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100%: Dean Koontz (Autor): Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Series #3) (ISBN: 9780553804805) 2006, in Englisch, Broschiert.Nur diese Ausgabe anzeigen…
100%: Koontz, Dean R.: Brother Odd: An Odd Thomas Novel (ISBN: 9780345533029) 2012, in Englisch, Taschenbuch.Nur diese Ausgabe anzeigen…
100%: Dean Koontz: Brother Odd (ISBN: 9780307414236) 2007, in Englisch, auch als eBook.Nur diese Ausgabe anzeigen…
65%: Dean R Koontz: Saint Odd, An Odd Thomas Novel (ISBN: 9780345545886) 2015, in Englisch, auch als eBook.Nur diese Ausgabe anzeigen…
55%: Koontz, Dean R.: Deeply Odd: An Odd Thomas Novel (ISBN: 9780553593082) 2014, in Englisch.Nur diese Ausgabe anzeigen…
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Brother Odd: An Odd Thomas Novel (2006)
EN HC USISBN: 9780553804805 bzw. 0553804804, in Englisch, BANTAM DELL, gebundenes Buch, gebraucht.
Von Privat, Gabriels Bücherkiste, [4847465].
Zustand: sehr gutRarely has a character been so instantly embraced by readers as Koontz's unlikely hero, Odd Thomas, the wise and gentle fry cook, who just happens to see dead people. It is just as rare for a narrator to so perfectly capture the essence of a character that it is hard to imagine anyone else giving him voice, but such is the case with Baker. In this third adventure, Odd has left his hometown and taken up residence in a monastery high in the Sierras. Surrounded by loving but eccentric brothers and sisters, Odd hopes to rest and recover from the horrific events of the last two books. But after he discovers the body of one of the monastery brothers, Odd finds himself going up against a supernatural force that threatens the lives of everyone who lives within the monastery walls. Baker beautifully interprets the first-person narration. Like Odd himself, Baker's delivery is mellow and low key, perfectly fitting Odd's calm, self-possessed point of view. Suspenseful, funny and heartbreakingly sweet, this is a fine, enjoyable production. The third adventure of Odd Thomas, the boy (well, he's 21, but still . . .) who sees ghosts, has a lighter feel to it than the gruelingly suspenseful Forever Odd(2005) and the funny and moving Odd Thomas (2003). It's reminiscent of a sunny monster-movie sequel--say, Son of Frankenstein--in which stock characters do their shtick with a wink and a nod: "Dontcha just love us?" In this case, yes, we do. Odd has retreated to a monastery in the Sierra Nevadas that permanently hosts a billionaire physicist in an underground lab. The mogul has given his entire fortune to support the monastery and attached convent in their work of housing and educating severely damaged children, the most interesting of which is now a 25-year-old artistic savant. As the story opens, bodachs--animated shadows that gather in anticipation of lethal violence, which only Odd among the living sees--are invading the children's quarters. Can Odd mitigate the coming cataclysm? Of course he can, despite the arrival of murderous bone creatures and grim Death itself, for the monks include quite a contingent of reformed martial sinners, most memorably Brother Knuckles, formerly of the New Jersey Mob, and another guest, a mysterious Russian librarian from Indianapolis, who is more and different than Odd thinks he is. Koontz salts Odd's narration with some wonderful zingers at the expense of cultural degeneracy and political folly. A darned good time should be had by all readers.PressestimmenThe final chapter of Brother Odd is delightful and makes a promise to readers that Odd will return. Hooray.Sacramento BeeSupernatural thrills with a side of laughs . . . Odd Thomass latest adventure will make a believer out of even the hardest-nosed soul. Denver PostThe nice young fry cook with the occult powers is Koontzs most likeable creation.The New York TimesOdd's strange gifts, coupled with his intelligence and self-effacing humor, make him one of the most quietly authoritative characters in recent popular fiction."Publishers Weekly, starred reviewOdd Thomas [is] exactly the kind of hero thats needed.South Florida Sun-SentinelOdd Thomas is another name for courage, truth, and devotion to your fellow man. Baton Rouge AdvocateThrilling . . . Koontz marvelously sets the scene in the heart-stopping first chapter. Both exciting and engagingand with its heart in the right place. Kirkus Reviews, starred review Pressestimmen'Sensitively written, the plotting deft, the characters well thought out ! fantastically readable' SFX 'A great read' News of the World Praise for the Odd Thomas series: 'The result is a blend of humour, humanity and horror, the classic Koontz concoction' The Times 'Odd Thomas is a superb character' Independent Praise for Dean Koontz: 'Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler' The Times KurzbeschreibungNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Loop me in, odd one. The words, spoken in the deep of night by a sleeping child, chill the young man watching over her. For this was a favorite phrase of Stormy Llewellyn, his lost love. In the haunted halls of the isolated monastery where he had sought peace, Odd Thomas is stalking spirits of an infinitely darker nature. As he steadfastly journeys toward his mysterious destiny, Odd Thomas has established himself as one of the most beloved and unique fictional heroes of our time. Now, wielding all the power and magic of a master storyteller at the pinnacle of his craft, Dean Koontz follows Odd into a singular new world where he hopes to make a fresh beginningbut