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Other Father
Odd Adventures With Your Other Father
Because one of her fathers died when she was very young, much of Celia's family knowledge comes from stories her surviving father narrates—road-trip adventures from the mid-80s that explore homophobia in a supernatural context. As she considers these adventures (a rescue mission aided by ghostly hallucinations; a secluded town of strangely shaped inhabitants; a movie star with a monstrous secret), Celia uncovers startling new truths about her family's past.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2016
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June 9, 2019
I have never read anything like this. In fact, I had to go and search for a word to best describe this story, because I had nothing in my vocabulary. And the best I could come up with is FANTASTICAL.
This book by Norman Prentiss mixes genres – it is horror, but not really. It is fantasy, but not really. Perhaps a little sci-fi? A love story? Family drama? Humor? Yes? No? Maybe?
The closest comparison I can make to this story is the movie BIG FISH, but more mature and darker. The writing, if I had to pinpoint it, is somewhere between Chad Lutzke and Anderson Prunty – which means it will make you feel while bending reality just a little further than normal.
Celia is the adopted daughter of a gay couple. When she was four, one of her fathers died. She can barely remember him, so her other father tells her about their adventures during the 80’s.
Simple and straight-forward, right?
Nope…the stories are of a supernatural nature. But more than that, it shouts a very loud message about being gay in the 80’s. AIDS had just been brought to light, the famous actor Rock Hudson being the first celebrity to die of the disease – to the best of my personal knowledge. The whole world was rife with homophobia.
I hang my head in shame when I think back to those days. That was the way we were brought up. The biggest insult you could give a guy was to call him a homo (I don’t use the F-word). Bullies and kids in general threw the term around daily, hell, even the teachers wasn’t shy to use that word. What, you don’t want to play rugby because you are the smallest kid in class? What are you, homo or something?
There was a lot to learn about tolerance and acceptance, for more than just sexuality in this country, but it was something I worked through when I had enough brains to think for myself. Even today, with so much progress that has been made, it is unbelievable how ignorant some people can remain.
So, if we don’t share the same taste in music or movies or books as the mainstream, should we be victimized because of it? And that is all it comes down to – identifying and being drawn to something different.
Hey, guy, you loved WHAM!, didn’t you? What if I told you that the original lyrics to “Wake me up before you go-go” was actually “Zip me up before you go, bro”?
Yes, you’re right, I’m lying. Had you going for a moment there, didn’t I? Dude, just relax…
Oh yes, do you still know all the words to RELAX by Frankie goes to Hollywood? Perhaps sing along to WE WILL ROCK YOU by Queen?
No? You were into the heavier stuff. Right…did JUDAS PRIEST ever inspire you to wear leather?
Perhaps you wanted to be just as cool as James Dean…
But, alas, I’m getting off the topic.
This book is much tamer than my usual tastes and it will make you feel things you might not be expecting. In some ways, I can even call this book beautiful.
Kudos to Lynne Hanson on another great book cover.
Recommended to those who like to FEEL…
This book by Norman Prentiss mixes genres – it is horror, but not really. It is fantasy, but not really. Perhaps a little sci-fi? A love story? Family drama? Humor? Yes? No? Maybe?
The closest comparison I can make to this story is the movie BIG FISH, but more mature and darker. The writing, if I had to pinpoint it, is somewhere between Chad Lutzke and Anderson Prunty – which means it will make you feel while bending reality just a little further than normal.
Celia is the adopted daughter of a gay couple. When she was four, one of her fathers died. She can barely remember him, so her other father tells her about their adventures during the 80’s.
Simple and straight-forward, right?
Nope…the stories are of a supernatural nature. But more than that, it shouts a very loud message about being gay in the 80’s. AIDS had just been brought to light, the famous actor Rock Hudson being the first celebrity to die of the disease – to the best of my personal knowledge. The whole world was rife with homophobia.
I hang my head in shame when I think back to those days. That was the way we were brought up. The biggest insult you could give a guy was to call him a homo (I don’t use the F-word). Bullies and kids in general threw the term around daily, hell, even the teachers wasn’t shy to use that word. What, you don’t want to play rugby because you are the smallest kid in class? What are you, homo or something?
There was a lot to learn about tolerance and acceptance, for more than just sexuality in this country, but it was something I worked through when I had enough brains to think for myself. Even today, with so much progress that has been made, it is unbelievable how ignorant some people can remain.
So, if we don’t share the same taste in music or movies or books as the mainstream, should we be victimized because of it? And that is all it comes down to – identifying and being drawn to something different.
Hey, guy, you loved WHAM!, didn’t you? What if I told you that the original lyrics to “Wake me up before you go-go” was actually “Zip me up before you go, bro”?
Yes, you’re right, I’m lying. Had you going for a moment there, didn’t I? Dude, just relax…
Oh yes, do you still know all the words to RELAX by Frankie goes to Hollywood? Perhaps sing along to WE WILL ROCK YOU by Queen?
No? You were into the heavier stuff. Right…did JUDAS PRIEST ever inspire you to wear leather?
Perhaps you wanted to be just as cool as James Dean…
But, alas, I’m getting off the topic.
This book is much tamer than my usual tastes and it will make you feel things you might not be expecting. In some ways, I can even call this book beautiful.
