One Door Away from Heaven ***
Registered by phantomreader42 on 4/28/2003
6 journalers for this copy...
The third copy of this book I've registered. That's a hint how much I liked it. I'm planning on doing a bookray with it.
Books by Dean Koontz:
One Door Away From Heaven (2 nd copy) (3rd copy) (4th copy)
Watchers (2nd copy) (3rd copy) (4th copy)
Strangers
Sole Survivor
Phantoms
By the Light of the Moon
Icebound
Demon Seed
Fear Nothing
The Eyes of Darkness
Strange Highways
False Memory
From the Corner of His Eye
Lightning
Midnight
Authors Recommended by Dean Koontz:
Robert A. Heinlein
John D. MacDonald
Books by Dean Koontz:
One Door Away From Heaven (2 nd copy) (3rd copy) (4th copy)
Watchers (2nd copy) (3rd copy) (4th copy)
Strangers
Sole Survivor
Phantoms
By the Light of the Moon
Icebound
Demon Seed
Fear Nothing
The Eyes of Darkness
Strange Highways
False Memory
From the Corner of His Eye
Lightning
Midnight
Authors Recommended by Dean Koontz:
Robert A. Heinlein
John D. MacDonald
I have offered this book for a bookrayThe following people have asked to join:
AngelKitty (in Colorado)
stardustnf (in Canada)
Arina (in Portugal)
Eichhorn (in Germany)
WickedWordz (in Florida)
princessaurora (in PA, US only)
I'm going to copy the review from my original copy of this book:
This is the first Dean Koontz book I've read, but it won't be the last. It's an amazing book. Funny, inspiring, sometimes sad, sometimes frightening, always very good. Has some good things to say about humanity, and about dogs. My mom listened to this as an audiobook and enjoyed it, and I heard some of it and liked it so much I bought a copy to read. We find it hard to believe that the rest of his books could all be as good as this one, but we hope so.
I've registered three copies of this book, and I deliberately listed a different genre for each. This is a hard book to pin down. I've seen it in the horror section, and parts are frightening, but it's equally at home in Sci-fi or just in general Fiction, has elements of Mystery, and is funny enough at times to qualify as Humor.
This book weaves together multiple story threads. One follows a boy who has seen his mother murdered and is on the run from the killers, as well as the government which is chasing both him and the murderers who follow him. Another thread tells the sad story of a girl named Leilani Klonk, who prefers to be thought of as a mutant rather than a cripple, because she'd rather be feared than pitied, and her new friend Michelina Bellsong, who wishes to save Leilani if she can, but can hardly save herself. These stories, and a few others, split and rejoin and eventually come together to a climactic ending.
Sometimes the most frightening monsters are the human ones. In this book, Koontz speaks of "utilitarian bioethics," a vastly immoral branch of "ethics," which is not his invention but "... a real threat to you and to everyone you love." Utilitarian bioethics preaches limiting medical care to those who are "deserving" and "useful," and assisted (or forced) suicide for the "substandard" to supposedly "increase the total amount of happiness."
I loved this book. The dialogue is very well done, often quite funny at unexpected times. Some examples:
"If wishes were fishes, no hooks would be needed, no line and no rod, no reel and no patience. But wishes are merely wishes, swimming only the waters of the mind..."
"What a wonderfully unpredictable world it is, Micky, when being shot in the head can have an upside."
A pair of twins communicating by exchanging a meaningful look are described as having "perfected the telemetric stare."
After the ending but before the author's note is a poem:
SPOILER: The secret mission of Curtis Hammond
To read, highlight the blank area below. To skip, click here.
I got this idea from mrsordonez, who I think got it from N8an
"Curtis Hammond" is an alien shapeshifter (he is ten years old like he claims, but isn't a human ten-year-old). So was his mother, who was murdered by evil aliens. Curtis has been sent to save the human race, both from the monsters who killed his mother, and from ourselves. To do this, he has three powers, in addition to his shapeshifting ability. The first is the power to affect small objects by an act of will, sort of a combination of psychokinesis, quantum mechanics, and chaos theory. The second is the ability to form the boy-dog bond. The third power is the ability to pass the second power on to others. This is how he hopes to save the world. Apparently, there are creatures like dogs on most planets, intelligent but not too intelligent, innocent, and in tune with the universe and its Creator. The idea is that by bonding with dogs, mankind can grow closer to God, and to each other (notice that "dog" is "god" spelled backwards). Dean Koontz apparently REALLY likes dogs.
It took me a while to realize Curtis was an alien, but it explains a lot. He is very wise, unusually smart for a ten-year-old, but he knows virtually nothing of how this world really works, which provides a lot of the comic relief. This is probably how real aliens would be: they'd know the language, and have seen our movies, and have immensely advanced science, but they'd be completely baffled by everyday things.
