Exam Review (Forever Odd)

Forever Odd by Dean Koontz



There's a guy holding a jar of peanut butter at the grocery store. There are a half a dozen registers open, with unfriendly customers waiting in line behind each one. Among the hectic environment, a barely audible, “I can help whose next,” is faintly spoken, accompanying a dimly lit, yellow colored “14” above the lane. The peanut butter guy shifts his feet nonchalantly and calmly starts for register fourteen. A middle aged woman, just coming from the vegetable section sees the open lane as well. They both arrive precisely at the same time. The peanut butter guy, without any hesitation, extends his hand to the side and smiles. The unexpected kindness catches the woman off guard. As she moves forward to checkout, her eyes relay a genuine “thank you” with a nod of her head.
Odd Thomas is like the peanut butter guy. He’s that slightly insignificant, overlooked detail that makes the world a better place.

Forever Odd is a strong story, with multi-dimensional characters, and an occasional philosophical line of dialogue that readers will feel compelled to write down or underline. Multiple times after I read something, I would grab my pen and underline what I liked right then and there. "And the road the world makes for us is one that teaches humility if we are willing to learn" (279).

I have never read anything of Dean Koontz until Odd Thomas and Forever Odd. His usage of imagery is immense and empowering. I remember most the description of a tarantula crawling up the wall. Odd stood in the middle of the room, the spider crawling directly overhead. As he turns and leaves the room, the creature releases his grip from the ceiling and free falls to the ground. Odd leaves, only to here the thud of dense, fleshy mass hit the floor. Being a writer myself, I am intrigued by Koontz ability to write so much and to have so much power in his words. His use of similies through the story made an easier job of grasping and understanding the characters feelings and/or motives.
Odd Thomas, a quick order chef at the Pico Mundo Grille, wakes up to the spirit of Dr. Jessup lingering in his bedroom. After following his psychic magnetism, his natural-born-instinct that tells him where to go, he learns that along with Dr. Jessup's death, Danny Jessup is gone. Odd and Danny had always been friends, and Danny's medical problem with brittle bones worried Odd. Odd sets out to find his friend, learning about himself throughout the journey. He eventually must confront a dark, seductive character, Datura, and her two enormous henchmen. Past the firstfights, stealthy escapes, and a new load of laundry, Odd must overcome his obstacles and release Danny. Although genuine kindness is one of Odd's good features, it can become overpowering and cause him to put himself in danger. I mean, if one was born with a special gift like seeing the dead, I presume anyone would ponder why they have that ability. There must be reason. Odd struggles with the fact that he cannot save everyone. It's simply not possible, but he will work from his core to do as much as he can.

In the first book, Odd Thomas, Stormy was introduced. She was Odd's soul mate and they loved each other deeply. At the end of the book, we learn that Stormy was killed in a public shooting. Through the story in Forever Odd, Odd has to cope and learn to live without her. Near the end of the book, Odd is slashed across the chest and almost killed. He fades in and out of death and is eventually taken into care by his good friends. He says, "Chief, I was this close to Stormy, this close to service" (351). It's a very moving part of the story; Odd truly loves Stormy, so much so that being brought back to health was a bittersweet thing. I particularly like how the police Chief replies.
I underlined it.
"Everything in its own time, to its own schedule" (351).

Readicide

The books we are required to read must be in the curriculum there for a reason, right? I think I understand the school’s intention behind teaching books like To Kill a Mockingbird and Catcher in the Rye, but I never really respected the books themselves. As a sophomore, I didn’t understand the point in reading Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Or Macbeth.
But this year, something changed.
As a senior, I highly recommend to any underclassmen to take British Literature senior year. Everything changed in that class. Everything applied. Everything was relevant. I think one of the reasons students feel uninterested or disconnected from books is because they feel like it has nothing to do with them; it doesn’t relate. How can a piece written in the 1600’s apply to the modern world? Reasonable argument. It wasn’t until this year that I felt like class books like Hamlet and Brave New World were actually real, they held significance to me. We were in tune.
Then I think about the underclassmen’s English classes. Romeo and Juliet looks at phases that a majority of adolescents go through. Independence, love, tough family life, it is meant for us to relate too. But maybe it’s not working as much as it has in the past. Students find pleasure in reading modern books so maybe the system needs to change. Why don't teachers try going 50-50 with the classics and modern literature? There's bound to be teachable moments in some of those popular books, and if students are more engaged then that would prove to be a benefit in the classroom.

