The Odd Sea

Rating:
Summary: an intelligent & emotionally charged tale
Review: It's rare that a book possesses both the intellectual complexity and the depth of emotion present in The Odd Sea. Yet this book seems to have it all. Most importantly, the characters are strong and the story so compelling that the novel grabs you by page 3 and won't let you go until you've stayed up all night to finish it. The story revolves around a 16 year old boy's disappearance and is loosely based on The Odyssey by Homer. Narrator Philip remarks that his father, a sometimes storyteller, "managed to cover everything: absence, distance, longing, hope, return." So does this book, in ways both moving and profound. The Odd Sea is a masterful piece of fiction. I am tempted to call it "perfect."

Rating:
Summary: Deeply felt and unforgettable
Review: The Odd Sea haunted me for days after I read it. Mr. Reiken has the gift of being able to make us feel his characters deeply. His simple but elegant prose brings us right into their world. This is not a book for people who want a fantasy story, though in many ways it is a very magical novel. The magic comes out of the characters' love for each other, and from the beauty of their spirits as they bravely face an unbearable situation. This is a book that will teach you how to keep your soul alive.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best books
Review: You can surely read this book over and over again, without getting tired of it. I loved this book.