With his bestselling blend of nail-biting intensity, daring artistry, and storytelling magic, Dean Koontz returns with an emotional roller coaster ...
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Feb 18, 2008
Bill
rated it: 
Life Expectancy is probably my favorite book of all time. It was so different than any book I had ever read, and was much different than I expected. It flows so perfectly from the first person point of view, and the characters are unforgettable. Plus, it has clowns...
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Apr 02, 2008
♥ Marlene♥
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This is what I wrote reading this book........
This is the second time I am trying to read this book.
I am a huge Koontz fan but this book really disappointed me.
It is so far, not exiting or scary at all, because the main characters are not frightened.
They are constantly making funny (not) remarks and it is just not realistic.
You are a hostage and you are constantly cracking jokes!!! No way.
I have read 170 pages of the book an More...
This is the second time I am trying to read this book.
I am a huge Koontz fan but this book really disappointed me.
It is so far, not exiting or scary at all, because the main characters are not frightened.
They are constantly making funny (not) remarks and it is just not realistic.
You are a hostage and you are constantly cracking jokes!!! No way.
I have read 170 pages of the book an More...
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Sep 05, 2011
Tracy
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This is one of my favorite Dean Koontz novels. It has all of the elements you would expect to find in a DK novel!
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Oct 20, 2008
Tiffany
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It will make you laugh, it will make you cry, it will make you question all good looking men.
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(8 people liked it)
Jan 13, 2008
ayrdaomei
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This one took me a couple weeks to read, but I did finish it (good sign #1) and by the time I was done, I didn't feel like I'd wasted my time (good sign #2).
It's written in the first person, which works better here than in Koontz's The Taking, but not as well as it did in Odd Thomas. The premise of the story is a fun one: on the night of Jimmy Tock's birth, his dying grandfather predicts the time of Jimmy's birth, his weight, a physical ailment...and that Jimmy will suffer five terr More...
It's written in the first person, which works better here than in Koontz's The Taking, but not as well as it did in Odd Thomas. The premise of the story is a fun one: on the night of Jimmy Tock's birth, his dying grandfather predicts the time of Jimmy's birth, his weight, a physical ailment...and that Jimmy will suffer five terr More...
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(2 people liked it)
Apr 23, 2008
Jack
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Dean Koontz reigns as the Henry Ford of novelists. Ford invented assembly line production, a way of mass-producing automobiles. Ford out produced other automakers and at the same time delivered a quality product. His Model T remains perhaps the most successful automobile ever made. Ford Motor Company occasionally made mistakes; the Edsel of the mid-1950s was its most glaring and infamous. Dean Koontz, like Ford has developed a method of cranking out novels at an amazing pace, over 60 in th
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(2 people liked it)
Jan 09, 2009
Jodyishappy
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This book was a strange book. I don't know how else to describe it. When my husband told me it was a weird one but he thought I would like it, I really I was almost sure I didn't want to read it. I almost pasted it up, but I am glad I didn't. I never knew where it was going to go next. I never even tried to make predictions like I normally would. It also was filled with so much dry humor that you just had to laugh. The entire time I was reading this one, I couldn't help but think that the
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May 04, 2011
Jenn & Matt
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Overall, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, although I did unfortunately find it somewhat predictable, but only moderately. The basic story is told by the protagonist and follows from his birth until present day. As his father waits in the hospital waiting room for his wife to give birth, Jimmy Tock's grandfather dies at the same moment of his birth, but not before he tells of five horrible days that his grandson will have to face and conquer in his life. At the same time, a demented cl
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Apr 09, 2011
Scott
rated it:
I had given up on Dean Koontz. I hadn't enjoyed many of his newer books as much as I had enjoyed the first few books I read of his, and I thought my days of reading him were over. That all changed when I was picking out books for my honeymoon.
I literally decided to read this book because it was small and I knew it wouldn't take up much space in my backpack. That's it, that's the reason. There were other books I wanted to read instead of this one but they were much bulkier and I More...
I literally decided to read this book because it was small and I knew it wouldn't take up much space in my backpack. That's it, that's the reason. There were other books I wanted to read instead of this one but they were much bulkier and I More...
