Odd Koontz
As I turned the last page of Koontz’s Forever Odd, an inevitable comparison came to mind. Somehow, as usually the case with a sequel, Forever Odd is a bit less satisfying than Odd Thomas. It is still a good read, though.
A memorable excerpt from the novel: "beauty that steals the heart is often imperfect, suggests grace and kindness, and inspires tenderness more than it incites lust". Hmm, kind of reminds me of someone. =)
I have been reading Koontz for almost 5 years now, with more than 20 titles in collection and still counting. Koontz has an inimitable knack to keep me riveted to his pages, with his rich and smart vocabulary. I also enjoy his witty, sometimes black, sense of humor. Despite the fact that his books are usually placed on “Science Fiction/Thriller/Horror” shelves in major bookstores, reading any of Koontz books never fails to incite an occasional smile or delighted laughter. After all, reading is supposed to be something soothing, not depressing.
In essence, Koontz never fails to deliver because he stays true to the following features:
Koontz is an avid dog lover, and if you are a dog lover yourself, you should see Trixie, his golden retriever. Guaranteed to make you smile. Koontz’s “fatherly love” for dogs is also clearly highlighted in virtually all of his books: the book credits e.g. Forever Odd is dedicated to Trixie, “an angel on four feet”; the feature of canines as the protagonists in many of his books e.g. in Fear Nothing, The Taking, One Door Away from Heaven, and of course, Watchers; and the author’s jacket photograph that often features the grinning Trixie.
Cats, on the other hand, have often fared worse in his novels (I read that Mr. Koontz is allergic to felines). Though cats do appear occasionally, these are usually cameo roles and seldom the protagonists. Perhaps two notable exceptions would be the smart feline Mungojerrie in the Christopher Snow novels and Terrible Chester of the Pico Mundo. Hey, this brings up to mind an old question: What’s the difference between dogs, cats, and pigs? Answer: Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you, and pigs look you in the eyes and treat you as equal.
In addition, no matter how seemingly fantastic the novel begins, Koontz usually, more often than not, attempts to give plausible, logical, and consistent explanations. These elucidations often come in unique genetic traits or natal conditions. I am grateful for his efforts, as I'd hate to find his books on "Fantasy" section.
Koontz also believes in the ideal of that love and compassion can save one life from the apparent absurdities of existence and the cruelties of life. Perhaps Koontz suffers from an enduring naïveté, in which he insists on seeing the world as black and white; good and evil; joys and sorrows; above and below (yet another line from Forever Odd springs up: "ascending to the darkness"). Almost an oxymoron.
His "naïveté" also materializes in a “happy ending” for most of the main characters, which is one of the main reasons for me to keep reading his books. I mean, what's the point of laughing out loud throughout the book and brooding at the end?
The bottom line, I recommend Koontz’s novels if you either are:
- An upholder of dreams and perseverance.
- A naïve who has a strong belief in the eventual triumph of good over evil.
- A novel enthusiast with a taste for a good tale with a happy ending.
- A dog lover who wants to take the daring adventures of Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, or Snowy, to the next level.
- Just idling on a Saturday night and in need of a literary yet entertaining companion.
______________________________________________________
Hope is the destination that we seek.
Love is the road that leads to hope.
Courage is the motor that drives us.
We travel out of darkness into faith.
The Book of Counted Sorrows, as quoted from Intensity.
A memorable excerpt from the novel: "beauty that steals the heart is often imperfect, suggests grace and kindness, and inspires tenderness more than it incites lust". Hmm, kind of reminds me of someone. =)
I have been reading Koontz for almost 5 years now, with more than 20 titles in collection and still counting. Koontz has an inimitable knack to keep me riveted to his pages, with his rich and smart vocabulary. I also enjoy his witty, sometimes black, sense of humor. Despite the fact that his books are usually placed on “Science Fiction/Thriller/Horror” shelves in major bookstores, reading any of Koontz books never fails to incite an occasional smile or delighted laughter. After all, reading is supposed to be something soothing, not depressing.
In essence, Koontz never fails to deliver because he stays true to the following features:
Koontz is an avid dog lover, and if you are a dog lover yourself, you should see Trixie, his golden retriever. Guaranteed to make you smile. Koontz’s “fatherly love” for dogs is also clearly highlighted in virtually all of his books: the book credits e.g. Forever Odd is dedicated to Trixie, “an angel on four feet”; the feature of canines as the protagonists in many of his books e.g. in Fear Nothing, The Taking, One Door Away from Heaven, and of course, Watchers; and the author’s jacket photograph that often features the grinning Trixie.
Cats, on the other hand, have often fared worse in his novels (I read that Mr. Koontz is allergic to felines). Though cats do appear occasionally, these are usually cameo roles and seldom the protagonists. Perhaps two notable exceptions would be the smart feline Mungojerrie in the Christopher Snow novels and Terrible Chester of the Pico Mundo. Hey, this brings up to mind an old question: What’s the difference between dogs, cats, and pigs? Answer: Dogs look up to you, cats look down on you, and pigs look you in the eyes and treat you as equal.
In addition, no matter how seemingly fantastic the novel begins, Koontz usually, more often than not, attempts to give plausible, logical, and consistent explanations. These elucidations often come in unique genetic traits or natal conditions. I am grateful for his efforts, as I'd hate to find his books on "Fantasy" section.
Koontz also believes in the ideal of that love and compassion can save one life from the apparent absurdities of existence and the cruelties of life. Perhaps Koontz suffers from an enduring naïveté, in which he insists on seeing the world as black and white; good and evil; joys and sorrows; above and below (yet another line from Forever Odd springs up: "ascending to the darkness"). Almost an oxymoron.
His "naïveté" also materializes in a “happy ending” for most of the main characters, which is one of the main reasons for me to keep reading his books. I mean, what's the point of laughing out loud throughout the book and brooding at the end?
The bottom line, I recommend Koontz’s novels if you either are:
- An upholder of dreams and perseverance.
- A naïve who has a strong belief in the eventual triumph of good over evil.
- A novel enthusiast with a taste for a good tale with a happy ending.
- A dog lover who wants to take the daring adventures of Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, or Snowy, to the next level.
- Just idling on a Saturday night and in need of a literary yet entertaining companion.
______________________________________________________
Hope is the destination that we seek.
Love is the road that leads to hope.
Courage is the motor that drives us.
We travel out of darkness into faith.
The Book of Counted Sorrows, as quoted from Intensity.
No comments:
Post a Comment