Voices of the Lost and Found by Dorene O’Brien - Review & Giveaway
Voices of the Lost and Found gives the reader a well-written collection of short stories, each crafted in a distinctively different voice than the one before. How author Dorene O’Brien manages to carry all these personalities around in her head, I can’t even begin to imagine. But this, together with edgy story lines and delicious irony, is what makes Voices of the Lost and Found an impressive work.
Eleven stories in all, the characters are truly the heart of the book. From the gripping story of a graffiti artist (Way Past Taggin’) to the humorous tale of a fishery worker whose boss was murdered with only his left hand remaining (No Need to Ask), the narration is so realistic you’ll swear you’re hearing voices. I don’t know if it’s this way for everyone, but when I read, it’s usually my own voice slightly altered to fit the character. Men are a little lower register, sometimes with an accent, but it’s still me in there. With O’Brien’s work, I heard actual voices. Please don’t turn me in. I just tell it like it is.
I had the honor of interviewing Dorene O’Brien about her experiences writing this book. I’ll be posting that tomorrow, so make sure and stop by.
If you want to hear voices in your head too, you’re in luck. I have one extra copy of Voices of the Lost and Found to give away. There are three ways to win: All subscribers are already entered into this and all future giveaways, so if you aren’t subscribed, you can do so in the right hand column of this page. Or you can leave a comment telling me what interests you about this book. (Something more than “sounds good” is kindly requested.) You can also link back to this post in your blog for an entry. Do all three, and you have three entries! I’ll draw a winner on at midnight EST on April 27th, 2008.
Special thanks go out to Bloggy Giveaways, who does a fantastic job of promoting. They’re hosting a giveaway carnival right now, so if you like winning things, this is your spot.
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I love reading! I have been stuck in a rut with lots of murder mystery types books. This book sounds like it’d be perfect to get me down a new track.
I’ve also subscribed to your feed!
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
This sounds cool!
April 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 pm
Sounds like a great book - I hope I win. Thanks for all the great contests!
April 23rd, 2008 at 6:18 pm
Well I must say you piqued my interest when you said it was like hearing voices! LOL!!! NOW you have my interest. It does sound like a very intersting book. I’ll have to look it up at my library the next time I go. Thanks for the review.
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:01 pm
I love when you can hear someone else’s voice in your head instead of your own. People always tell me that when they read my blog or my emails, that they’re hearing my voice in their heads.
Also, I love short stories! Count me in!
April 23rd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
i love short story collections
April 23rd, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Eleven short stories so I guess there are 11 different main characters?! It would be interesting to see each person’s fate and how they deal with it!
I am glad that you mentioned the one has some humor. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:33 pm
[...] Where: carp(e) libris reviews [...]
April 24th, 2008 at 1:39 am
Sounds wonderful!
April 24th, 2008 at 1:40 am
I love short stories of all kinds!
April 24th, 2008 at 1:44 am
The title sounds intriguing to discover who/what is lost
April 24th, 2008 at 3:12 am
oooo, i love short stories, these sound especially interesting
April 24th, 2008 at 4:01 am
I love stories about people and their struggles.
April 24th, 2008 at 4:12 am
I like short stories, and writers with a unique voice.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:15 am
being murdered with only the left hand remaining? yes, i need to read this book. i love gore!
April 24th, 2008 at 6:31 am
I love any story that has the potential to creep me out
April 24th, 2008 at 7:20 am
Short Stories sound very interesting to me right now. I don’t seem to have much time to get involved in a long novel anymore. I would love to see what this book is all about.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Short stories are great for the summer when you can sit outside and read a story at a time. I’d love to win this book, thanks.
I’m subscribed to your feed.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:51 am
wow, i love this kind of stories; keeps me on the edge of my seat with bated breath.
please include me in the drawing.
April 24th, 2008 at 7:54 am
This sounds like perfect summer reading…and something I have never read before…thanks so much!
April 24th, 2008 at 8:15 am
I don’t know how many more voices I can fit in my head, but I suppose they are skinny, they can squish together. Thanks for the chance.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:21 am
I would love to read Dorene O’ Brien’s collection of stories. When I looked up her bio, I discovered she has studied with Antonya Nelson, who is a wonderful short story writer. I’ve read some of Nelson’s work before and really enjoyed it, so I would love to have the opportunity to read O’Brien’s stories.
April 24th, 2008 at 8:36 am
i love to read .these look great.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:17 am
The graffiti artist story sounds good. I’m a big fan of street art but I’ve never read anything about it.
April 24th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Short stories are like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re getting with the turn of each chapter. Love that suspense
I’ve blogged it. I’m also having tons of giveaways on both my blogs. Hope you’ll stop by.
Best,
callmeabookworm at gmail dot com
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
http://abookwormsdiary.blogspot.com/
April 24th, 2008 at 10:29 am
[...] got two more giveaways going on my other blog: Voices of the Lost and Found book of short stories, and Sandrine’s Letter to Tomorrow, a novel. So be sure to check those [...]
April 24th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Fascinating collection which interests me greatly. Thqanks for this great giveawy.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:57 am
This sounds interesting because I like short stories and this seems like it might be along that line. Also, It is interesting that it comes from many different points of view and types of people. Sounds like a great story. Please count me in. Thank you.
April 24th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Sounds like a great book
April 24th, 2008 at 12:40 pm
Oh, looks great! I would love to win this!
April 24th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I LOVE WELL WRITTEN SHORT STORIES.