Kudos to Lynne Hanson on another great book cover.
Recommended to those who like to FEEL…
June 13, 2023
Odd Adventures With Your Other Father is a genre-bending masterpiece. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever read before, the narrative is so unique. One minute it can feel scary and surreal, the next poignant and heartwarming.
This is a horror story wrapped up in a queer love story, that perfectly encapsulates the difficulties faced as an openly gay couple in the 1980s - rampant homophobia and the AIDS epidemic.
Cella’s father Jack passed away when she was a really young child, she only has fleeting memories of him. Her other father, Shawn, retells stories of them both together in the 80s.
It goes between Shawn’s past stories and Celia meeting up with her grandparents - Jack’s parents - in the book’s present day.
Cella’s other father had the ability to share visions with others, he shared them with Shawn. Visions of unexplainable horror.
There’s a good twist about Shawn’s stories and the retellings of them. I won’t lie, sometimes I did feel a little perplexed by the narrative and what was going on. You will see exactly what I mean if you choose to read this. But it’s so beautifully written, you do grow to care for the characters. Now I’m familiar with the writing style, I hope to check out the second book soon!
”I knew what they'd told you about me, and that's why I had to explain myself. Otherwise, I never wanted you to know. Jack was suffering at the end, I can't sugarcoat that. But remember: his visions always made things worse. Maybe it was an illusion just for me, and he wasn't suffering much at all.”
4.5 Stars
This is a horror story wrapped up in a queer love story, that perfectly encapsulates the difficulties faced as an openly gay couple in the 1980s - rampant homophobia and the AIDS epidemic.
Cella’s father Jack passed away when she was a really young child, she only has fleeting memories of him. Her other father, Shawn, retells stories of them both together in the 80s.
It goes between Shawn’s past stories and Celia meeting up with her grandparents - Jack’s parents - in the book’s present day.
Cella’s other father had the ability to share visions with others, he shared them with Shawn. Visions of unexplainable horror.
There’s a good twist about Shawn’s stories and the retellings of them. I won’t lie, sometimes I did feel a little perplexed by the narrative and what was going on. You will see exactly what I mean if you choose to read this. But it’s so beautifully written, you do grow to care for the characters. Now I’m familiar with the writing style, I hope to check out the second book soon!
”I knew what they'd told you about me, and that's why I had to explain myself. Otherwise, I never wanted you to know. Jack was suffering at the end, I can't sugarcoat that. But remember: his visions always made things worse. Maybe it was an illusion just for me, and he wasn't suffering much at all.”
4.5 Stars
June 11, 2016
Odd Adventures with Your Other Father by Norman Prentiss is a genre-bending novel, blending fantasy, horror, and a love story that transcends the ordinary.
I've been sitting here, staring at a mostly blank page for the last fifteen minutes. It's difficult to describe this book without giving away it's secrets and that's a big part of what made this such an enjoyable read.
Celia, had two fathers, one of them passed away when she was four. Her Father, Shawn, tells her a series of "odd" stories about her other Father, Jack.
The stories border on the fantastic, but are told with love and charm as Prentiss tells the story of a same sex couple making their way in the world of the mid-eighties. Their post-college road trip was engrossing and believable, but the tales are not all fun and games. There's a fair share of unpleasantness and violence as might be expected in this less open-minded era.
It was so easy to become lost in the story-telling. Somewhat like sitting around a campfire listening to an experienced counselor tell his best tale and then clamoring for one more before crawling into your sleeping bag for the night.
I took pleasure in the details in the stories told here. Like the time Jack and Shawn stayed at a bed and breakfast..."'Not a lot of rules here,' Mrs. Bittinger said. 'Bathroom's down the hall on the right,: no shower, but a nice enough tub. Breakfast is at eight o'clock tomorrow, if you want it. Please don't lie on top of the bedspread: lie underneath it, or take it off and set it in the chair.'"
Odd Adventures with Your Other Father is the perfect title for a book which is at times shocking, often touching, and certainly a memorable work I won't soon forget.
Published by Kindle Press as a part of their Kindle Scout program, Odd Adventures with Your Other Father, is currently available in e-book only. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read this book at no additional charge and if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE through the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
Norman Prentiss is a two-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award. One for Superior Achievement in Long Fiction for his debut book, Invisible Fences and one in the Short Fiction Category for In the Porches of My Ears. In my opinion, he's the real deal. You can't go wrong with a Norman Prentiss book.
I've been sitting here, staring at a mostly blank page for the last fifteen minutes. It's difficult to describe this book without giving away it's secrets and that's a big part of what made this such an enjoyable read.
Celia, had two fathers, one of them passed away when she was four. Her Father, Shawn, tells her a series of "odd" stories about her other Father, Jack.
The stories border on the fantastic, but are told with love and charm as Prentiss tells the story of a same sex couple making their way in the world of the mid-eighties. Their post-college road trip was engrossing and believable, but the tales are not all fun and games. There's a fair share of unpleasantness and violence as might be expected in this less open-minded era.
It was so easy to become lost in the story-telling. Somewhat like sitting around a campfire listening to an experienced counselor tell his best tale and then clamoring for one more before crawling into your sleeping bag for the night.