where he will meet an adversary as old and inexorable as time itself.SynopsisOdd Thomas is looking for peace. But in the silence and snow of the mountains, danger and desperation haunt him still ! By popular demand, the story of the life and times of Odd Thomas continues. To escape the haunting memories of his lost soul-mate Stormy Llewellyn, Odd has retreated to a monastry in the High Sierra. It's December. Icy winds and deep snow besiege the remote abbey, a contrast to the sunbleached desert town of Pico Mundo where Odd was born. A white dog named Boo befriends Odd. The King of Rock 'n' Roll has followed him there and silently serenades man and dog. But Elvis isn't the most spooky phenomenon in the place. Odd is one of four guests there. Another is John Heineman, world-famous physicist, who years earlier left the secular world because he found the nature of reality, as quantum mechanics reveals it, so very weird. But Heineman continues his physics experiments down in the catacombs of the facility. Added to this, those shadowy harbingers of extreme violence, bodachs, are prowling the halls. Only Odd can see them. Only he knows what their presence means.Odd has a knack for finding himself in the path of trouble no matter where he goes, even among the eccentric monks in their sanctuary ! where Odd is about to encounter an enemy that eclipses any he has yet known. Über den Autor und weitere MitwirkendeDean Koontz, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives with his wife, Gerda, and the enduring spirit of their golden retriever, Trixie, in southern California.Leseprobe. Abdruck erfolgt mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Rechteinhaber. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.Chapter OneEmbraced by stone, steeped in silence, i sat at the high window as the third day of the week surrendered to the fourth. The river of night rolled on, indifferent to the calendar.I hoped to witness that magical moment when the snow began to fall in earnest. Earlier the sky had shed a few flakes, then nothing more. The pending storm would not be rushed.The room was illuminated only by a fat candle in an amber glass on the corner desk. Each time a draft found the flame, melting light buttered the limestone walls and waves of fluid shadows oiled the corners.Most nights, I find lamplight too bright. And when Im writing, the only glow is the computer screen, dialed down to gray text on a navy-blue field.Without a silvering of light, the window did not reflect my face. I had a clear view of the night beyond the panes.Living in a monastery, even as a guest rather than as a monk, you have more opportunities than you might have elsewhere to see the world as it is, instead of through the shadow that you cast upon it.St. Bartholomews Abbey was surrounded by the vastness of the Sierra Nevada, on the California side of the border. The primeval forests that clothed the rising slopes were themselves cloaked in darkness.From this third-floor window, I could see only part of the deep front yard and the blacktop lane that cleaved it. Four low lampposts with bell-shaped caps focused light in round pale pools.The guesthouse is in the northwest wing of the abbey. The ground floor features parlors. Private rooms occupy the higher and the highest floors.As I watched in anticipation of the storm, a whiteness that was not snow drifted across the yard, out of darkness, into lamplight.The abbey has one dog, a 110-pound German-shepherd mix, perhaps part Labrador retriever. He is entirely white and moves with the grace of fog. His name is Boo.My name is Odd Thomas. My dysfunctional parents claim a mistake was made on the birth certificate, that Todd was the wanted name. Yet they have never called me Todd.In twenty-one years, I have not considered changing to Todd. The bizarre course of my life suggests that Odd is more suited to me, whether it was conferred by my parents with intention or by fate.Below, Boo stopped in the middle of the pavement and gazed along the lane as it dwindled and descended into darkness.Mountains are not entirely slopes. Sometimes the rising land takes a rest. The abbey stands on a high meadow, facing north.Judging by his pricked ears and lifted head, Boo perceived a visitor approaching. He held his tail low.I could not discern the state of his hackles, but his tense posture suggested that they were raised.From dusk the driveway lamps burn until dawn ascends. The monks of St. Barts believe that night visitors, no matter how seldom they come,must be welcomed with light.The dog stood motionless for a while, then shifted his attention toward the lawn to the right of the blacktop. His head lowered. His ears flattened against his skull.For a moment, I could not see the cause of Boos alarm. Then . . . into view came a shape as elusive as a night shadow floating across black water. The figure passed near enough to one of the lampposts to be briefly revealed.Even in daylight, this was a visitor of whom only the dog and I could have been aware.I see dead people, spirits of the departed who, each for his own reason, will not move on from this world. Some are drawn to me for justice, if they were murdered, or for comfort, or for companionship others seek me out for motives that I cannot always understand.This complicates my life. I am not asking for your sympathy. We all have our problems, and yours seem as important to you as mine seem to me.Perhaps you have a ninety-minute commute every morning, on freeways clogged with traffic, your progress hampered by impatient and incompetent