| "Fragile Beasts is a novel of attachments that grow almost despite themselves, and the novel grows on the reader the same way—gradually but with determination. O'Dell tells her story with integrity, setting up a human situation and offering a few pithy answers for the reader to consider. It's a rich journey, and one worth taking." [more] —The Denver Post "Fragile Beasts marks an impressive step forward for the talented O’Dell, who has broadened her horizons without abandoning her home turf." [more] "O'Dell has written a compelling, poignant story in Fragile Beasts, so masterfully told that the reader closes the book with true regret and a longing for more." [more] "Another gem."—People "O'Dell has once again delivered a marvelous cast of characters and a riveting plot that sweeps the reader along as secrets are revealed, and old wrongs set right." [more] "O'Dell's Fragile Beasts is the story of all of us—human and animal, who are nothing more than fragile beasts. . . . O'Dell's book is at times funny and sad, but is always touching." "When this book is made into a movie, which it ought to be, we can only hope that the director avoids Hollywood-izing the sly, mysterious connection between Candace and Luis...In Fragile Beasts, O'Dell takes the bull by the horns!" [more] "As a native of the western Pennsylvania coal country, Tawni O'Dell easily captured the feel of her blue-collar milieu in her first three novels . . . She’s back home with her latest." [more] "In this tough and tender tale, O’Dell’s triumphant portrait of loss and rejection, sanctuary and redemption, shines with poignancy, dignity, and transcendent joy.” “O’Dell’s love for the fallen-on-hard-times coal country shines through in her fourth novel. A unique blend of such disparate elements as baseball, bullfighting, and fine art along with O’Dell’s multifaceted major and minor characters combine for intriguing vision. Her hard-hitting, well-crafted story packs a wallop.” “O’Dell’s a pro at capturing dialogue, and some characters’ wisecracks are laugh-out-loud funny . . .this gritty novel is a memorable read.” “O’Dell crafts a strong, moving story . . . O’Dell’s eye for class conflict remains as sharp as ever . . . her most mature novel, opening new paths for this talented writer.” "Fragile Beasts, O'Dell's fourth novel, showcases her talent once again for crafting seamlessly interwoven narratives and three-dimensional worlds, complete with damaged, well-sketched characters and authentic detail . . .This is the type of book perfect for summer reading—full of page-turning conflict, emotional tension, tinges of humor and beautiful prose: Four-hundred pages have never moved so quickly." [more] |