump on the bandwagon whether it's the first time along with Odd & Friends, the second or hundredth.
We will still feature other books during this time also, so watch for the poll invites to help choose group reads in addition to the Odd Thomas Series.
This is a new discussion thread for 2016, there is also an older discussion thread from 2010 when the book was last featured. You can find the old Forever Odd thread in the Odd Thomas folder on the group homepage.