motorists, some of them angry specimens with middle fingers muscular from frequent use. Imagine, however, how much more stressful your morning might be if in the passenger seat was a young man with a ghastly ax wound in his head and if in the backseat an elderly woman, strangled by her husband, sat pop-eyed and purple-faced.The dead dont talk. I dont know why. And an ax-chopped spirit will not bleed on your upholstery.Nevertheless, an entourage of the recently dead is disconcerting and generally not conducive to an upbeat mood.The visitor on the lawn was not an ordinary ghost, maybe not a ghost at all. In addition to the lingering spirits of the dead, I see one other kind of supernatural entity. I call them bodachs.They are ink-black, fluid in shape, with no more substance than shadows. Soundless, as big as an average man, they frequently slink like cats, low to the ground.The one on the abbey lawn moved upright: black and featureless, yet suggestive of something half man, half wolf. Sleek, sinuous, and sinister.The grass was not disturbed by its passage. Had it been crossing water, it would not have left a single ripple in its wake.In the folklore of the British Isles, a bodach is a vile beast that slithers down chimneys at night and carries off children who misbehave. Rather like Inland Revenue agents.What I see are neither bodachs nor tax collectors. They carry away neither misbehaving children nor adult miscreants. But I have seen them enter houses by chimneysby keyholes, chinks in window frames, as protean as smokeand I have no better name for them.Their infrequent appearance is always reason for alarm. These creatures seem to be spiritual vampires with knowledge of the future. They are drawn to places where violence or fiery catastrophe is destined to erupt, as if they feed on human suffering.Although he was a brave dog, with good reason to be brave, Boo shrank from the passing apparition. His black lips peeled back from his white fangs.The phantom paused as if to taunt the dog. Bodachs seem to know that some animals can see them.I dont think they know that I can see them, too. If they did know, I believe that they would show me less mercy than mad mullahs show their victims when in a mood to behead and dismember.At the sight of this one, my first impulse was to shrink from the window and seek communion with the dust bunnies under my bed. My second impulse was to pee.Resisting both cowardice and the call of the bladder, I raced from my quarters into the hallway. The third floor of the guesthouse offers two small suites. The other currently had no occupant.On the second floor, the glowering Russian was no doubt scowling in his sleep. The solid construction of the abbey would not translate my footfalls into his dreams.The guesthouse has an enclosed spiral staircase, stone walls encircling granite steps. The treads alternate between black and white, making me think of harlequins and piano keys, and of a treacly old song by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.Although stone stairs are unforgiving and the black-and-white pattern can be disorienting, I plunged toward the ground floor, risking damage to the granite if I fell and struck it with my head.Sixteen months ago, I lost what was most precious to me and found my world in ruins nevertheless, I am not usually reckless. I have less to live for than I once did, but my life still has purpose, and I struggle to find meaning in the days.Leaving the stairs in the condition that I found them, I hurried across the main parlor, where only a night lamp with a beaded shade relieved the gloom. I pushed through a heavy oak door with a stained-glass window, and saw my breath plume before me in the winter... Rezensionen:Dean Koontz is one of my favorite writers. He has been writing novels for longer than I've been alive (and I'm approaching middle age!). I've read most of Koontz's fifty plus novels, and I'm happy to say that BROTHER ODD is definitely one of the better ones.BROTHER ODD is the third in a series of novels featuring the character of Odd Thomas, who Koontz introduced to the world in 2003. Many Koontz fans consider the first ODD THOMAS novel to be one of Koontz's best books, perhaps rivaled only by WATCHERS, his 1980s classic.I personally agree with this assessment. The first ODD THOMAS was a true masterpiece of popular fiction. It is a remarkably well done novel with a highly imaginative plot and fully-drawn characters. Odd Thomas, the title character, is a enormously likable young man from the small town of Pico Mundo who has the uncanny power to see the lingering dead. He is probably my favorite Koontz character of all time. If you have not read ODD THOMAS, I strongly recommend that you give it a try Koontz has received more reader mail about that book than any other novel in his forty year writing career.Due to the overwhelming popularity of ODD THOMAS, Koontz released a lackluster sequel, FOREVER ODD in 2005. That sequel is considered a major disappointment by most fans, lacking the fine characterization and strong plotline of the first book. I personally found it to be Koontz's worst novel in several years. Needless to say, after reading FOREVER ODD, I was not thrilled to learn that Koontz was planning a third entry in the series.However, I was pleasantly surprised by BROTHER ODD. This novel is a major return to form for Koontz, and is very similar in tone to the first ODD THOMAS novel. I won't rehash the plot, but it involves Odd retreating to a monastery in response to the events of earlier books. This novel