I took pleasure in the details in the stories told here. Like the time Jack and Shawn stayed at a bed and breakfast..."'Not a lot of rules here,' Mrs. Bittinger said. 'Bathroom's down the hall on the right,: no shower, but a nice enough tub. Breakfast is at eight o'clock tomorrow, if you want it. Please don't lie on top of the bedspread: lie underneath it, or take it off and set it in the chair.'"
Odd Adventures with Your Other Father is the perfect title for a book which is at times shocking, often touching, and certainly a memorable work I won't soon forget.
Published by Kindle Press as a part of their Kindle Scout program, Odd Adventures with Your Other Father, is currently available in e-book only. If you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited you can read this book at no additional charge and if you are an Amazon Prime member you can read it for FREE through the Kindle Owners Lending Library.
Norman Prentiss is a two-time winner of the Bram Stoker Award. One for Superior Achievement in Long Fiction for his debut book, Invisible Fences and one in the Short Fiction Category for In the Porches of My Ears. In my opinion, he's the real deal. You can't go wrong with a Norman Prentiss book.
March 27, 2017
Celia's other father, Jack, passed away when she was just 4 years old and her remaining father, Shawn, tells her about him. The stories, mostly from their road trip following college are certainly of the odd kind - that's Ray Bradbury-odd, actually. Celia goes to summer camp - her first time away from her living father, really - and at the same time organizes to get together with her grandparents. Meeting them makes Celia realize that even if "dad Shawn" told her lots (and lots of odd stuff) he really has kept her in the dark about some things.
My second Norman Prentiss, but it won't be my last - well written and quite unique. I would have liked this one to be a bit longer, but if that's the only complaint, you of course realize it's a mighty good read.
My second Norman Prentiss, but it won't be my last - well written and quite unique. I would have liked this one to be a bit longer, but if that's the only complaint, you of course realize it's a mighty good read.
July 19, 2016
ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER, by Norman Prentiss, is not a book that fits neatly into any one or two categories. Instead, we have a sometimes humorous, emotional, fantasy/science-fiction, horror, sorrow, supernatural, and even the romance genre thrown into one incredibly spellbinding tale. Sound confusing?
Probably--but once you pick it up, you realize how seamlessly they all blend together. Anyone that "knows" me, realizes that I just do NOT review/read romance novels, so I feel the need to stress that this was not "simply one of those". Yes, there is a long-time love here that provides the background for the entire tale, but it is a mature, necessary foundation that all the individual scenes are based upon. If I were pressed to put this novel into two words, they would be: Hauntingly Beautiful.
Fourteen year old Celia had two fathers, Jack, and Shawn. Unfortunately, Dad Jack died when she was only four years old. Most of Celia's "memories" of him are actually tales that Dad Shawn shares with her about their early lives together, in a bigoted 1980's world. When asked about her family, Celia replies quite simply: ". . . You take what life gives you. Comparisons are never quite as simple as they seem."
This is her reality. As she grows, Dad Shawn shares more and more of his and Jack's "reality". Some of the adventures he dictates are true horror/fantasy. Others are merely the products of an unfortunately homophobic world at that time. Still others graze the genre of supernatural, as well as a unique connection between the two men that allows for Shawn to "see" his partner's projected thoughts as visions . . .
These adventures recounted to Celia are magical for both she and her father. The question that you may find nagging in the back of your head is, are they magical just for them, or are they TRUE magic . . .
A story of the bonding love between a family, a daughter's desire to know more about the father she lost at such a young age, the sorrow of the father left behind, and of secrets and truths yet untold. ". . . an even better gift--. . . A true reunion."
If the ending to this tale isn't enough to completely envelope your entire mind for a spell, then the magic simply may not have worked for you.
As for myself, it is among the top ten novels I've already read this year.
Highest recommendation!
Probably--but once you pick it up, you realize how seamlessly they all blend together. Anyone that "knows" me, realizes that I just do NOT review/read romance novels, so I feel the need to stress that this was not "simply one of those". Yes, there is a long-time love here that provides the background for the entire tale, but it is a mature, necessary foundation that all the individual scenes are based upon. If I were pressed to put this novel into two words, they would be: Hauntingly Beautiful.
Fourteen year old Celia had two fathers, Jack, and Shawn. Unfortunately, Dad Jack died when she was only four years old. Most of Celia's "memories" of him are actually tales that Dad Shawn shares with her about their early lives together, in a bigoted 1980's world. When asked about her family, Celia replies quite simply: ". . . You take what life gives you. Comparisons are never quite as simple as they seem."
This is her reality. As she grows, Dad Shawn shares more and more of his and Jack's "reality". Some of the adventures he dictates are true horror/fantasy. Others are merely the products of an unfortunately homophobic world at that time. Still others graze the genre of supernatural, as well as a unique connection between the two men that allows for Shawn to "see" his partner's projected thoughts as visions . . .
These adventures recounted to Celia are magical for both she and her father. The question that you may find nagging in the back of your head is, are they magical just for them, or are they TRUE magic . . .
A story of the bonding love between a family, a daughter's desire to know more about the father she lost at such a young age, the sorrow of the father left behind, and of secrets and truths yet untold. ". . . an even better gift--. . . A true reunion."
If the ending to this tale isn't enough to completely envelope your entire mind for a spell, then the magic simply may not have worked for you.
