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.
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!
This sounds cool!
Sounds like a great book – I hope I win. Thanks for all the great contests!
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.
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!
i love short story collections
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
Pingback: Voices of the Lost and Found by Dorene O’Brien | Contests 4 Moms
Sounds wonderful!
I love short stories of all kinds!
The title sounds intriguing to discover who/what is lost
oooo, i love short stories, these sound especially interesting
I love stories about people and their struggles.
I like short stories, and writers with a unique voice.
being murdered with only the left hand remaining? yes, i need to read this book. i love gore!
I love any story that has the potential to creep me out
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.
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.
wow, i love this kind of stories; keeps me on the edge of my seat with bated breath.
please include me in the drawing.
This sounds like perfect summer reading…and something I have never read before…thanks so much!
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.
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.
i love to read .these look great.
The graffiti artist story sounds good. I’m a big fan of street art but I’ve never read anything about it.
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/
Pingback: dkMommy Spot » Herbal Giveaway!
Fascinating collection which interests me greatly. Thqanks for this great giveawy.
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.
Sounds like a great book
Oh, looks great! I would love to win this!
I LOVE WELL WRITTEN SHORT STORIES.
I can use another good book to read
This sounds like something I would LOVE to read!
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.
The variety intrigues me!
I would love to win this! Please enter me.
taradawnrobertson[at]hotmail[dot]com
Pingback: carp(e) libris reviews » Blog Archive » An Interview with Dorene O’Brien
I would love to read this book! Please enter me!
enter me
I like short stories-I’d love to win this!
hah! We would love to win a copy of course
I blogged your contest on Prize-A-Tron!
http://www.prizeatron.com!
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.
ooo, i really like short stories!
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.
Sounds Good! (hahah just kidding)
I’m always overwhelmed by which books to choose – love when others choose for me
I like the idea of the edginess of the stories.
I really like the sound of the stories.
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
Love to read
voices eh? sounds very interesting!
I would love to win this! Please enter me.
taradawnrobertson[at]hotmail[dot]com
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/