From the Bookshelf of Gore and More…

Odd Man Out

James Newman

Start date: December 1, 2016

Finish date: December 31, 2016

Discussion leader: Kenneth McKinley

Why we're reading this: December 2016 Group Read with author James Newman
[close] December 2016 Group Read with author James Newman

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What Members Thought

Dec 04, 2016 Kenneth McKinley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: horror

We've all been there as a kid. You,me, all of us. Chances are we weren't the bully, but we were around when the bully picked his next victim - and we breathed a sigh of relief that it wasn't us. Maybe the victims was the new kid. Maybe they dressed different or talked different. Maybe they stuttered or had Coke bottle glasses. Maybe they came from the wrong side of the tracks. It really didn't matter what the reason was that the bully (or bullies) decided to make them a target. That's how bullie ...more

29 likes · Like · see review

Mar 08, 2017 Jon Recluse rated it it was amazing

Shelves: horror, coming-of-age

Hell is for children, and this monumental coming of age tale transports the reader into that darkest of places.
Newman writes with empathy and compassion, yet never flinches from sharing the pain that is the bane of childhood. He takes us down paths we remember, the ones we no longer wish to travel, but must for the sake of our humanity.
An emotional powerhouse of a novella, one that drew tears from this jaded old recluse...tears that needed to be shed for the scars we all share.

A powerful work by ...more

16 likes · Like · see review

Aug 15, 2017 Jason Parent rated it it was amazing

This was one powerful, disturbing, all-too-real and incredibly well-written story. 5 stars, easy.

15 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2017 Shadow Girl rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ku-available

This is a story that is going to stick with me/us.
I hope EVERYONE reads Odd Man Out, and recommends it to friends. It is going to turn some people around, and that’s a good thing.

A couple shout-outs, and the full review, are posted HERE.

P, L & N ♥
~sg ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2017 Christine rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · Like · see review

Apr 06, 2017 Leah Polcar rated it liked it

Shelves: horror-or-close-enough, over-rated, novellas, read-2017, 2017-horror-aficionados-challenge

I must be a heartless wench since I can only say this novella was good, but not great. This opinion seems to differ greatly from the norm, hence my conclusion I am a heartless wench. While the story is shocking and sad, I thought you could see what was coming from a mile away and I found myself unable to really feel the deeper motives of the narrator or his conflict. But then again, what should you expect from a heartless wench?

3 likes · Like · see review

Jul 09, 2017 Jennifer rated it really liked it

Shelves: kindle

4/5 - Not an easy read, I'm sure many of us can relate to this in some way.

I'm not American, and I'm not a guy, but I am around the same age as the characters in this book. And unfortunately I can relate to the book in a small way. Yeah, it's more extreme than all of us can relate to (I hope anyway) but the message that it portrays is the same.

I was bullied at school and it still affects me every day. It's contributed greatly to who I am. And kids are awful when they are bullies. As adults we te ...more

1 like · Like · see review