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cole_tergeist_boo's review against another edition
3.0
A great collection of strange short stories. All the ideas and snippets were very original and fun to read, leaving me closing the book to sit and imagine the scenes following each chapter. Especially great if you’re familiar with coastal Oregon and Washington as the atmosphere there was captured perfectly in this book.
My only notes would be the “voices” of all the characters were the same as the narrator which took me out of the immersion a bit, as well as the attempt at writing from a female perspective not feeling authentic (“I’ve got pleasing curves in the proper places” definitely read as a male author’s attempt at writing a woman).
My only notes would be the “voices” of all the characters were the same as the narrator which took me out of the immersion a bit, as well as the attempt at writing from a female perspective not feeling authentic (“I’ve got pleasing curves in the proper places” definitely read as a male author’s attempt at writing a woman).
krystan's review against another edition
2.0
This book could have been so much more. The writing is clever and funny and for the first half of the book, I couldn’t wait to see what would come next. Then during the second half, I realized nothing was coming. Just more of the same cleverly written nonsense.
thegingerbookeditor's review against another edition
5.0
While reading Odsburg, I couldn't help but laugh. Written as a series of fictional transcriptions from Odsburg, WA, the book reminds me of all the cooky (for lack of a better word) people that live in the Pacific Northwest and the way our community embraces the odd while simultaneously othering it. As the researcher, Wallace Jenkins-Ross, interviews the residents of Odsburg we get several short accounts of odd happening around the town, that might seem coincidental at first. Wallace's transcriptions vary from relatable to comic as he attempts to understand what makes Odsburg so affected by abnormal behavior, and as a result catches the attention of the local pharma company, OdsWellMore Inc. who may have more to do with the town's abnormalities than any other factor. They deny having any involvement in the town's abnormal behavior or when members of the community go blind after taking their drugs. While fictional and at times far reaching, the story feels very indicative of small town America especially in the PNW where drugs (regulated or not) and oddity are interwoven into the community, as Wallace addresses these issues indirectly. I'll be recommending Odsburg to people in my community even if it's just for some of the funny anecdotes. It's like a dark Gravity Falls for adults :)
amberfinnegan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
bhaines's review against another edition
Fun. The frame is good I'd like to read more things with this concept. The cover and illustrations are very nice. Done by student press s/o them.
katherineflitsch_'s review against another edition
2.0
Readers who enjoy Kurt Vonnegut will be pleased to spend time with the narrative voice of Odsburg, a book whose voice communicates that same entertained quality of whimsy, and, also like in the case of a Vonnegut story, all is within a context of curious magical realism. I'm a big fan of Vonnegut's work, and so I enjoyed the narrative voice of Odsburg; however, my one qualm with Odsburg was that the voices of the vignettes were not distinguishable from one another, which felt like a considerable missed mark considering that each story is told from a different character's point of view. As each sub-story is presented as a transcription of a recording, you'd think that the character's unique personality should shine through in the local narrative voices. Instead, however, it feels like the same narrator is telling us each story. I would have enjoyed the opportunity to get to know the townspeople of Odsburg as individuals had I gotten to receive their stories via their unique voices.
However, I did find it fun to piece together the personality of the town as a whole through reading "leaflets" and announcements and other such evidentiary documents. The approach that Odsburg takes towards storytelling is unique enough to be novel and intriguing while still being familiar enough that it's not completely disorienting. The self-ascribed label of "a socio-anthropo-lingui-lore-ological study" that Odsburg claims is certainly befitting, and as someone who has dabbled in anthropology and linguistics, I opened this book with excited expectations that were indeed fulfilled.
If you are a reader who enjoys the narrative concept of an anthropological exposé and the narrative voice of Vonnegut stories (think: the short stories collected into Look at the Birdie), you will have plenty to find enjoyment in in Odsburg! Though it is disappointing that the voices of the stories are not unique, the sole voice we do get is enjoyable enough that I can let it slide.
However, I did find it fun to piece together the personality of the town as a whole through reading "leaflets" and announcements and other such evidentiary documents. The approach that Odsburg takes towards storytelling is unique enough to be novel and intriguing while still being familiar enough that it's not completely disorienting. The self-ascribed label of "a socio-anthropo-lingui-lore-ological study" that Odsburg claims is certainly befitting, and as someone who has dabbled in anthropology and linguistics, I opened this book with excited expectations that were indeed fulfilled.
