Mysticism Meets Self-Discovery From Odd Thomas By Dean Koontz

We may lack riches, but the greatest fortune is what lies in our hearts.

I remembered purchasing one of Dean Koontz’s books but nothing strikes me as impressive as Odd Thomas. When you read “Odd Thomas” you might think they consist of two different words that basically means Thomas is odd and this is a story of Thomas who is odd. The truth is, they are both true. Just as his name indicates, Thomas is as odd as our mind could be. Through this series, you will follow the life of Odd Thomas, a 20 year old guy from a fictional town called Pico Mundo in California. He is a fry cook, nothing about him strikes as extraordinary except he could see someone passed through the walls and Elvis!

Leave your skepticism behind if you want to venture into the world of Odd Thomas. This is one of those supernatural themed books that will either blow your mind away or question the metaphysics. Influenced with a little dash of theology, Odd Thomas is such an enthralling and captivating read.

The narration style using the first person of view will grip you and sometimes terrorize you with the things that Thomas sees in his daily life as a fry cook. We’re simply taken to witness another realm, unthinkable by the skeptics. However, the meaning of this novel lies in much more than the spirits or such. It lies in the personal development of young Thomas through self-acceptance. We can learn so much from Thomas who thought his unique abilities was a curse. It was actually a gift that though it complicated his life such as having less ambition about life and not wanting to travel anywhere but eventually we see him coming into terms of his life’s limitations.

To simplify my life, I keep no bank accounts and pay only cash; therefore, I
have no credit cards. California had thoughtfully issued to me a laminated
driver's license stiff enough to loid the lock.

I recently read a book that basically said “ a good novel is a piece of work that involves least strain” . This work of Dean Koontz was like that. Whilst dealing with difficult topics and challenging issues, the words flowed. It was gripping and even if there is a movie made based on this novel, I would have still preferred its book as I am not quite a fan of horror as a film genre. I’ll let my imagination decide how the characters looked in my head and it better be locked there.

Another part that I find amusing is these riddles that consist of figurative language. Let me know if you can guess this one. Hint : It relates to food and is available at a diner.

"Double spuds twice in Hell.

Odd Thomas will also come with much more surprise that it lets on the first few chapters. So, be ready to witness one of the intriguing plot twists that this novel has to offer. But most importantly, It’s a story about courage, nuanced morality but also, one’s self-discovery. I have to add that the supporting characters will also pull you in and those characters that helped Thomas grow are also worth examining with their own quirks and personality that perhaps bear resemblance to some of the people that we know in our life.

Since Odd Thomas is a whole series and universe of its kind, I dare not to say much of its other characters. I’ll let you witness it yourself and immerse yourself into this metaphysical realm and its oddities. To close this review, I have to add this one quote from the book,

because you won't find the truth of life in morbidity, only in hope