The Weirdo

By: Theodore Taylor

Narrated by: George Guidall

They call him the Weirdo. No one knows much about the 17-year-old bear tracker with the horribly scarred face - except that he lives in the eerie swamp where Samantha Sanders found a dead body. But one night Samantha wanders into the dark swamp and meets the Weirdo. She listens to his shocking story, looks into his gentle soul, and becomes his friend. And when she stumbles across another body, Samantha knows that the Weirdo is the only one who can help her. Together, they begin a search for the killer who is stalking innocent victims through the murky waters and dangerous marshes of the swamp.

For over 25 years, Theodore Taylor has thrilled millions of young adults with his brilliantly crafted, chilling novels of suspense. The Weirdo is one of Taylor’s best - an Edgar Award-winning mystery that combines heart-thumping suspense, realistic characters, and unforgettable images of the North Carolina swamplands.

©1991 Theodore Taylor (P)1996 Recorded Books

A Fun Read

I hesitated to read The Weirdo because of the title. However, because it is narrated by my favorite reader, George Guidall, I took a chance. The chance paid off. I found the story of Sam and her disfigured but brave boyfriend Chip totally charming and engrossing. Something about the story reminded me of Harper Lee’s narrative style in To Kill a Mockingbird. I could relate to the clash between the bear-loving animal rights advocates and the down home red neck, gun toting inhabitants of the small backwoods town. Although there was violence and people died in this story, in the end justice prevailed. I loved this book and I recommend it as an informative and fun read.

Interesting

The story was well told and kept my interest throughout. It was informative and believable.