If you are a reader who enjoys the narrative concept of an anthropological exposé and the narrative voice of Vonnegut stories (think: the short stories collected into Look at the Birdie), you will have plenty to find enjoyment in in Odsburg! Though it is disappointing that the voices of the stories are not unique, the sole voice we do get is enjoyable enough that I can let it slide.
kyndallt23's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the fictional town of Odsburg, Washington, Wallace Jenkins-Ross as a self proclaimed socio-anthropo-lingui-lore-ologist, sets out to record a collection that expresses the essence of this quirky town using experiences, interviews, found objects, and many instances of eavesdropping. I was not entirely sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was quickly enamored by the writing style. I vigorously flipped through the pages interested in the next obsurdity recorded. Each instance includes characters and their experiences that are each interesting and feel genuine despite their absurdity. The story as a whole is fun-filled and insane on the surface, but serves to give a larger lesson on humanity and the necessity of storytelling in a modern world. We also get a good dose of existentialism that will make you take a second to ponder to the human condition, right before stepping back into another wild ride of a story. Tompkins gives an enamoring depiction of Odsburg in a way that makes you feel like you are exploring along with Jenkins-Ross. Each piece serves to add character to the collection, and together they weave a delightfully odd story that will make you question what exactly you just read. I really enjoyed this collection, and I think it is a great option if you are looking for a little escapism.
allie_gonzales's review against another edition
3.0
Odsburg is a collection of short vignettes that weaves together the obscure, weird, and abnormal events the people of Odsburg, Washington experience. I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5 stars. While the stories are imaginative and fun to read about, I couldn't help feeling like I wanted something more.
The book seemed to have some background conspiracies about the town's pharmaceutical company and the effects their products have on the people of Odsburg. I was hoping the book would delve deeper into that sort of thing. While the book had some unique qualities and an interesting writing style, I felt there was no real conclusion by the end. I'm a big fan of magical realism, but this book was just not for me.
The book seemed to have some background conspiracies about the town's pharmaceutical company and the effects their products have on the people of Odsburg. I was hoping the book would delve deeper into that sort of thing. While the book had some unique qualities and an interesting writing style, I felt there was no real conclusion by the end. I'm a big fan of magical realism, but this book was just not for me.
megan_jessop's review against another edition
4.0
Matt Tompkins ability to use intrigue and whimsy through "the world's first and only socio-anthropo-lingui-lore-ologist", Wallace Jenkins Ross is nothing short of genius. He stages the novel in such a way that readers are drawn in and submerged with various documented artifacts that give us a glimpse into the strange happenings of the fictional town of Odsburg, Washington. Tompkins places all of these artifacts in such a way that it reads as a report of an anthropologist via a collection of transcribed short stories and conversations, along with other interviews or quirky supernatural-like events and observances. Many of the stories seem to be otherworldly or almost psychedelic at times in such a way that would appeal to listeners of podcasts that showcase true crime or the mysterious and unexplained--such as the existence of aliens or the Loch Ness Monster. The happenings of Odsburg are equally unexplainable... with a few possible explanations that Tompkins leaves up to the readers to decide. With many of these stories and findings holding the pharmaceutical company Odsmore at the periphery, one has to wonder at the benefits and problems surrounding medical advances and drug testing and how those play into the lives of the inhabitants of Odsburg. Tompkins choice to structure the novel as an anthropological-like report gives a sense of suspended disbelief where readers know that they are reading fiction, but it causes you to doubt what you think you know or rather what you are sure of, I had to flip from pages to cover multiple times to remember who the true author of the book was: Wallace Jenkins Ross or Matt Tompkins?? This was brilliantly done and falls in step perfectly with the overall themes and tone of the novel. Tompkins writing style pivoted fluidly between a casual, conversational tone and that of a profoundly poetic existentialist. In every sentence and every page, however, I was drawn in. Some sections made me shake my head, while others had me laughing with delight, while still others left me in thought-provoking awe at his ability to grapple with the world around us, fictional or otherwise. This was such a fun and intriguing read. I definitely recommend that everyone should read this, especially if you are looking for a little wild escapism during the current pandemic!
dmoralessoto's review against another edition
5.0
Odsburg is a weird and enthralling tale about a rather odd town in Washington that is plagued by strange people and events. Everything about this book is so unique and entertaining it was difficult to put down. Every story had something new to offer and helps paint this very quirky picture of the town Odsburg.
Needless to say, I loved this book! It’s so up my alley and enjoyed every second of it. If you like witty, funny, interesting, and weird fiction, this is definitely a book worth picking up.
Needless to say, I loved this book! It’s so up my alley and enjoyed every second of it. If you like witty, funny, interesting, and weird fiction, this is definitely a book worth picking up.