has a much stronger plot than FOREVER ODD, and Koontz has wisely decided to spend more time on creating a brand new set of likable and interesting characters. I found this novel to be a pleasure to read. I especially enjoyed the funny and clever dialogue scenes between Odd and the other (highly eccentric) occupants of the monastery.This novel isn't perfect, however. My major quibble with BROTHER ODD is that it's far too short. BROTHER ODD had a bit of a rushed quality that I found unfortunate. There are a lot of very interesting characters in this novel, but some of them only last for a few pages or so. Koontz writes two or three books a year now, and as a result his novels are dramatically slimmer than they used to be. A shorter length is fine for a fast-paced suspense novel like VELOCITY or THE HUSBAND but I think the Odd Thomas books should be longer to allow more room for character growth and development. If Koontz had spent a few more months on this novel, he could have produced another masterpiece in my opinion.Overall though, BROTHER ODD is a winner. If you read and enjoyed the first ODD THOMAS, you should enjoy this third entry. Highly recommended.===I never, ever read a Dean Koontz novel in my life until a few weeks ago when I stumbled across a review of the first 'Odd Thomas' book. I have now read all three of them and I can say that I have never read a series of books with a recurring character that I have enjoyed this much. I hope and pray that there will be MORE!!!!Odd Thomas is one of the most loveable, humble, engaging and endearing "people" I know....even if he does see ghosts and is only a lowly fry cook! I came away from the series feeling as if I'd made a quirky, sweet, new friend. The scenes with the ghost of Elvis are both bittersweet, heart-rending and funny as hell.When I finished this book, I was crying my eyes out and my husband walked in shaking his head and said, "I don't think I've ever seen a person crying over a Dean Koontz novel!" I won't give away what made me cry, but it was joyous, poignant, moving and heartrending. I read it again later and cried again.This is a fabulous, different, enjoyable series and a must-read if you like fabulous characters.===_Brother Odd_ leaves me with no doubt that the Master of Story-Telling is back, and in rare form!I really enjoyed the first in the ODD series, _Odd Thomas_, finished it at 3 am because I couldn't put it down. Being a long-time Koontz fan, I bought _Forever Odd_ the first day. I could not believe the difference in the books. I had to struggle to continue with the second book, it had such a forced feeling about it.Now this one, Brother Odd, brings back all my faith in story-telling. The characters are very well-drawn, despite the "supernatural" elements. Odd is a believable sort of guy in this one, even without having the protection of all his hometown buddies. His feelings are real, the journey keeps its ups and downs, suspense, chase scenes, it's got them all. My only regret is that I finished it already. I want to read more.This is the type of Koontz book that I know and love. I put it up there with Whispers, Strangers and Lightning, which are my all-time favorites.You gotta buy this one -- IT'S A KEEPER!!!===Odd Thomas is one of those characters you can't forget. I discovered him in the quirky, touching, and sometimes chilling "Odd Thomas." I met him again in the darker, less heartfelt "Forever Odd." When I saw the dramatically colored cover of "Brother Odd," however, I was worried that Koontz would take our literary hero into the land of the ludicrous. I picked up the book with a fair share of concern."Brother Odd" finds Odd in a new location, seeking solitude and rejuvenation at a monastery in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. This isolated spot gives the story more tension, throwing a bunch of monks and nuns and needy children into a pressure-cooker situation. Odd knows there is trouble brewing again, trouble of a kind only he can see, when he detects evil entities stalking the children. With typical Koontz style, the story unfolds with lots of literary wordplay and Odd Thomas humor. The supporting cast does its job, although the heavy-handed attempt to make Mr. Romanovich seem menacing is just that--heavy-handed, and a bit too misleading.In the end, Odd Thomas and his band of merry monks and nuns must face the nameless evil that lurks in the blizzards and mountains, and in so doing, Odd confronts his own guilt, while freeing others (such as the spirit of Elvis Presley) from theirs. Koontz's worldview becomes more thought-provoking as his novels come along, and Odd Thomas is the perfect foil for those views--humble, gifted, and a bit odd. In conclusion, this story expresses thoughts about science and creation and God that are intriguing, uplifting, and cautionary--but also preachy, when serving as a denounement to a fast-paced thriller.With sardonic wit and pokes at our modern culture, Koontz is a writer I'll keep coming back to. He may be too pedantic for some, but at least he has something to say--and he's not afraid to say it. I'll be waiting anxiously for his next, "The Good Guy."------------------Nichtraucherhaushalt - Originalfoto.Verpackung sicher und stabil in Luftpolster-Versandtasche. Der Versand erfolgt meistens am Tag des Geldeinganges.Sofort lieferbar. Nichtraucherwohnung. Ich biete weitere Bücher an. Bitte schauen Sie mal auch auf meine anderen Angebote. Sammeln lohnt sich, denn dadurch wird das Porto günstiger.Privatverkauf: keine Rücknahme und Garantie, Hardcover.