As for myself, it is among the top ten novels I've already read this year.
Highest recommendation!
May 1, 2016
This soon-to-be genre-redefining classic, Odd Adventures with your Other Father, is a must read for anyone who likes to read good books. Period. I like to reiterate frequently that I am a horror fan because that is my genre of choice, but when the opportunity came a-knockin' - I didn't make it knock twice. Although not strictly horror, any book by Norman Prentiss is a book that I want to read, and as always, I wasn't disappointed. This supernatural-horror-semi-romantic-comedy of literary awesomeness (can you say that twice?) is an adventure that you won't want to pass up.
Shawn and Jack are your average closeted 80's gay couple from first glance. In a time where more people were homophobic than not, they weren't stupid but they were very much in love. When the two embark on a road trip after college, little do they know that it will not only be the thing that defines their relationship but the start of a bond that defies the laws of the natural world. Fast forward to the present when teenaged Celia is being raised by her remaining father and the stories of Shawn and Jack's road trip adventures is her only link to the father that she barely remembers. When the stories inspire her to dig deeper into her family's history she'll unearth more than just the secrets her father has tried to keep buried.
Odd Adventures with Your Other Father will make you laugh, smile, and cry - all at the same time. A somehow happy and yet heartbreaking tale of two people whose time together was cut short but whose memories are enough to make up a lifetime. Odd has enough supernatural/horror aspects for me to feel that I wasn't wandering too far away from my home base but is mellow enough that non-horror fans won't be scarred for life.
A Kindle Scout winner (survivor?), Odd Adventures from Your Other Father will be up for pre-order hopefully soon and if you voted it should be on your Kindles even sooner. :)
Shawn and Jack are your average closeted 80's gay couple from first glance. In a time where more people were homophobic than not, they weren't stupid but they were very much in love. When the two embark on a road trip after college, little do they know that it will not only be the thing that defines their relationship but the start of a bond that defies the laws of the natural world. Fast forward to the present when teenaged Celia is being raised by her remaining father and the stories of Shawn and Jack's road trip adventures is her only link to the father that she barely remembers. When the stories inspire her to dig deeper into her family's history she'll unearth more than just the secrets her father has tried to keep buried.
Odd Adventures with Your Other Father will make you laugh, smile, and cry - all at the same time. A somehow happy and yet heartbreaking tale of two people whose time together was cut short but whose memories are enough to make up a lifetime. Odd has enough supernatural/horror aspects for me to feel that I wasn't wandering too far away from my home base but is mellow enough that non-horror fans won't be scarred for life.
A Kindle Scout winner (survivor?), Odd Adventures from Your Other Father will be up for pre-order hopefully soon and if you voted it should be on your Kindles even sooner. :)
June 16, 2016
Celia's dad Jack died when she was four. This is his story. A story of his special gifts. It is a story of love, family, fantasy and horror.
I truly enjoyed this one from Norman Prentiss. For whatever reason, it was not an easy read, although that had more to do with the way I read it (in bits and pieces), rather than how it was written. The story was original and refreshing. I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going, but definitely enjoyed the ride. Not particularly a horror read, which is my preferred genre, but this will motivate me to look up some of this authors other works. I have only read one short story by him in the past. Luckily, I have several NP’s on the tbr. They just got bumped up a few notches.
Solid characterizations and storytelling on display here. 4.5 Stars and Highly Recommended.
*I am only rounding this to four stars because there were a few loose ends that I was eager to see how they played out, but I reserve the right to change my mind and round up at a later date. (It’s a 5 Star read on Amazon) I hear there is a sequel in the works, HAUNTED PLACES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER, so maybe that will give me the desired closure. Nice.
P.S. Yeah, I get that all stories can’t be wrapped up nice with a little bow, and I don’t require it to thoroughly enjoy a read, but I was just hoping for a wee more from this one.
I truly enjoyed this one from Norman Prentiss. For whatever reason, it was not an easy read, although that had more to do with the way I read it (in bits and pieces), rather than how it was written. The story was original and refreshing. I wasn’t entirely sure where it was going, but definitely enjoyed the ride. Not particularly a horror read, which is my preferred genre, but this will motivate me to look up some of this authors other works. I have only read one short story by him in the past. Luckily, I have several NP’s on the tbr. They just got bumped up a few notches.
Solid characterizations and storytelling on display here. 4.5 Stars and Highly Recommended.
*I am only rounding this to four stars because there were a few loose ends that I was eager to see how they played out, but I reserve the right to change my mind and round up at a later date. (It’s a 5 Star read on Amazon) I hear there is a sequel in the works, HAUNTED PLACES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER, so maybe that will give me the desired closure. Nice.
P.S. Yeah, I get that all stories can’t be wrapped up nice with a little bow, and I don’t require it to thoroughly enjoy a read, but I was just hoping for a wee more from this one.
May 20, 2016
Odd Adventures With Your Other Father is a wonderful little book, with all kinds of emotional and narrative layering.
Although it is structurally a bit dissimilar, it resonated in a similar way with me and reminded me of Stephen King’s Hearts In Atlantis – this book is a series of short stories, as relayed by Celia’s father, Shawn, to her, and tied up around Celia’s own journey to dig even deeper into the history of her other father, Jack.
