Customer Reviews

Oddly Enough

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

ODDLY ENOUGH is an amazing book with content ranging from the spooky "Language of Blood" to the funny "Clean as a Whistle!" All the different stories were great and I really liked each one of them. This book is great for all ages and all people, from fantasy-lovers to horror-readers! I highly recommend this book to everyone and anyone! It is truly a GREAT book!

I know some reviewers seemed to think the twists rather cliched, but I absolutely loved this! Maybe I just don't read enough fantasy or perhaps I'm one of those "younger kids" that were mentioned, but either way I really truly loved it! I normally have trouble finishing short story collections all the way to the end, (it's just something about jumping from story-to-story all the time) so it's really saying something about a book whenever I do!!

I read these tales out loud to my son. Most of them are well-written, clever examples of speculative fiction. Like any collection of short fiction, some works are better than others, some more worthwhile than others. "Duffy's Jacket" is wonderful fun, and most kids will easily understand and enjoy it. "The Language of Blood" is highly imaginative, but may be difficult for younger children who are yet unable to slip their minds into another culture and time. And then there is "Old Glory," which alone is worth the price of the book. I strongly recommend reading it aloud, since it's worth some discussion. . . .

This is fine for younger kids who wouldn't see some of these "twists" coming. But it is definitely not for anyone older. I read books on a few different levels. Some are very good even if they're intended for younger readers. But this book was just so cliche and predictable. I knew what was going to happen a couple of pages through each story. And some things didn't seem very developed, even though they had potential. But, some of the other books by Bruce Coville are good. Look for those.

Bruce Coville has written a collection of wholesome short stories extolling the virtues of faith, patience, reconciliation, peace, remembrance, inner beauty and forgiveness. Incidentally, none of the tales really appeal to me, since I don't tend to like stories with Wholesome Messages. Most of them come across as a little bland and predictable, and I particularly didn't like the message about faith in "The Box." I love stories that have a surprising or chilling twist at the end-- exemplified in Patricia C. Wrede's "Cruel Sisters" and Vivian Vande Velde's "Straw into Gold" and "Lost Soul" and "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson. The stories found in Oddly Enough are neither inspiring nor inspired, and I would tend to agree with Coville when he said he never thought of himself as a short story writer. However, I can see how these stories might appeal to younger fantasy readers, and parents should certainly approve of them. The cover art is also gorgeous; it is only unfortunate the stories did not turn out to be as spontaneous and surreal. If you like your stories with a bit more...attitude, I would suggest Wrede's excellent anthology, The Book of Enchantments, Vivian Vande Velde's Curses, Inc., or A Wizard's Dozen, which is a good collection of YA fantasy stories by different authors.

Ailanna

This is a very good book. I'm a big Bruce Coville fan and I say it is his second best. For his first best is INTO THE LAND OF THE UNICORNS. But going back to ODDLY ENOUGH the favorite story of mine in the book is THE BOX. I recommend this book. Ihope you enjoy the story as well as I did. ;-) :-} :~]

With a couple of exceptions, this group of darkly philosophical fantasy stories is thought-provoking but not suitable for younger/more sensitive readers. Veteran fantasy lovers are likely to find the twists a bit too predictable, while Coville's extremely low-key tone (obviously chosen to play up the "surprise" elements) can get really wearing. Check the book out at the library, read "Homeward Bound" and "Blaze of Glory" (which are very much worth your time and pack a surprising and beautiful punch), and let the rest go.

If you like Bruce Coville's unusual writing, this book is definitely a good choice for you. His stories are weird but highly entertaining. My favorite is "Clean as a Whistle," which is cute and funny, but they are all good and have something to offer readers of all ages.

Bruce Coville writes a number of childrens' books along the lines of Space Brat and I Was A Sixth-Grade Alien. Fortunately, he also writes short stories that are quite beautiful. I really loved the very first story, "The Box", in which Michael was given a wooden box by an angel when he was a child. He endures torment and ridicule for his entire life, but he never lets go of the box and he never opens it. He waits patiently for the day that the angel will return to him, knowing that he will then be rewarded for his dedication and loyalty.
The stories are alternately creepy, compelling, amusing, clever, and inspiring, and very satisfying.

It was a great book the short stories are exiting and they are sad sometimes but all over a great book