Zustand: sehr gutRarely has a character been so instantly embraced by readers as Koontz's unlikely hero, Odd Thomas, the wise and gentle fry cook, who just happens to see dead people. It is just as rare for a narrator to so perfectly capture the essence of a character that it is hard to imagine anyone else giving him voice, but such is the case with Baker. In this third adventure, Odd has left his hometown and taken up residence in a monastery high in the Sierras. Surrounded by loving but eccentric brothers and sisters, Odd hopes to rest and recover from the horrific events of the last two books. But after he discovers the body of one of the monastery brothers, Odd finds himself going up against a supernatural force that threatens the lives of everyone who lives within the monastery walls. Baker beautifully interprets the first-person narration. Like Odd himself, Baker's delivery is mellow and low key, perfectly fitting Odd's calm, self-possessed point of view. Suspenseful, funny and heartbreakingly sweet, this is a fine, enjoyable production. The third adventure of Odd Thomas, the boy (well, he's 21, but still . . .) who sees ghosts, has a lighter feel to it than the gruelingly suspenseful Forever Odd(2005) and the funny and moving Odd Thomas (2003). It's reminiscent of a sunny monster-movie sequel--say, Son of Frankenstein--in which stock characters do their shtick with a wink and a nod: "Dontcha just love us?" In this case, yes, we do. Odd has retreated to a monastery in the Sierra Nevadas that permanently hosts a billionaire physicist in an underground lab. The mogul has given his entire fortune to support the monastery and attached convent in their work of housing and educating severely damaged children, the most interesting of which is now a 25-year-old artistic savant. As the story opens, bodachs--animated shadows that gather in anticipation of lethal violence, which only Odd among the living sees--are invading the children's quarters. Can Odd mitigate the coming cataclysm? Of course he can, despite the arrival of murderous bone creatures and grim Death itself, for the monks include quite a contingent of reformed martial sinners, most memorably Brother Knuckles, formerly of the New Jersey Mob, and another guest, a mysterious Russian librarian from Indianapolis, who is more and different than Odd thinks he is. Koontz salts Odd's narration with some wonderful zingers at the expense of cultural degeneracy and political folly. A darned good time should be had by all readers.PressestimmenThe final chapter of Brother Odd is delightful and makes a promise to readers that Odd will return. Hooray.Sacramento BeeSupernatural thrills with a side of laughs . . . Odd Thomass latest adventure will make a believer out of even the hardest-nosed soul. Denver PostThe nice young fry cook with the occult powers is Koontzs most likeable creation.The New York TimesOdd's strange gifts, coupled with his intelligence and self-effacing humor, make him one of the most quietly authoritative characters in recent popular fiction."Publishers Weekly, starred reviewOdd Thomas [is] exactly the kind of hero thats needed.South Florida Sun-SentinelOdd Thomas is another name for courage, truth, and devotion to your fellow man. Baton Rouge AdvocateThrilling . . . Koontz marvelously sets the scene in the heart-stopping first chapter. Both exciting and engagingand with its heart in the right place. Kirkus Reviews, starred review Pressestimmen'Sensitively written, the plotting deft, the characters well thought out ! fantastically readable' SFX 'A great read' News of the World Praise for the Odd Thomas series: 'The result is a blend of humour, humanity and horror, the classic Koontz concoction' The Times 'Odd Thomas is a superb character' Independent Praise for Dean Koontz: 'Dean Koontz is not just a master of our darkest dreams, but also a literary juggler' The Times KurzbeschreibungNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Loop me in, odd one. The words, spoken in the deep of night by a sleeping child, chill the young man watching over her. For this was a favorite phrase of Stormy Llewellyn, his lost love. In the haunted halls of the isolated monastery where he had sought peace, Odd Thomas is stalking spirits of an infinitely darker nature. As he steadfastly journeys toward his mysterious destiny, Odd Thomas has established himself as one of the most beloved and unique fictional heroes of our time. Now, wielding all the power and magic of a master storyteller at the pinnacle of his craft, Dean Koontz follows Odd into a singular new world where he hopes to make a fresh beginningbut where he will meet an adversary as old and inexorable as time itself.SynopsisOdd Thomas is looking for peace. But in the silence and snow of the mountains, danger and desperation haunt him still ! By popular demand, the story of the life and times of Odd Thomas continues. To escape the haunting memories of his lost soul-mate Stormy Llewellyn, Odd has retreated to a monastry in the High Sierra. It's December. Icy winds and deep snow besiege the remote abbey, a contrast to the sunbleached desert town of Pico Mundo where Odd was born. A white dog named Boo befriends Odd. The King of Rock 'n' Roll has followed him there and silently serenades man and dog. But Elvis isn't the most spooky phenomenon in the place. Odd is one of four guests there. Another is John Heineman, world-famous physicist, who years earlier left the secular world because he found the nature of reality, as quantum mechanics reveals it, so very weird. But Heineman continues his physics experiments down in the catacombs of the facility. Added to this, those shadowy harbingers of extreme violence, bodachs, are prowling the halls. Only Odd can see them. Only he knows what their presence means.Odd has a knack for finding himself in the path of trouble no matter where he goes, even among the eccentric monks in their sanctuary ! where Odd is about to encounter an enemy that eclipses any he has yet known. Über den Autor und weitere MitwirkendeDean Koontz, the author of many #1 New York Times bestsellers, lives with his wife, Gerda, and the enduring spirit of their golden retriever, Trixie, in southern California.Leseprobe. Abdruck erfolgt mit freundlicher Genehmigung der Rechteinhaber. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.Chapter OneEmbraced by stone, steeped in silence, i sat at the high window as the third day of the week surrendered to the fourth. The river of night rolled on, indifferent to the calendar.I hoped to witness that magical moment when the snow began to fall in earnest. Earlier the sky had shed a few flakes, then nothing more. The pending storm would not be rushed.The room was illuminated only by a fat candle in an amber glass on the corner desk. Each time a draft found the flame, melting light buttered the limestone walls and waves of fluid shadows oiled the corners.Most nights, I find lamplight too bright. And when Im writing, the only glow is the computer screen, dialed down to gray text on a navy-blue field.Without a silvering of light, the window did not reflect my face. I had a clear view of the night beyond the panes.Living in a monastery, even as a guest rather than as a monk, you have more opportunities than you might have elsewhere to see the world as it is, instead of through the shadow that you cast upon it.St. Bartholomews Abbey was surrounded by the vastness of the Sierra Nevada, on the California side of the border. The primeval forests that clothed the rising slopes were themselves cloaked in darkness.From this third-floor window, I could see only part of the deep front yard and the blacktop lane that cleaved it. Four low lampposts with bell-shaped caps focused light in round pale pools.The guesthouse is in the northwest wing of the abbey. The ground floor features parlors. Private rooms occupy the higher and the highest floors.As I watched in anticipation of the storm, a whiteness that was not snow drifted across the yard, out of darkness, into lamplight.The abbey has one dog, a 110-pound German-shepherd mix, perhaps part Labrador retriever. He is entirely white and moves with the grace of fog. His name is Boo.My name is Odd Thomas. My dysfunctional parents claim a mistake was made on the birth certificate, that Todd was the wanted name. Yet they have never called me Todd.In twenty-one years, I have not considered changing to Todd. The bizarre course of my life suggests that Odd is more suited to me, whether it was conferred by my parents with intention or by fate.Below, Boo stopped in the middle of the pavement and gazed along the lane as it dwindled and descended into darkness.Mountains are not entirely slopes. Sometimes the rising land takes a rest. The abbey stands on a high meadow, facing north.Judging by his pricked ears and lifted head, Boo perceived a visitor approaching. He held his tail low.I could not discern the state of his hackles, but his tense posture suggested that they were raised.From dusk the driveway lamps burn until dawn ascends. The monks of St. Barts believe that night visitors, no matter how seldom they come,must be welcomed with light.The dog stood motionless for a while, then shifted his attention toward the lawn to the right of the blacktop. His head lowered. His ears flattened against his skull.For a moment, I could not see the cause of Boos alarm. Then . . . into view came a shape as elusive as a night shadow floating across black water. The figure passed near enough to one of the lampposts to be briefly revealed.Even in daylight, this was a visitor of whom only the dog and I could have been aware.I see dead people, spirits of the departed who, each for his own reason, will not move on from this world. Some are drawn to me for justice, if they were murdered, or for comfort, or for companionship others seek me out for motives that I cannot always understand.This complicates my life. I am not asking for your sympathy. We all have our problems, and yours seem as important to you as mine seem to me.Perhaps you have a ninety-minute commute every morning, on freeways clogged with traffic, your progress hampered by impatient and incompetent motorists, some of them angry specimens with middle fingers muscular from frequent use. Imagine, however, how much more stressful your morning might be if in the passenger seat was a young man with a ghastly ax wound in his head and if in the backseat an elderly woman, strangled by her husband, sat pop-eyed and purple-faced.The dead dont talk. I dont know why. And an ax-chopped spirit will not bleed on your upholstery.Nevertheless, an entourage of the recently dead is disconcerting and generally not conducive to an upbeat mood.The visitor on the lawn was not an ordinary ghost, maybe not a ghost at all. In addition to the lingering spirits of the dead, I see one other kind of supernatural entity. I call them bodachs.They are ink-black, fluid in shape, with no more substance than shadows. Soundless, as big as an average man, they frequently slink like cats, low to the ground.The one on the abbey lawn moved upright: black and featureless, yet suggestive of something half man, half wolf. Sleek, sinuous, and sinister.The grass was not disturbed by its passage. Had it been crossing water, it would not have left a single ripple in its wake.In the folklore of the British Isles, a bodach is a vile beast that slithers down chimneys at night and carries off children who misbehave. Rather like Inland Revenue agents.What I see