Jack and Shawn are a closeted couple, and Shawn tells Celia of their road trip across the country in 1985, following their graduation from college. Jack has a gift, a glamor, and, thanks to their bond, can transmit imagery only to Shawn. At first it’s a bit of a gag, but as they find themselves in more precarious situations Jack’s gift takes on more of a tone of warning in order to protect them both. Across a series vignettes, Shawn tells their adopted daughter about their travels to strange locales and close encounters with the paranormal.
Each of Shawn’s stories are well told and Prentiss uses this character as narrator masterfully. I couldn’t help but get wrapped up in Shawn’s stories myself, and was eager for more. Just as good is Celia’s own adventures. Throughout it all, you get a wonderful sense of familial love and deep, honest affection that really tugs at the heartstrings. This is definitely a family I’d like to spend more time. Thankfully, in a recent interview Prentiss revealed he is working on a sequel to this book called Haunted Places With Your Other Father, which I’ll definitely be looking forward to.
Although it is structurally a bit dissimilar, it resonated in a similar way with me and reminded me of Stephen King’s Hearts In Atlantis – this book is a series of short stories, as relayed by Celia’s father, Shawn, to her, and tied up around Celia’s own journey to dig even deeper into the history of her other father, Jack.
Jack and Shawn are a closeted couple, and Shawn tells Celia of their road trip across the country in 1985, following their graduation from college. Jack has a gift, a glamor, and, thanks to their bond, can transmit imagery only to Shawn. At first it’s a bit of a gag, but as they find themselves in more precarious situations Jack’s gift takes on more of a tone of warning in order to protect them both. Across a series vignettes, Shawn tells their adopted daughter about their travels to strange locales and close encounters with the paranormal.
Each of Shawn’s stories are well told and Prentiss uses this character as narrator masterfully. I couldn’t help but get wrapped up in Shawn’s stories myself, and was eager for more. Just as good is Celia’s own adventures. Throughout it all, you get a wonderful sense of familial love and deep, honest affection that really tugs at the heartstrings. This is definitely a family I’d like to spend more time. Thankfully, in a recent interview Prentiss revealed he is working on a sequel to this book called Haunted Places With Your Other Father, which I’ll definitely be looking forward to.
December 28, 2023
Celia's father Jack died when she was four, so she only has hazy memories of him. Her father Shawn attempts to give Celia a greater understanding of Jack, as well as the relationship between her fathers, by relaying to Celia tales of the "odd adventures" the two experienced during a year of post-college travel funded by a writing prize Jack received upon graduation. But thanks to Jack's ability to project unsettling psychic images to his partner, his interest in strange phenomena, and the rampant homophobia of the 1980s, the stories are anything but quaint and romantic travelogues.
As other reviewers have noted, Odd Adventures With Your Other Father is an impossible book to pigeonhole. It's fantastical, a bit of a coming of age story (for both Celia in the present and her fathers in the past), and a collection of effectively creepy horror tales told in the framework of a family drama and a love story, which doesn't seem like it should work but thanks to Norman Prentiss, it does. This book was both moving and frightening, and I will definitely pick up the sequel.
As other reviewers have noted, Odd Adventures With Your Other Father is an impossible book to pigeonhole. It's fantastical, a bit of a coming of age story (for both Celia in the present and her fathers in the past), and a collection of effectively creepy horror tales told in the framework of a family drama and a love story, which doesn't seem like it should work but thanks to Norman Prentiss, it does. This book was both moving and frightening, and I will definitely pick up the sequel.
February 7, 2017
An absolutely beautiful book that seamlessly combines love and monsters. One of the most truly unique and unforgettable reads I've ever come across.
November 7, 2016
ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER is arguably one of the most important novels of the 21st century. I know, you are saying to yourself, 'really?' My answer would be a resounding yes! It is a book that could be easily pigeonholed in one of several different genre, but to do that would do the book, and its author Norman Prentiss, a grave disservice.
As I began to read, I had a thought or two as to where the story was going. I soon gave up on such speculation because it was going in one direction and that direction captured my mind and my heart and my soul.
We are living in a time where big change has become the norm. Life seems to be moving faster than ever before. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with a lot of the social change in our world. As if keeping up was not enough, the embracing of social change would almost demand a primer. I will grant that this is easier for some of us than others, but at some point human equality will be not only the law of the land, but the social norm as well.
ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER could be that primer. I cannot think of anyone to whom I would not recommend this book. It is well written, has wonderful characters, and hits all the high points of a good story. It is about love, and family, and coming of age, yet never becomes sappy or maudlin. In its own way, here is a page turner that won't make you chew your fingernails to the quick.
What more can I say? Buy a copy. Read it. Write a review, and recommend it to your friends!
As I began to read, I had a thought or two as to where the story was going. I soon gave up on such speculation because it was going in one direction and that direction captured my mind and my heart and my soul.
We are living in a time where big change has become the norm. Life seems to be moving faster than ever before. Sometimes it is difficult to keep up with a lot of the social change in our world. As if keeping up was not enough, the embracing of social change would almost demand a primer. I will grant that this is easier for some of us than others, but at some point human equality will be not only the law of the land, but the social norm as well.
ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER could be that primer. I cannot think of anyone to whom I would not recommend this book. It is well written, has wonderful characters, and hits all the high points of a good story. It is about love, and family, and coming of age, yet never becomes sappy or maudlin. In its own way, here is a page turner that won't make you chew your fingernails to the quick.
What more can I say? Buy a copy. Read it. Write a review, and recommend it to your friends!
January 24, 2019
I received this book as part of a grab bag from Cemetery Dance publication. A signed hardback available in April of 2019.
The book is well written and the phobias about the two main characters Jack and Shawn are real as they are both homosexual and have raised Cecila. Jack dies when Cecila is four years old. Thus Shawn tells Celia about the time when he and Jack went on an adventure, one in which involves supernatural elements along with a church whose member wants to cure the two of their homosexual without any regards to their own personal sins.
There is a back and forth from the telling of the trip to present day when Celia is let off at summer camp then later has her own supernatural experience. This back and forth is not a hindrance as the author keeps those chapters involving Celia short and focus more on the trip her two fathers take. The ending chapters are not rushed by any means.
Couple of issues with the story.
A constant reminder that Celia lost her other father when she was young. Anyone reading the back cover can already establish that fact.
The constant reminder that Jake and Shawn are gay. Over stating the obvious.
There is no mentioning of how Jake is able to create illusions. Such as starting a fire, hanging himself and other examples.
These issues dropped an otherwise terrific story to a 4.5 stars
The book is well written and the phobias about the two main characters Jack and Shawn are real as they are both homosexual and have raised Cecila. Jack dies when Cecila is four years old. Thus Shawn tells Celia about the time when he and Jack went on an adventure, one in which involves supernatural elements along with a church whose member wants to cure the two of their homosexual without any regards to their own personal sins.
There is a back and forth from the telling of the trip to present day when Celia is let off at summer camp then later has her own supernatural experience. This back and forth is not a hindrance as the author keeps those chapters involving Celia short and focus more on the trip her two fathers take. The ending chapters are not rushed by any means.
Couple of issues with the story.
A constant reminder that Celia lost her other father when she was young. Anyone reading the back cover can already establish that fact.
The constant reminder that Jake and Shawn are gay. Over stating the obvious.
There is no mentioning of how Jake is able to create illusions. Such as starting a fire, hanging himself and other examples.
These issues dropped an otherwise terrific story to a 4.5 stars
May 1, 2017
Odd Adventures with your Other Father is a book that will haunt me for a long time. It’s Jack and Shawn’s love story, it’s horror in the shadows of normal life, and it’s a teenager’s grief and adaptation after loss.
July 16, 2016
I rarely get on the "Buy This Book Now" train, but this is one I would recommend to just about everyone I know. It's not a book that shouts at you, but is one that was crafted with love and time and expertise rarely seen these days.
It's the story of a father recounting his tales to his daughter of her "other father," his partner who passed away when she was young. But there's so much more going on within these retellings, much of which isn't fully revealed until the end.
(Speaking of the ending, this is one of the best endings I've read in a novel -- beautiful and touching, it was quite simply magical.)
What Prentiss accomplishes with this novel, beyond the clever storytelling and great characterizations, is a reverent look back at the challenges homosexual couples faced in the past, without ever getting on a soapbox about it. There's no preaching here, but what you'll find is a love story interwoven within these "odd adventures" that is as touching as it is poignant. In fact, I would highly suggest this read for any readers who do struggle with understanding or accepting homosexuality. It may just open your eyes and help you appreciate those who are different from your own ways of thinking without the heavy-handedness you might expect.
Beautiful, haunting, and cleverly told, this has made it onto my shelf of favorites for the year.
It's the story of a father recounting his tales to his daughter of her "other father," his partner who passed away when she was young. But there's so much more going on within these retellings, much of which isn't fully revealed until the end.
(Speaking of the ending, this is one of the best endings I've read in a novel -- beautiful and touching, it was quite simply magical.)
What Prentiss accomplishes with this novel, beyond the clever storytelling and great characterizations, is a reverent look back at the challenges homosexual couples faced in the past, without ever getting on a soapbox about it. There's no preaching here, but what you'll find is a love story interwoven within these "odd adventures" that is as touching as it is poignant. In fact, I would highly suggest this read for any readers who do struggle with understanding or accepting homosexuality. It may just open your eyes and help you appreciate those who are different from your own ways of thinking without the heavy-handedness you might expect.
Beautiful, haunting, and cleverly told, this has made it onto my shelf of favorites for the year.
September 8, 2016
Odd Adventures with Your Other Father is a Kindle Scout winner written by Norman Prentiss. After reading just a few pages I began to see why the book was accepted for publication by Kindle Press. This is a genre-bending, no holds barred novel combining horror, comedy, love, and coming of age drama. The heart of the narrative is Shawn’s recounting his, well, odd adventures with his partner, Jack, to his teenage daughter. Jack died when Celia was four and Shawn thinks it is time to share the year-long adventures the two young men had right after they graduated from college. Jack had a way of involving them in a series of thrilling and frequently terrifying exploits involving supernatural events, much to Shawn’s chagrin. The tales told by Shawn are uniquely different and quite terrifying (they’d make unnerving short stories in and of themselves). Prentiss’ literary skill makes these hauntings come alive and he manages to weave threads of humor that often had me smiling while gripping my Kindle. As the novel progresses, Prentiss is able to explore the complexity of human love and interconnected relationships among family. While Odd Adventures with Your Other Father can probably be categorized as horror, readers are treated to a journey of human emotion in a range often not explored in the genre. A fantastic read.