April 24th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I can use another good book to read
April 24th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
This sounds like something I would LOVE to read!
April 24th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I would love a chance to win this. I like books of short stories because they’re easy to carry around and read pieces of between classes - I don’t get sucked in and end up late for things the way I do with novels.
April 24th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
The variety intrigues me!
I would love to win this! Please enter me.
taradawnrobertson[at]hotmail[dot]com
April 24th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
[...] of the book Voices of the Lost and Found by Dorene O’Brien. (If you haven’t entered to win the book yet, make sure you do!) Today I have the interview with Dorene, as promised. If you’re a [...]
April 24th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I would love to read this book! Please enter me!
April 24th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
enter me
April 24th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I like short stories-I’d love to win this!
April 24th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
hah! We would love to win a copy of course
I blogged your contest on Prize-A-Tron!
http://www.prizeatron.com!
April 24th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
I very recently joined a short story group. This is my first time reading short stories. I’d love to win a book with several short stories perhaps I can even share with the group.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:44 am
ooo, i really like short stories!
April 25th, 2008 at 4:45 am
This sounds like a wonderful book. I like short story books because it helps me take a break instead of ignoring the laundry all day to finish a book. The stories sound really interesting.
April 25th, 2008 at 5:30 am
Sounds Good! (hahah just kidding)
I’m always overwhelmed by which books to choose - love when others choose for me
April 25th, 2008 at 5:55 am
I like the idea of the edginess of the stories.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I really like the sound of the stories.
April 25th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I don’t always have time for reading novels. I can carry a short story book in my purse an never waste time reading yucky magazines at the doctors office, the car, at kids soccer practice. always looking for a new author. thnx
April 25th, 2008 at 7:58 am
Love to read
April 25th, 2008 at 9:18 am
voices eh? sounds very interesting!
I would love to win this! Please enter me.
taradawnrobertson[at]hotmail[dot]com
April 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am
We are book junkies around here. Short Stories are so fun!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Rejoicing in Him,
Jill
http://tonsofsons.wordpress.com/
April 25th, 2008 at 10:00 am
I will need a new read in a day jor 2. Thanks for the giveaway
April 25th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I tend to shy away from short stories but the description of the vivid characters intrigues me.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
sounds great
April 25th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
This sounds interesting!
April 25th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
sounds like a great read
April 25th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
the premises for the stories sound really interesting
April 25th, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Would love to read this book! Please enter me for this giveaway! Thanks
April 25th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’m an avid reader and love different genre’s - this looks great!
April 25th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I love to read and this is something different than what I’d normally pick out. Several short stories. I think it would be an interesting read.
April 25th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
I love short stories! With two small children its sometimes hard to make it through a complete novel! But I love to read!
April 25th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
I’d love to read this book! The other voices in my head need some company!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:18 am
Sounds like a very interesting book
April 26th, 2008 at 1:21 am
this sounds like a great read; i love books of short stories
April 26th, 2008 at 4:09 am
I am a mom of twin toddlers with a blog so short stories are all I have time for!
The way you described the narrators makes this book sound so good! I would love something new for my shelf. Thanks!
April 26th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I love short stories because you can read the whole thing in one sitting.
April 26th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Oh my gosh, this looks so goooood! I’d love to win!
April 26th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I would love to win this!
April 26th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
i enjoy a good suspense, thrill filled story. i liked your blog so much that i subscribed too
keep up the great work!
Great giveaway! I hope i’m the lucky winner!
April 26th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I love reading, especially short stories!
April 26th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I’ve come to the realization after many years of experiencing the same thing, that hearing “voices” in one’s head is a sign that the book you’re reading is a darn good read. Sadly, the experience seems to be few and far between as not every book is darn good enough!
April 26th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
This looks like a great book. Please sign me up.
April 26th, 2008 at 10:40 pm
Sounds really interesting! I’d really like to find out what these voices have to say!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:06 am
his left hand remaining (No Need to Ask) Only one of 11 interesting story lines. Pick me, I can never find enough good reads
April 27th, 2008 at 1:15 am
I’m going to be moving across country soon and won’t have time to read as much as I would like, so a book filled with short stories would be perfect for me. Thanks for the contest.
April 27th, 2008 at 9:26 am
I am intrigued by the collection of short stories with all the diverse interesting characters.
April 27th, 2008 at 11:52 am
intriguing book - something a little bit different - looking forward to getting it from the library if I dont win it!
April 27th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Love the dichotomeis/Lost/Found; Can’t wait if possibly selected to “find out”/ Best of luck to all who enter. Many Thanks
April 27th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
This looks like a great book.
April 27th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
I’m always searching for good reads. Count me in.
April 27th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
please enter me
April 27th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I am a big fan of short stories. I’d love to read this book.
April 27th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
Sounds like a great book - I hope I win. Thanks for all the great contests!
April 27th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
I love reading short stories
and the title of the book
and hearing voices has sparked
my interest.Books that are
different from the norm delight
me
April 27th, 2008 at 11:44 pm
sounds like a real good read i need something good right now
April 28th, 2008 at 2:48 am
The idea of different characters with their own distinctive points of view interests me.
April 28th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Wow, I’m thrilled by the responses the book and review have generated! Thanks much to all, especially to Diane. Since everyone can’t be a winner, perhaps instead you can read a couple of the stories on my web site at http://www.doreneobrien.com. If you like those you can order the book-most likely at a discount-from Amazon, Borders or B & N.