are neither bodachs nor tax collectors. They carry away neither misbehaving children nor adult miscreants. But I have seen them enter houses by chimneysby keyholes, chinks in window frames, as protean as smokeand I have no better name for them.Their infrequent appearance is always reason for alarm. These creatures seem to be spiritual vampires with knowledge of the future. They are drawn to places where violence or fiery catastrophe is destined to erupt, as if they feed on human suffering.Although he was a brave dog, with good reason to be brave, Boo shrank from the passing apparition. His black lips peeled back from his white fangs.The phantom paused as if to taunt the dog. Bodachs seem to know that some animals can see them.I dont think they know that I can see them, too. If they did know, I believe that they would show me less mercy than mad mullahs show their victims when in a mood to behead and dismember.At the sight of this one, my first impulse was to shrink from the window and seek communion with the dust bunnies under my bed. My second impulse was to pee.Resisting both cowardice and the call of the bladder, I raced from my quarters into the hallway. The third floor of the guesthouse offers two small suites. The other currently had no occupant.On the second floor, the glowering Russian was no doubt scowling in his sleep. The solid construction of the abbey would not translate my footfalls into his dreams.The guesthouse has an enclosed spiral staircase, stone walls encircling granite steps. The treads alternate between black and white, making me think of harlequins and piano keys, and of a treacly old song by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder.Although stone stairs are unforgiving and the black-and-white pattern can be disorienting, I plunged toward the ground floor, risking damage to the granite if I fell and struck it with my head.Sixteen months ago, I lost what was most precious to me and found my world in ruins nevertheless, I am not usually reckless. I have less to live for than I once did, but my life still has purpose, and I struggle to find meaning in the days.Leaving the stairs in the condition that I found them, I hurried across the main parlor, where only a night lamp with a beaded shade relieved the gloom. I pushed through a heavy oak door with a stained-glass window, and saw my breath plume before me in the winter... Rezensionen:Dean Koontz is one of my favorite writers. He has been writing novels for longer than I've been alive (and I'm approaching middle age!). I've read most of Koontz's fifty plus novels, and I'm happy to say that BROTHER ODD is definitely one of the better ones.BROTHER ODD is the third in a series of novels featuring the character of Odd Thomas, who Koontz introduced to the world in 2003. Many Koontz fans consider the first ODD THOMAS novel to be one of Koontz's best books, perhaps rivaled only by WATCHERS, his 1980s classic.I personally agree with this assessment. The first ODD THOMAS was a true masterpiece of popular fiction. It is a remarkably well done novel with a highly imaginative plot and fully-drawn characters. Odd Thomas, the title character, is a enormously likable young man from the small town of Pico Mundo who has the uncanny power to see the lingering dead. He is probably my favorite Koontz character of all time. If you have not read ODD THOMAS, I strongly recommend that you give it a try Koontz has received more reader mail about that book than any other novel in his forty year writing career.Due to the overwhelming popularity of ODD THOMAS, Koontz released a lackluster sequel, FOREVER ODD in 2005. That sequel is considered a major disappointment by most fans, lacking the fine characterization and strong plotline of the first book. I personally found it to be Koontz's worst novel in several years. Needless to say, after reading FOREVER ODD, I was not thrilled to learn that Koontz was planning a third entry in the series.However, I was pleasantly surprised by BROTHER ODD. This novel is a major return to form for Koontz, and is very similar in tone to the first ODD THOMAS novel. I won't rehash the plot, but it involves Odd retreating to a monastery in response to the events of earlier books. This novel has a much stronger plot than FOREVER ODD, and Koontz has wisely decided to spend more time on creating a brand new set of likable and interesting characters. I found this novel to be a pleasure to read. I especially enjoyed the funny and clever dialogue scenes between Odd and the other (highly eccentric) occupants of the monastery.This novel isn't perfect, however. My major quibble with BROTHER ODD is that it's far too short. BROTHER ODD had a bit of a rushed quality that I found unfortunate. There are a lot of very interesting characters in this novel, but some of them only last for a few pages or so. Koontz writes two or three books a year now, and as a result his novels are dramatically slimmer than they used to be. A shorter length is fine for a fast-paced suspense novel like VELOCITY or THE HUSBAND but I think the Odd Thomas books should be longer to allow more room for character growth and development. If Koontz had spent a few more months on this novel, he could have produced another masterpiece in my opinion.Overall though, BROTHER ODD is a winner. If you read and enjoyed the first ODD THOMAS, you should enjoy this third entry. Highly recommended.