April 21, 2017
Twistingly interesting
A quick cool read. A little odd but kind of cool in the imagery and metaphor..... a good , fun creepy read.
A quick cool read. A little odd but kind of cool in the imagery and metaphor..... a good , fun creepy read.
April 29, 2016
This is a wonderful story told in stories by a father to his daughter about her other father who died when she was very young. The two men had were very much in love and had a strong connection - a supernatural connection which led to some incredible tales!
I was lucky enough to read the entire book and help Norm Prentiss promote ODD ADVENTURES to the Kindle Scout program.
I was lucky enough to read the entire book and help Norm Prentiss promote ODD ADVENTURES to the Kindle Scout program.
June 20, 2019
An excellent read! Surprising in many ways, as well as poignant and really well written. My second book by this author and I’ll continue to seek him out. The story took twists and turns that I couldn’t expect, included some horror and fantasy, and ended in a sweet and moving way. Highly recommend this book and this author.
July 21, 2016
Wonderful, of course. Review soon at cemeterydanceonline.com.
June 10, 2016
I haven't read the author before, but wanted to try him and got this book through the kindle scout program. Apparently it had a lot of fans. I don't think I'd count myself among them per se, but I did appreciate certain things about it, so this is a mixed review. Plot wise this was something of a mish mash, a love story with supernatural (possibly metaphoric as in passion and youth create their own world) elements interlaced with a family drama. Writing wise it was actually pretty good. Context wise...well, the basic message of gay is ok is somewhat heavy handed at times, the stories, especially the one featuring the gay conversion therapy succubus seemed very inappropriate for a young girl, even a precocious intelligent one. The storytelling format seemed directly ripped off the inexplicably popular tv show, though the stories themselves were quite imaginary. The author is primarily known for his horror writing and it certainly shows. In fact, it makes one interested to try out his other books, maybe more genre restricted. So this was a decent read, well written, imaginative, didn't particularly sing for me, but seems like it did for many. Quick too.
June 1, 2022
i was in a terrible reading slump when i picked this up. this is one of the best books i have ever read. it has literally everything, it is a whole life: it is love, terror, rage, warmth and peace. it made me nauseous, had me on the edge of my set, moved me to (happy) tears and had me terrified that a sound in my bathroom was an intruder. the book may as well be breathing.
i realize i may feel differently had this book been built up in my mind before i got my hands on it, but as with watching movies without knowing the genre, this type of unknowing led me to fall head over heels in love with this book. found myself in it as well as my late sister in the last pages and sobbed the most cathartic tears. thank you, Norman. i couldnt put this down. a true gift.
i realize i may feel differently had this book been built up in my mind before i got my hands on it, but as with watching movies without knowing the genre, this type of unknowing led me to fall head over heels in love with this book. found myself in it as well as my late sister in the last pages and sobbed the most cathartic tears. thank you, Norman. i couldnt put this down. a true gift.
April 6, 2017
En horreur, les personnages homosexuels sont souvent les méchants ou les victimes. Ici, ce sont les héros, des personnages solides et attachants qui ne sont pas uniquement définis par leur orientation sexuelle.
Drôle d'histoire, récit d'amour et de deuil avec des éléments horrifiques, ponctué de quelques silences volontaires. Roman original et rafraichissant avec quelques images saisissantes, qui a réussi à me faire pleurer.
Drôle d'histoire, récit d'amour et de deuil avec des éléments horrifiques, ponctué de quelques silences volontaires. Roman original et rafraichissant avec quelques images saisissantes, qui a réussi à me faire pleurer.
August 26, 2016
It's like Love Story and Big Fish had a baby and it was adopted by King and Koontz! Loved it, what a trip!
November 10, 2022
Where to even start? This is one of the best books I've read this year. That is high praise considering I've read almost 200 so far. At its heart, it's a book about the importance of family. It's horror, it's fantasy, it's grief, it's beautiful. I didn't expect to sob at the end, but here we are. I immediately started the second book and will be reading the rest of Norman Prentiss' books.
October 13, 2019
What’s the opposite of magical realism? Real magicism? That’s the closest I can come to categorizing Odd Adventures With Your Other Father. Not that it really needs categorization: it’s just a fantastic story, well-told.
It’s also, I was a little surprised to find, about a gay couple in the 1980s, and their travels throughout America, framed in part as a series of stories told by one dad to his daughter. The last creepy story I read involving gay husbands with a daughter was the ultra-terrifying home invasion story The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay. I was understandably hesitant.
But while Odd Adventures has elements of horror, at its heart it’s a love story. Two men against the world, facing horrors that can occasionally be read as metaphors but that work equally well as fiction. The fact that these men are gay isn’t incidental and isn’t one of those “just happens to be gay” type stories. This basic fact of their identity follows them and haunts them across their trip through America, finding them in small towns and big cities that always seem to be testing their resolve. (Other stories are hinted at, and my only real complaint here is that I wanted to read those other stories, too.)