This is the first Dean Koontz book I've read, but it won't be the last. It's an amazing book. Funny, inspiring, sometimes sad, sometimes frightening, always very good. Has some good things to say about humanity, and about dogs. My mom listened to this as an audiobook and enjoyed it, and I heard some of it and liked it so much I bought a copy to read. We find it hard to believe that the rest of his books could all be as good as this one, but we hope so.
I've registered three copies of this book, and I deliberately listed a different genre for each. This is a hard book to pin down. I've seen it in the horror section, and parts are frightening, but it's equally at home in Sci-fi or just in general Fiction, has elements of Mystery, and is funny enough at times to qualify as Humor.
This book weaves together multiple story threads. One follows a boy who has seen his mother murdered and is on the run from the killers, as well as the government which is chasing both him and the murderers who follow him. Another thread tells the sad story of a girl named Leilani Klonk, who prefers to be thought of as a mutant rather than a cripple, because she'd rather be feared than pitied, and her new friend Michelina Bellsong, who wishes to save Leilani if she can, but can hardly save herself. These stories, and a few others, split and rejoin and eventually come together to a climactic ending.
Sometimes the most frightening monsters are the human ones. In this book, Koontz speaks of "utilitarian bioethics," a vastly immoral branch of "ethics," which is not his invention but "... a real threat to you and to everyone you love." Utilitarian bioethics preaches limiting medical care to those who are "deserving" and "useful," and assisted (or forced) suicide for the "substandard" to supposedly "increase the total amount of happiness."
I loved this book. The dialogue is very well done, often quite funny at unexpected times. Some examples:
"If wishes were fishes, no hooks would be needed, no line and no rod, no reel and no patience. But wishes are merely wishes, swimming only the waters of the mind..."
"What a wonderfully unpredictable world it is, Micky, when being shot in the head can have an upside."
A pair of twins communicating by exchanging a meaningful look are described as having "perfected the telemetric stare."
After the ending but before the author's note is a poem:
"One door away from Heaven,
We live each day and hour.
One door away from Heaven,
But it lies beyond our power
To open the door to Heaven
And enter when we choose.
One door away from Heaven,
And the key is ours to lose.
One door away from Heaven,
But, oh, the entry dues.
--The Book Of Counted Sorrows"
SPOILER: The secret mission of Curtis Hammond
To read, highlight the blank area below. To skip, click here.
I got this idea from mrsordonez, who I think got it from N8an
"Curtis Hammond" is an alien shapeshifter (he is ten years old like he claims, but isn't a human ten-year-old). So was his mother, who was murdered by evil aliens. Curtis has been sent to save the human race, both from the monsters who killed his mother, and from ourselves. To do this, he has three powers, in addition to his shapeshifting ability. The first is the power to affect small objects by an act of will, sort of a combination of psychokinesis, quantum mechanics, and chaos theory. The second is the ability to form the boy-dog bond. The third power is the ability to pass the second power on to others. This is how he hopes to save the world. Apparently, there are creatures like dogs on most planets, intelligent but not too intelligent, innocent, and in tune with the universe and its Creator. The idea is that by bonding with dogs, mankind can grow closer to God, and to each other (notice that "dog" is "god" spelled backwards). Dean Koontz apparently REALLY likes dogs.
It took me a while to realize Curtis was an alien, but it explains a lot. He is very wise, unusually smart for a ten-year-old, but he knows virtually nothing of how this world really works, which provides a lot of the comic relief. This is probably how real aliens would be: they'd know the language, and have seen our movies, and have immensely advanced science, but they'd be completely baffled by everyday things.
Mailed to AngelKitty, along with Magicats! and Tailchaser's Song
I think this is an appropriate book for AngelKitty, whose bookshelf includes Sci-fi, Horror, and a book on Ethical theories.
I think this is an appropriate book for AngelKitty, whose bookshelf includes Sci-fi, Horror, and a book on Ethical theories.
I just finished this book, and realized that I had completely forgotten how much I love Dean Koontz. My first exposure to Dean Koontz was a book named Oddkins (which sadly, I never got to finish: we were reading it in class and I had to move). I've read one or two of his books since, and now I'm going to get back to reading him again (all those copies at the used book store just begging to be read and released!).And you have to admit, he does have a way with words (see my favorite quotes)
I haven't read such a well-crafted story in a while. I'm big on separate story lines that converge, and very carefully set-up facts that get turned on their head. Just when you think you've got Koontz, or even one of his characters pegged, he'll suprise you.
Favorite Quote 1:If the motel clerk looks like Anthony Perkins or if some guy at a service station looks like Anthony Hopkins, or if you meet a man anywhere that looks like Alec Baldwin, you kick him in the crotch before he has a chance to say two words, and you run.
Favorite Quote 2: "A pretty girl isn't safe in a town where there's so many politicians."
Journal Entry 6 by stardustnf from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada on Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Just received this in the mail from angelkitty as part of a bookray. I love Dean Koontz, and have been wanting to read this one for a while. I'll read it as quickly as I can and get it out to the next on the list.