===I never, ever read a Dean Koontz novel in my life until a few weeks ago when I stumbled across a review of the first 'Odd Thomas' book. I have now read all three of them and I can say that I have never read a series of books with a recurring character that I have enjoyed this much. I hope and pray that there will be MORE!!!!Odd Thomas is one of the most loveable, humble, engaging and endearing "people" I know....even if he does see ghosts and is only a lowly fry cook! I came away from the series feeling as if I'd made a quirky, sweet, new friend. The scenes with the ghost of Elvis are both bittersweet, heart-rending and funny as hell.When I finished this book, I was crying my eyes out and my husband walked in shaking his head and said, "I don't think I've ever seen a person crying over a Dean Koontz novel!" I won't give away what made me cry, but it was joyous, poignant, moving and heartrending. I read it again later and cried again.This is a fabulous, different, enjoyable series and a must-read if you like fabulous characters.===_Brother Odd_ leaves me with no doubt that the Master of Story-Telling is back, and in rare form!I really enjoyed the first in the ODD series, _Odd Thomas_, finished it at 3 am because I couldn't put it down. Being a long-time Koontz fan, I bought _Forever Odd_ the first day. I could not believe the difference in the books. I had to struggle to continue with the second book, it had such a forced feeling about it.Now this one, Brother Odd, brings back all my faith in story-telling. The characters are very well-drawn, despite the "supernatural" elements. Odd is a believable sort of guy in this one, even without having the protection of all his hometown buddies. His feelings are real, the journey keeps its ups and downs, suspense, chase scenes, it's got them all. My only regret is that I finished it already. I want to read more.This is the type of Koontz book that I know and love. I put it up there with Whispers, Strangers and Lightning, which are my all-time favorites.You gotta buy this one -- IT'S A KEEPER!!!===Odd Thomas is one of those characters you can't forget. I discovered him in the quirky, touching, and sometimes chilling "Odd Thomas." I met him again in the darker, less heartfelt "Forever Odd." When I saw the dramatically colored cover of "Brother Odd," however, I was worried that Koontz would take our literary hero into the land of the ludicrous. I picked up the book with a fair share of concern."Brother Odd" finds Odd in a new location, seeking solitude and rejuvenation at a monastery in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. This isolated spot gives the story more tension, throwing a bunch of monks and nuns and needy children into a pressure-cooker situation. Odd knows there is trouble brewing again, trouble of a kind only he can see, when he detects evil entities stalking the children. With typical Koontz style, the story unfolds with lots of literary wordplay and Odd Thomas humor. The supporting cast does its job, although the heavy-handed attempt to make Mr. Romanovich seem menacing is just that--heavy-handed, and a bit too misleading.In the end, Odd Thomas and his band of merry monks and nuns must face the nameless evil that lurks in the blizzards and mountains, and in so doing, Odd confronts his own guilt, while freeing others (such as the spirit of Elvis Presley) from theirs. Koontz's worldview becomes more thought-provoking as his novels come along, and Odd Thomas is the perfect foil for those views--humble, gifted, and a bit odd. In conclusion, this story expresses thoughts about science and creation and God that are intriguing, uplifting, and cautionary--but also preachy, when serving as a denounement to a fast-paced thriller.With sardonic wit and pokes at our modern culture, Koontz is a writer I'll keep coming back to. He may be too pedantic for some, but at least he has something to say--and he's not afraid to say it. I'll be waiting anxiously for his next, "The Good Guy."------------------Nichtraucherhaushalt - Originalfoto.Verpackung sicher und stabil in Luftpolster-Versandtasche. Der Versand erfolgt meistens am Tag des Geldeinganges.Sofort lieferbar. Nichtraucherwohnung. Ich biete weitere Bücher an. Bitte schauen Sie mal auch auf meine anderen Angebote. Sammeln lohnt sich, denn dadurch wird das Porto günstiger.Privatverkauf: keine Rücknahme und Garantie, Hardcover.
2
Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)
EN PB USISBN: 9780553804805 bzw. 0553804804, in Englisch, Bantam Books, Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, Taschenbuch, gebraucht.
Von Händler/Antiquariat, Clean Earth Books [52680637], Atlanta, GA, U.S.A.
A great value for the avid reader! GOOD can range from a well cared for book in great condition to average with signs of slight wear. Overall, All text in great shape!
A great value for the avid reader! GOOD can range from a well cared for book in great condition to average with signs of slight wear. Overall, All text in great shape!
3
Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels) (2006)
EN HC USISBN: 9780553804805 bzw. 0553804804, in Englisch, Bantam, gebundenes Buch, gebraucht.
Von Händler/Antiquariat, Slategray Ventures [56373034], Cheyenne, WY, U.S.A.
Shipped within 24 hours. 100% Refund Guaranteed. Very good with slight wear. Comes with dust jacket if published with one - DJ may have some tears and rubbing.
Shipped within 24 hours. 100% Refund Guaranteed. Very good with slight wear. Comes with dust jacket if published with one - DJ may have some tears and rubbing.
4
Brother Odd (Odd Thomas Novels)
EN USISBN: 9780553804805 bzw. 0553804804, in Englisch, Bantam Books, Vereinigte Staaten von Amerika, gebraucht.
Von Händler/Antiquariat, Murfbooks [55856842], Dayton, OH, U.S.A.
Item is in good condition. May include some wear and creases on the cover. Fast shipping. Free delivery confirmation with every order.
Item is in good condition. May include some wear and creases on the cover. Fast shipping. Free delivery confirmation with every order.
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