The Odds: A Love Story Audiobook (Unabridged)

" overall it was an okay book some parts kinda dragged an the ending totally sucked "

" The novella is enjoyable but simple. The writing is very choppy and the themes underdeveloped. I would have liked this to have been twice the length so disappointment, betrayal, shared experience, and loyalty in long-term companionship could have been better explored. "

" O'Nan, as always, does a fantastic job of descibing the struggles of middle class Americans. "

" I was really shocked to see that people gave this book a 5 star rating. I hope to even the playing field with my one star rating. I think O'Nan wrote this book over a weekend--or maybe just on a Friday night. One reviewer said she almost dismissed the book but then thought O'Nan's other works were so good, that perhaps she was at fault and was missing something more profound. Nothing profound here! I felt the entire time I was reading the book that I had read this book before--a typical "we are middle aged and washed up and our marriage stinks and our kids are gone and we've got no money BUT perhaps there is still something left here after all!" depressing as all get out story, which I am personally tired of. Is middle age that bad? Do I have NOTHING to look forward to? And the conclusion--where did it come from? I won't ruin it for those who want to read this (it is a QUICK read so reading it will not make you feel like your needlessly took time off the clock for no good reason) but if you do read it tell me how that conclusion was arrived at? How was ANYTHING resolved? "

" I liked Emily, Alone much better. "

" I loved the writing, and the story was compelling. I hated the very last sentence. "

" so honest, misty gray rather than black and white, just like most relationships; Art & Marion spend a hokey Valentine day in Niagara Falls trying to win big at the casino to ward off bankruptcy. o'nan is so spot on...not sure I'd want to spend time with them but enjoyed his skill. want to read more. "

" Portrait of a marriage and 2 people with nothing left to lose. Insightful, sad, raw and honest. A story of love and forgiveness and the reality of better or worse. "

" Depressing yet endearing. Quick read. I can envision George Clooney playing the lead "

" A very quick read. Good thing because it didn't have much going on. You do finish the book with a smile though. "

" Stewart O'Nan is one of my favorite authors. He captures ordinary people and their internal dialog as they deal with daily life. Really enjoyed this one too. "

" This is the second O'Nan book that I have read. Both of them have been mundane stories on the surface with surprisingly deep messages about everyday life. "

" a little gem by a great author. "

" I enjoyed the quirky facts at the beginning of each chapter...the odds! Sadly a fiction I think too many people are actually living. "

" It is hard to like a book if you do not like the characters. "

" A short story of modern day romance with the edge of financial disaster, unemployment and impending divorce. how more relevant to today's times can you get "

" Finely crafted portrait of characters palpably real. You care for them, root for them. Another excellent work by O'Nan. "

" O'Nan has done it again. The Odds was beautiful. Full review coming soon! "

" I read it in one morning and couldn't put it down. "

" I would have rated this 3 stars through most of the book, until the very last line. The book as a whole was a little depressing, mostly because it felt very real. Sometimes marriages can be messy and not pleasant, but if you look at the big picture, it's usually worth it. "

" Entertaining but disappointing in the end. "

" About couple in financial distress going to Niagara Falls to beat the odds. I just questioned how anyone could drink so much and smoke pot and still walk around. Entertaining but not a memorable book. "

" The wife is a complainer, the husband is a pleaser, the story, set in Niagara Falls on Valentines Day, is hokey. "

" O'Nan is definitely on my list of top 10 contemporary American writers. My favorite book of his is probably The Good Wife. "

" I loved this book... A well written study of love lost and maybe found again over a valentine weekend in Niagra Falls. Well written with dry humor and wry observations about marriage love and trying to hang on in a troubled world. "