Breathless by Dean Koontz, a book review

Breathless by Dean Koontz - Copyright 2009 - bantamdell.com

I realize this is a cheesy introduction into a recent novel by Dean Koontz. I cannot help it. Honestly, I felt a type of Spiritual conversion at the ending of this story.

Our local library chose this as a "Hot Picks" selection. When perusing books that will come home and share my space and mind, I read the inside jacket summary. If I am not satisfied that I am getting something I want to spend my time on, I go on to read the introduction, dedication, and back jacket. The conclusion of my book investigation can be in opening stanza, or quote.

Breathless' introduction is a quote by G.K. Chesterton: "Science must not impose any philosophy, any more than the telephone must tell us what to say."

I was almost ready to get in the "Breathless" vehicle, but did not want to read real scary stuff. I continued ahead, and read the first page of the First Chapter. It read, "..., a strange expectancy overcame Grady Adams, a sense that he and Merlin were not alone." Farther down the page I find that Merlin is a three-year old, 160lb, Irish, wolfhound. The scene is set in a wilderness area of Rocky Mountain Colorado.

I jumped in and fully embarked upon this Koontz road trip.

This story reminds me a little bit of "The Stand" by Stephen King, in that there are those who travel great distances to play their part of "it" going down. The difference is distinct as well. The horror of this story comes from the knowledge of systems in place in the U.S. today, namely Homeland Security. Under the guise of Patriotism , any chaos can become a standard form of operation. This is a fiction, but the ability of excessive response and the capturing of billions of funds for such operations is one of those "Truth is stranger than Fiction" things.

The first book I read by Mr. Koontz was in the late 80's, I will admit it scared the bejesus out of me. I am an avid reader, and through the years, I have read Dean Koontz only when I am feeling very brave and ballsy. Stephen King affects me this way too, because it is the stuff of childhood nightmares. Not so fantastical that it is impossible to transpire.

As mentioned before, I have to be in a "biker" frame of mind to read Koontz. After Dean publishes his novels, these bound pages sit on the shelves and are packed in cartons. Something magical and eerie transpires. The characters do come to life and gather a mind of their own. It isn't long before the affected character may resemble the somber rail yard worker, or our town's clubhouse gardener .

Breathless is very different, and it reinforced my pride in those who have risked their lives to keep us free. In this tale, it does turn out well for the good guys, and those who love nature, goodness, justice and what is "the right thing to do". This fiction novel left me not with a feeling of fear and horror, instead...I have a renewed hope and expectancy for the future.