But theirs is an uncommonly strong bond, one that trips irrevocably into the supernatural, and is made even stronger for it. That bond continues beyond even death, leaving us with a brilliant, satisfying ending I could never have predicted. Scary, sweet, and ultimately wonderful. I really loved this book.
May 24, 2017
What a lovely book.
Wow, what a lovely, wonderful, and thought provoking book. I can say one thing, more. Yes, I want more tales of odd adventures with you other father. I want Celia to tell us more stories about Shawn and Jack. I want to hear stories of them encountering a werewolf, of them visiting a quiet New England village only to find out that something is lurking in the caves down at the edge of town. I want stories on how deep in the Rocky Mountain they found a cave, and in their explorations of that cave came across a settlement of mining dwarves, ones digging for gemstones and gold. Or stories about their encountering Elves, singing beneath the Stars one glorious night where every star, every galaxy reflected brightly memories of their lost home.
Those are the adventures I want. I know Shawn has more to tell of that wonderful year he and Jack traveled the country. There are also stories about how they created a loving home, and how Celia, their daughter came into their lives.
Yes, there must be more Odd Adventures, more normal adventures, and also more horrifying adventures too. I want them all.
Thank you Norman, thank you for creating Shawn and Jack and their daughter Celia. Thank you for sharing their odd adventures.
Wow, what a lovely, wonderful, and thought provoking book. I can say one thing, more. Yes, I want more tales of odd adventures with you other father. I want Celia to tell us more stories about Shawn and Jack. I want to hear stories of them encountering a werewolf, of them visiting a quiet New England village only to find out that something is lurking in the caves down at the edge of town. I want stories on how deep in the Rocky Mountain they found a cave, and in their explorations of that cave came across a settlement of mining dwarves, ones digging for gemstones and gold. Or stories about their encountering Elves, singing beneath the Stars one glorious night where every star, every galaxy reflected brightly memories of their lost home.
Those are the adventures I want. I know Shawn has more to tell of that wonderful year he and Jack traveled the country. There are also stories about how they created a loving home, and how Celia, their daughter came into their lives.
Yes, there must be more Odd Adventures, more normal adventures, and also more horrifying adventures too. I want them all.
Thank you Norman, thank you for creating Shawn and Jack and their daughter Celia. Thank you for sharing their odd adventures.
September 1, 2017
REVIEWED: Odd Adventures with your Other Father
WRITTEN BY: Norman Prentiss
PUBLISHED: May, 2016
ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER by Norman Prentiss is one of those beautifully written books that manages to capture a number of smaller stories within the greater plot while also crossing literary and genre boundaries. It’s a journey of self and of the past for teenage Celia, who is daughter of two gay fathers, one of whom died tragically when she was very young. She learns of him through stories and through her own methods of investigation. Heartwarming, haunting, funny, and meaningful, ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER is highly recommended.
Five out of Five stars
WRITTEN BY: Norman Prentiss
PUBLISHED: May, 2016
ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER by Norman Prentiss is one of those beautifully written books that manages to capture a number of smaller stories within the greater plot while also crossing literary and genre boundaries. It’s a journey of self and of the past for teenage Celia, who is daughter of two gay fathers, one of whom died tragically when she was very young. She learns of him through stories and through her own methods of investigation. Heartwarming, haunting, funny, and meaningful, ODD ADVENTURES WITH YOUR OTHER FATHER is highly recommended.
Five out of Five stars
June 7, 2017
Imagination combines with obscure historical research to create a refreshingly different, horrifying world. The reader gets to know the daughter through the stories her father tells about his adventures with her "other father," who passed away years before. Tons of unexpected twists in loosely related stories, which are tied together in a heart-touching way at the end. Even though it's made of many different elements, there's nothing disconnected about it. Its main mode is bizarre, sometimes scary images, with a wonderful ending! Perfect for the reader in search of something different.
March 8, 2021
Wat aanvankelijk overkomt als een verzameling losse verhalen met een bovennatuurlijk tintje, aan elkaar gelinkt door een rode draad, blijkt uiteindelijk een zoektocht naar identiteit binnen een weefsel van moeilijke familierelaties tegen een achtergrond van homofobie.
Dit kan complex en zwaar lijken, maar dat is het boek helemaal niet. Norman Prentiss schrijft boeiend en bouwt mooie verhalen op... mensen worden gelouterd, hebben zowel fysisch als psychisch pijn, maar uiteindelijk komt alles altijd in orde.
Een werk dat blijft nazinderen en dat je met spijt afsluit.
Dit kan complex en zwaar lijken, maar dat is het boek helemaal niet. Norman Prentiss schrijft boeiend en bouwt mooie verhalen op... mensen worden gelouterd, hebben zowel fysisch als psychisch pijn, maar uiteindelijk komt alles altijd in orde.
Een werk dat blijft nazinderen en dat je met spijt afsluit.
July 25, 2016
Wow. I'm not sure I have the words to describe this book, and how much I enjoyed it. Heartbreaking. Uplifting. Intriguing. Amusing. Creative. Original. Well, it's a start anyway, but not nearly enough. On the surface, the story is about a father telling his daughter stories about her other father (now deceased) as a way to try to get to know him, and what he meant to them. It's really about life, love, family, and so much more. Just read it. You won't regret it. I guarantee it. :-)
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