Different: The Odd Couple

The Odd Couple(1966)
Simon, Neil
Comedy, Romance
6/10 Rating
Disclaimers: Mild language, no F bombs.

A Gang of friends play poker every Friday. When one Friday one of their friends named Felix does not show up, they wonder why and soon learn that Felix is getting divorced from his wife. Felix finally arrives at the poker game. One friend named Oscar, who is also divorced, realizes he has been roughed up and offers Felix to live with him. Felix takes the offer and goes to live with Oscar. Oscar is a very sloppy and unorganized person with an "I don't care attitude". Where as Felix is the exact opposite. Felix constantly cleans up after Oscar and soon enough, he gets sick of it. So he moves out. When Felix comes to get his clothes, he and Oscar decide that they can put their differences aside so they can live happily with each other.

In the end when Felix moves out, they both realize the importance of friendship. And they see how both of them need somebody to lean on in times of trouble and hardship that they have both been through.

Simon is the kind of author that really focuses on getting the moral of the story across. He does this easily by making them drive each other crazy at the right times and finally just letting loose. He also keeps you  reading with the humor that he throws into this Tom and Jerry type plot line. But because this is a play you never realize these things in the way he writes.

This book is intended more for adults. It has adult language and has things in it that you need to have a quick mind to pick up on. I also think that this is especially for people that like plays and have read plays before. It is more difficult to read a play than a normal book. I also did not like this book that much because I am the type of person that does not even like to go watch a play. So that is why I believe that you need a taste for these kinds of books to want to read it.

I would not recommend this to any one who despises plays. I believe that I would have loved this book if I liked plays. I do, however applaud his writing style. In fact The New York Times says "His skill is not only great but constantly growing... There is scarcely a moment that is not hilarious". You know that is true also because New York Daily News confirms that by saying "Fresh,richly hilarious and remarkably original. Wildly, irresistibly, incredibly and continuously funny". Simon did do a slick job at keeping me decently entertained by weaving humor into his romantic story. Please read this book if you like plays because I have a feeling you will love it.