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Thursday, April 28, 2011

Character Connection: Odd from the Odd Thomas series

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“The dead don’t talk. I don’t know why.” But they do try to communicate, with a short-order cook in a small desert town serving as their reluctant confidant. Odd Thomas thinks of himself as an ordinary guy, if possessed of a certain measure of talent at the Pico Mundo Grill and rapturously in love with the most beautiful girl in the world, Stormy Llewellyn. Maybe he has a gift, maybe it’s a curse, Odd has never been sure, but he tries to do his best by the silent souls who seek him out. Synopsis of Odd Thomas



Yes, his name really is Odd, Odd Thomas. And if you're thinking: oh, I don't like mysteries, or adult paranormal, or Dean Koontz novels, well think again! You'll love Odd as much as me.

Odd, sees the dead, thus, the paranormal element, but what makes Odd truly unique and lovable is his humility and innocence and just plain goodness. He's polite, always saying mam and sir. He always makes the right decision even though he may not think so. (there's that humility thing again)  He goes out of his way to help anyone, even complete strangers; even complete "dead" strangers. He's funny and sweet and passionately loyal.

I beg you, no dare you, even challenge you to read the Odd Thomas series and not come away desperately enamored with Odd. You may not like the storyline. You may think it's a bit too dark or creepy for your taste but I guarantee you you'll love Odd.

Alas, I have such a hard time expressing my feelings sometimes. If you want a better taste of Odd's character you can click over to this amusing interview between him and the author. Or you can get a real feel for him in his own words here. You won't be sorry you clicked on either of these links.



So, have I convinced you to read the series yet? Have you read the series? Do you feel the beginnings of a character crush? I hope so.

7 comments:

  1. Yes. No. Yes. :) But when am I going to fit this one in?

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  2. +JMJ+

    I think I've had a character crush on Odd for some time . . . and I haven't even read a single Odd Thomas novel! There's just something about his personality that radiates past even the closed cover of the copies I keep picking up and putting back on the shelves. Perhaps it's because he doesn't know whether what he has is a gift or a curse, but always doggedly tries to do his best?

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  3. I am terrible at remembering much about books that I have read after any length of time but I do remember that I liked the writing in these books. You could be reading a rather disturbing part and find yourself giggling at something Odd says when you are supposed to be horrified. I liked that the author interviewed his character. Again, I just loved the writing in these books. P.S. I have been reading your blog trying to figure out the type of men you like so I can set you up and so far I have: smoldering eyes, ripped abs, and now, humble and lovable, but does he need to be able to make the fluffiest pancakes ever? 'Cause every time I make pancakes I wonder how Odd's could really be that good and so light and fluffy.

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  4. You've convinced me! You know I like a mystery and Odd sounds very intriguing. Also glad it's not YA. :)

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  5. Suey, I totally understand but it's worth it.

    Enbrethiliel, Well, you'll never know if it's true love and less you give it a try. ;)

    Adams family, Yeah if you could just get me a man with all those qualities plus a sarcastic sense of humor...you might just turn out to be my favorite sister.

    Kim, I would definitely recommend these to you since you like mystery, and besides being a little creepy sometimes I think they're fairly clean.

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  6. I already have a crush on Odd, so I approve of your choice! There's a web series/show that I found on YouTube based on Odd that I keep meaning to watch but I haven't yet. I love him more and more as the series goes on and desperately hope that everything works out well for him in the end. Have you read the graphic novels? My library doesn't have them but I am curious to know what they're like.

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  7. IntrovertedJen, I've seen some of the web series and it's okay, I prefer the books, but the guy playing Odd does a good job. They're making a movie I've heard but it's probably a long ways off. I haven't read the graphic novels yet but if Koontz keeps taking forever with the next book I might have to just to tide me over!

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