"Odd Thomas" Book Review

Why I Read

I read because I like words. I like the power that words possess. I believe that writing and reading are necessary for understanding on multiple levels. They let us see from other eyes, walk in different shoes. No matter what kind of genre, books share ideas and thoughts that (I believe) can shape people. Inspiration comes from books. Connection and conversations come from books.
When one writes, they allow others to listen. I enjoy being a listener.
I think the majority of people who don't enjoy reading have a good reason why they don't like to read. Have you ever been forced to read a book for class? If you actually finished it, how much did you like that book? I remember freshman year I had to read The Color of Water. I loathed it. Not because it was a bad book, it was probably a very good book, (that's why the school makes students read it!) but because it was being forced upon me, I was immediately uninterested.
On the contrary, I read Brave New World this year in British Literature and had a completely different experience. The thought provoking topics were always floating around in my head, waiting to be discussed about in class. Its ideas shaped how I looked at situations in my everyday life.
Everyone takes something from books. Whether you agree or disagree, like or dislike, we all take something away from the experience. That is why I enjoy reading.

Adapting "Odd Thomas"

Odd's relationship with Stormy is essential to the plot.

I can picture the camera zooming in on the fortune framed on the wall: "You are destined to be together forever." I would keep Odd's visit to Burke and Bailey's. It would be up to the actors to embody the characters and portray the relationship. The simplicity that Odd and Stormy have is part of what makes them "cute." Her pink uniform, the ice cream, the dialogue. By the end, if the film didn't focus on Odd's dedication and devout love for Stormy, it would have a different feel that readers wouldn't relate too.

Odd's mother has a tremendous impact on his character.

I would have to keep the scene when Odd visits his mother. If the choice was mine, I would keep the exact language from the book. It's powerful. Odd's mother would avoid issues and problems at whatever the cost, and how she went about in doing so, scarred Odd.

 "Like an undulant ribbon of smoke, as insubstantial as fumes but not translucent, ink-black, the bodach entered."

Bodachs serve a special purpose in Odd Thomas. Leaving them out would leave a gap in the story. The mysterious nature of bodachs creates an insecurity and unsteadiness that, I feel, is important. Although it would be hard to create them on the movie screen with animations and computer graphics. The way they are defined in the book is unique and if the film's adaptation were to influence the readers perspective then I would not be happy with that.

Early in the book when Odd enters Fungus Man's apartment, he finds the black room and experiences slight time travel. As a director I would have to consider the necessity of that scene in a film production. What's interesting about the room scene, is that it's not referenced or explained later in the book at all. Although, if it's re-examined in the later books (Forever Odd, Brother Odd, or Odd Hours) it would need to be in the movie. Reading a book and then having the movie leave parts out is disappointing for a reader. That's a trouble I would have to face if I cut that scene.

Book 1 Project: Looking for Alaska

In John Green's, Looking for Alaska, the popular "bufriedo" creates an identity and uniqueness about Culver Creek. The famous cafeteria special is seen throughout the story, but what if there was a place you could get your hands on a tangible bufriedo and actually sink your teeth into one?

John Green is an avid vlogger, through which, he keeps in touch with his fans. The core of this communication is the internet. Fans love this communication, its an obvious fact. But this world is becoming too dependant on electronics, rather than the more personal face-to-face relationships. I propose the idea of constructing a "shack-like-restaurant" which is known for its delicious creation of the bufriedo. Established in Alabama (although Culver Creek is fictional, Alabama is not), it would attract John Green fans from all around. The Bufriedo Shack would also sell Green's products. Books, bufriedos, bracelets inscribed with quotes, and notebooks for aspiring writers.
Bringing bufriedos to life would give readers (and eaters!) an opportunity to interact with people who have similar interests, in a face to face way. Bufriedo Shack would create an environment for both fans and those who don't like reading or are just unaware of Green's writing. In the long run, it would create more publicity and increase popularity.
The Bufriedo Shack is a simple building. You don't even have to go inside to get your food (1)! If you choose to go inside, first you will notice the merchandise and accessories for sale (2). Continuing down the hallway is the discussion area in which readers can talk with other fans (3). Continue a little father and you'll enter a room that has a quiet, coffee house feel to it. There, anyone can sit down and read and take notice of the fan wall. As a new roadtrip destination for teens, this wall records pictures or fans and states where their from (4).

Post Two: Define "Book"

A book is generally recognized as a written piece, printed and bound together on paper.
It's tradition.
When I read a book, or any text for that matter, my purpose is mostly for the words. Ideas, beliefs, and stories are proposed for the reader to weigh and consider through text.
I don't think one can argue that and e-book is not a book. "Book" is 80% of it's name. But, it lacks something that a paperback possesses.
Consider this. Two teachers, teaching the same subject. One of them teaches monotone, right from the textbook, and wears the same color shirt every day. The other teacher uses visual, hands-on examples, has energy in the classroom, and a striking wardrobe. They both teach the same subject, just in different ways.
I prefer a tangible, book that can get torn up and wrinkled. It helps me connect with the writer.
Either way, and e-book is still a book.