Journal Entry 7 by stardustnf from St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador Canada on Tuesday, June 17, 2003
I'm a huge fan of Dean Koontz, and this book certainly didn't disappoint. As a matter of fact, I found it to be one of the best books I've read by him. His books are always well-written and intelligent, but this one also has a point to make, and he does it very well. I'd never actually heard the term "utilitarian bioethics," although I have seen its effects on many of the major decisions made today regarding the human race. That he was able to weave such a serious message into a well-crafted, often very humorous tale speaks of his amazing talent as a writer. I'd recommend this book to anyone, not just to those who are Koontz fans. And if you aren't a Koontz fan, then this might very well make you one!!
Now this book is off to Arina in Portugal. Enjoy!!
Now this book is off to Arina in Portugal. Enjoy!!
The book as arrived safe and sound! Thanks stardustnf for mailing it to me, and thank you phantomreader for organizing this ray. I simply love Dean Koontz's book and i can't wait to start on this one. It will take me a while though, for i've just now received another book from a ring, so please be patient. I'll try not to take too long.
Oops... i know i've kept this book for far too long... Sorry everyone!I'm sending it right away to Eichhorn, with my apolegies for making him wait all this time.
A very enjoyable reading. Funny and frightning at the same time, the book makes us question right and wrong and evaluate some of our moral beliefs. As always, Mr.Koontz takes us well into the minds of the characters, making us share their fears, hopes and disapointments ( i simply adored Leilani - even though she seamed far to adult to me at times). A very good story indeed!
As i said, mailing it to Germany as we speak!
Thank you for your patience!
A very enjoyable reading. Funny and frightning at the same time, the book makes us question right and wrong and evaluate some of our moral beliefs. As always, Mr.Koontz takes us well into the minds of the characters, making us share their fears, hopes and disapointments ( i simply adored Leilani - even though she seamed far to adult to me at times). A very good story indeed!
As i said, mailing it to Germany as we speak!
Thank you for your patience!
The book has arrived safely (impressive wrapping) !
I will start reading immediately after writing this
entry.
Some years ago, I have read a whole lot of this author's novels, enjoyed most of them, but stopped
when I hit a stretch of boring ones. Therefore, I look
forward to this one and rediscovering (hopefully) my
enthusiasm for reading Dean Koontz.
I will start reading immediately after writing this
entry.
Some years ago, I have read a whole lot of this author's novels, enjoyed most of them, but stopped
when I hit a stretch of boring ones. Therefore, I look
forward to this one and rediscovering (hopefully) my
enthusiasm for reading Dean Koontz.
This is a very suspensefull fantasy thriller, gripping until the chapter before the last.
The political statement against certain murderous branches of bioethics is also clearly and convincingly put.
Koontz does harm his cause, however, by grossly exaggerating the characteristics of his protagonists. E.g., the next victim-to-be, even if handicapped, is unmistakeably a genius and quite capable of living an independent life. She would therefore be one of the persons whom even the most prejudiced "mercy" killers would judge worty of survival.
Moreover, both the bad guy of the story and his hippie-turned-nuthead-sidekick are drawn as such unlikely monsters, that their description borders on caricatures.
These flaws, as well as the the author's usual right-wing-gun-toting-wannabe-a frontiersman-hidden agenda, do not lessen the enjoyment of reading this book; to my mind they rather add to the fun. They should, however, kept in mind as soon as anybody considers this novel as something more nourishing than the reading equivalent of a Big Mac.
The book will be sent to WickedWordz tomorrow. Have fun !
The political statement against certain murderous branches of bioethics is also clearly and convincingly put.
Koontz does harm his cause, however, by grossly exaggerating the characteristics of his protagonists. E.g., the next victim-to-be, even if handicapped, is unmistakeably a genius and quite capable of living an independent life. She would therefore be one of the persons whom even the most prejudiced "mercy" killers would judge worty of survival.
Moreover, both the bad guy of the story and his hippie-turned-nuthead-sidekick are drawn as such unlikely monsters, that their description borders on caricatures.
These flaws, as well as the the author's usual right-wing-gun-toting-wannabe-a frontiersman-hidden agenda, do not lessen the enjoyment of reading this book; to my mind they rather add to the fun. They should, however, kept in mind as soon as anybody considers this novel as something more nourishing than the reading equivalent of a Big Mac.
The book will be sent to WickedWordz tomorrow. Have fun !
Journal Entry 12 by Eichhorn at Post Office in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein Germany on Friday, October 3, 2003
Release planned for Saturday, October 04, 2003 at Post Office in Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein Germany.
by mail to WickedWordz.
This should, of course, be just a journal entry, not a release note. Something went wrong. Sorry.
by mail to WickedWordz.
This should, of course, be just a journal entry, not a release note. Something went wrong. Sorry.
Finally journaled this book. Thanks so much phantomreader42, for the opportunity to read it. Much appreciated :)
