Sidekick Showcase is a weekly meme created by Jaclyn at JC's Book Haven to celebrate those awesome side characters who deserve a bit of the limelight too! Each week or sometimes month, Jaclyn offers up a topic/challenge and it's up to us to cast our favorite side character. You can get nutty with it, find an actor who fits the image you have in your head, post quotes, make your own drawing. So snag the graphic, share your pick, and link up on the Linky Link. Happy reading, folks!
I'm diving into a read that was way outside the norm for me, Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz. Odd is an amazing character. From the beginning he slipped into my heart and he's still there. Thing is, he shouldn't be so cool, so kind or caring because his life is crazy. He sees stuff that would make anyone run for the hills screaming and bawling their eyes out. But he was graced with a set of people equally amazing. One of them being Chief Porter. Since Odd's real dad is a total asshole and his mom is perhaps the worst mother in any book I've ever read, Chief takes on a father role in Odd's life. The two trust and respect each other. They believe in fighting for the innocents of the world. There are times Chief seems like he would love nothing more than to adopt Odd and offer him sanctuary from all the ugly in the world that won't leave Odd alone. My favorite thing about Chief is that he always believes in Odd. My version of Chief Porter is more like some aging cowboy, you know with the large barrel chest, long legs, and deep wrinkles that speak of equal parts joy and anguish. The movie version cast Willem Dafoe, a skinny, sharp faced man who plays the devil better than anyone, at least in my mind he does because I don't know that I've seen a movie where he plays the devil. I'm sure Mr. Dafoe can convince me he's the mega cool fatherly Chief Porter.
"By Seanglass (http://www.flickr.com/photos/seanglass/134627575/) [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons"
I remember you talking about this book, Robyn and like the last time, I'm curious about it. The only thing that stopping me from reading it. is that sounds a little dark and melancholic.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week!
Very dark and melancholic! It took me a long time to read because Koontz's style isn't really an easy flow kind of style. There's a lot of pondering, but Odd is truly one of the best characters I've ever read. I mean, I love him like a little brother. Funny thing, if Koontz wrote a romance, straight up romance, I bet I would love it because the way his characters love each other is captivating.
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful week too!
Oh, did you get to play at the beach? And was it just so good? I hope so!
"The way his characters love each other is captivating." You just created some beautiful images in my mind. Now I'm even more curious about this book, Robyn!
DeleteI didn't play at the beach but I had an amazing time. Sun, sea, books and a great company. ;)
I hope you can drive soon to the beach with your boys. It's summer! We should make the best of it!
Defoe really does do a great villain. I have a hard time imagining him as anything else. I love Odd Thomas though. So glad you're enjoying it!! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteHave you read the other books in the series? I've heard the first one is the best one and the rest go off to crazy land. I don't think I'll read more, but I miss Odd.
DeleteGosh, Robyn, reading all this about Odd Thomas makes me want to give Koontz another try. ;) It sounds like a really interesting book - and definitely outside my norm. I completely agree with you about Willem Defoe, too. The last movie I saw with him in it was Hotel Budapest...and he played a creepy assassin. ;)
ReplyDeleteHe plays creepy perfectly and I hear he's the sweetest guy! (hear it as in I watched one of those entertainment shows and that's what they said)
DeleteI think you should do an Odd Thomas buddy read with James. Can you do a buddy read with your husband? Seems like "buddy" isn't right and Koontz isn't the most fun thing you two could read together. Never mind my suggestion completely!
You've made me want to read this series. I freaking love Willem Dafoe! He's in The Boondock Saints, which I will soon be watching for *cough* Norman Reedus *cough* lol. He isn't who I pictured as Van Houten in The Fault in Our Stars, but he did a fabulous job nevertheless.
ReplyDelete