One Door Away from Heaven
by Dean Koontz
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Dean Koontz virtually invented the cross-genre novel, and in One Door Away from Heaven he mixes an action thriller with post-X-Files alien paranoia to remarkable effect. Micky Bellsong is a young woman at a crisis point in her life, using a stay at her Aunt Geneva’s to sort things out. Then the precocious and deformed Leilani Klonk walks into her life, telling stories of her stepfather and drugged-up mother, who believe aliens will beam the girl into their mothership and heal her deformities before her 10th birthday. But tales of the stepfather’s vicious past, including his hand in several murders, leave Micky believing that a far more terrible fate awaits her friend. So when the parents take off with Leilani, Micky pursues. As is typical with a Koontz novel, nothing turns out to be what it seems, and the meticulously crafted plot tightens like a noose with every turn of the page. His characters are exceptionally drawn, driving the novel forward with realism and warmth. Micky is one of his more attractive young heroines, but the real star is Leilani, a mature young girl whose plucky nature and sparkling dialogue instantly make her Koontz’s most memorable creation. She embodies his belief that despite violence, pain, and suffering, there is always goodness to be found in every person and situation. Koontz has once again proven why he is one of the premier novelists of his generation. –Jonathan Weir, Amazon.co.uk
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
Anyone who wants their mind blown
This story made me think so much that I just had to write to Mr. Koontz to ask for further explanation.
In the book, Koontz touches on the connection between animal rights activists and bioethics. I had no idea that a book I read ages ago, Animal Liberation, was written by the same man (Peter Singer) who strongly supports a form of human "cleansing". It shattered me to learn I had strongly supported such a person.
Amazingly, not only did Koontz write back with a hand written letter ...more
In the book, Koontz touches on the connection between animal rights activists and bioethics. I had no idea that a book I read ages ago, Animal Liberation, was written by the same man (Peter Singer) who strongly supports a form of human "cleansing". It shattered me to learn I had strongly supported such a person.
Amazingly, not only did Koontz write back with a hand written letter ...more
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Read in January, 2008
I had a great time with this wonderful story. A story about love, redemption, terror, dogs and aliens. That is quite the package! A little boy (little alien to be precise) is running from a pack of assassins. His traveling companion is his dog "Old Yeller" who is neither old nor "yeller" Who they meet along the way is just half the adventure. Their tale intersects with that of handicapped wise acre Leilani Klonk who just may be killed by her step-father on her next birt...more
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Read in January, 2007
recommended to Squishee by:
The library shelf.recommends it for: Anyone who likes adventure, mystery and crime.
Lelani was my favourite character and her step-dad was my least favourite. Lelani is so cool because who wouldn't want to read about a smart-ass 10 year old with a messed up, drugged up mother, a dead brother and a crazed step-dad who also invented her own type of shorthand. It did take me a while to figure out how that boy was doing all those interesting 'mind over matter' things. The ending where he saves Lelani is just sweet. Another thing he's got going for him is that in the end he is the h...more
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This book was good, but by far not my favorite of Dean Koontz's work. It took me much longer than normal to get through this book - it just didn't "grab" me the way his others do. I still enjoyed it though, and I agree with a previous reviewer that the scariest part of the whole book is that this bioethics bullshit is real.
If you're a Dean Koontz fan, you will probably read this book regardless of any review. But if you're trying out Dean Koontz for the first time, I would suggest ...more
If you're a Dean Koontz fan, you will probably read this book regardless of any review. But if you're trying out Dean Koontz for the first time, I would suggest ...more
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Read in May, 2008
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.
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Read in January, 2002
Until I read this book I didn't know eugenics was an actual "science" to which anyone would subscribe. The theory may be sound, but the practice itself seems barbaric. As for the story itself this was the first Koontz book I read and it took me a while to get into it. The appearance of the alien and the story of the little girl was surprising. I remember enjoying the book at the time, but I haven't re-read it, so it's kind-of fuzzy. Good in a weird and unexpected way.
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Read in January, 2002
The reason for book title isn't really clear till almost the end. It skips between a couple different equally interesting stories, seemingly separate,,but of course they aren't. Obviously Dean Koontz is one of my favorite authors, the books based in just weird and Odd are way better than strictly horror-for me. This is a really good twisting turning page turner.
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One of two books in my life that I actually put down without finishing. (The other was Patricia Cornwell's "Portrait of a Killer - Jack the Ripper") It was quite some time ago, so my memory is a little fuzy, but I believe I stopped reading because it was very poorly written and the story wasn't engaging enough to convince me to push through the awful prose.
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Read in January, 2004
I loved the main characters, especially Leilani. I found it to have a meaningful spiritual undertow. This was the first Koontz book I've read. I wasn't expecting much out of a mass-producer like Koontz (I call them popcorn books, think of them as mere entertainment) but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this one.
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Read in May, 2007
This was another solid Dean Koontz book, but it wasn't by any means my favorite. I read Koontz looking for some chills, or at least a little spookiness and this one didn't really deliver. The most frightening part was probably the author's note when he states that there are really people out there who teach that bioethics crap.
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Read in July, 2008
recommended to Elicia by:
Andrea
I was half way thru this book before I caught on... but after that it was great. It is about utilitarian bioethics (mercy killing of the disabled, etc.), which is terrifying on it's own but since I really got to love the characters it was especially scary. It also has a science fiction-ish twist with aliens.
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This book was a little descriptive in the yuck, but it was a great read. You really can't help but fall in love with Leilani & the symbol she is of the hope in the most deranged of situations. Koontz writes with an eye to what the world is, but a beautiful hope of what it can be.
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Read in February, 2008
recommends it for:
Charlynn... it is on it's way!!
It took me over a year to read this book. It is a little hard to get into at first, but once everything comes together, it is worth it. One of my fav. things is how Koontz makes Old Yeller more than just a dog. I will never look at my dog the same when he is dreaming. :)
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Read in March, 2006
recommends it for:
Koontz readers
If you are a long time Koontz reader, the introduction of the first series of characters in this one will give you a wicked sense of deja vu. The first two-thirds are incredibly slow and almost painful...but the climax is fantastic and the ending is well worth the torture.
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A friend recommended this to me, and I did really like it, however I have still never tried to read another Dean Koontz novel.
For some reason, I feel like this would be the only one of his I would like. But I am probably just not giving him a chance.
For some reason, I feel like this would be the only one of his I would like. But I am probably just not giving him a chance.
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Read in January, 2002
This book came right after From the Corner of His Eye, and I know I wasn't fair in my initial review. This was a very good book with wonderful characters, but wasn't great by any means. It lacked in plot, but made up for it in character development.
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Read in January, 2000
recommends it for:
you
I know, I know... silly paperback. I bought it in an airport. An ill-advised puchase, but I liked the cover(thats how you pick books, right?). Anyway, quite a fun read. Not gonna leave you thinking, but the entertainment value is high.
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A twenty something trying to make her way and a deformed little girl and crazy drug addled mom...aliens? This book goes from one story to the next but each time bringing them closer and closer to one another. Another great page turner.
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Read in January, 2004
recommends it for:
mystery/thriller lovers
I read this book a while back, but all I can still remember the haunting images Dean Koontz created through his storytelling. Not so much my type of reading anymore... but this one definitely left a lasting impression.
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book data (includes all editions)
avg rating (all editions): 3.81 (1109 ratings) avg rating (this edition): 3.81 (985 ratings) number of reviews: 56popular shelves
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"Change isn't eaisy.Changing the way you live means changing the way you think, means changing what you believe about life. That's hard."
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