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Apr 07, 2011
Adam
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Koontz continually proves me wrong, and maybe it's because I haven't yet read enough of him to really know for sure what his "thing" is. I thought it was really psychotically deranged killer pursues female protagonist for 400 pages and that's it. Usually the derangement is something on par with Michael Myers--a particularly soulless and nihilistic evil. Well, there appears to be more to Koontz's writing than that, and Life Expectancy is an other deviation I'm delighted to read. I j
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Jan 24, 2010
Jessica
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Jason gave me this book for Christmas - he had listened to it as book on tape and really liked it, and thought I might like it too. I didn't - I LOVED it!! Laugh out loud funny at times, and yet also reflects on what makes a good life, relationship, and family, all in a suspenseful story!
I loved the characters - the main one, Jimmy Tock, but also all the supporting cast of characters. Each one was fleshed out and real. There was a unique banter amongst his family that I both reco More...
I loved the characters - the main one, Jimmy Tock, but also all the supporting cast of characters. Each one was fleshed out and real. There was a unique banter amongst his family that I both reco More...
Jul 26, 2009
Alan
rated it:
feel-good horror story
With Life Expectancy, Dean Koontz takes on the challenge of writing an entirely wholesome horror story. Many readers may not care for the mix of creepiness, humor, and schmaltz. But I found it refreshing.
Life expectancy is the life story of a young baker, Jimmy Tock, and his wife, told in first person. They are happy, optimistic, family folk. Therefore their story is virtually free of profanity or gratuitous nastiness. But they are also blessed with More...
With Life Expectancy, Dean Koontz takes on the challenge of writing an entirely wholesome horror story. Many readers may not care for the mix of creepiness, humor, and schmaltz. But I found it refreshing.
Life expectancy is the life story of a young baker, Jimmy Tock, and his wife, told in first person. They are happy, optimistic, family folk. Therefore their story is virtually free of profanity or gratuitous nastiness. But they are also blessed with More...
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Jun 27, 2009
Remy
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This is my first Dean Koontz book. I expected a horror story, but this book was actually quite funny. I just grabbed it off the paperback section of the library to take to the beach, and I was pleasantly surprised. Initially, I found the main character, Jimmy, a little like Ignatiuos Reilly from "Confederacy of Dunces," but he actually had a great deal more sense. I think it was more in Koontz's writing style. The characters were so likeable, that I wanted to be friends with them; exce
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May 20, 2009
Resonance
rated it:
I was starved for something to read this last weekend and happened upon this book. Horror isn't my usual genre but I've read a few Dean Koontz books in the past and liked them, so I thought I'd give this one a spin.
It's got an interesting enough plot -- as a child is being born, his grandfather makes a set of deathbed prophecies about him (the first of which are shortly proven true as they relate to his birth) which culminate in an exact prediction, to the day, of five individual da More...
It's got an interesting enough plot -- as a child is being born, his grandfather makes a set of deathbed prophecies about him (the first of which are shortly proven true as they relate to his birth) which culminate in an exact prediction, to the day, of five individual da More...
Feb 14, 2009
level one:
What is the protagonists family trade? Jimmy Tock is an aspiring pastry chef, as is his father. The Tock's have a long line of baker's and chef's in the family.
Who died on the night of Jimmy's birth and also predicted 5 Horrible dates in Jimmy's life? Jimmy's grandfather, Josef, died just minutes before Jimmy's arrival on earth. Before Josef bit the dust he wrote down on the back of a circus ticket 5 dates in the future that would be horrible and burdensome for his gr More...
What is the protagonists family trade? Jimmy Tock is an aspiring pastry chef, as is his father. The Tock's have a long line of baker's and chef's in the family.
Who died on the night of Jimmy's birth and also predicted 5 Horrible dates in Jimmy's life? Jimmy's grandfather, Josef, died just minutes before Jimmy's arrival on earth. Before Josef bit the dust he wrote down on the back of a circus ticket 5 dates in the future that would be horrible and burdensome for his gr More...
Jul 15, 2011
Breanne
rated it:
Jimmy Tock comes into the world on the very night his grandfather leaves it, in the very same hospital. As Jimmy's mother is working to bring him into the world, his grandfather suddenly sits up and predicts that there will be five dark days in the life of his grandson — five dates whose terrible events Jimmy will have to prepare himself to face. Before they can discount Josef's words as delusional rambling, he also predicts the time of his grandson's birth to the minute, as well as his exact h
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Sep 09, 2011
Angela
rated it:
As usual, Koontz delivered. I love his little humorous quips almost as much I love it when he pens something profound. I can always count on adding a few new quotes to my quote journal when I'm reading Koontz. Life Expectancy is full of action, thrills and anticipation of what's about to happen throughout, nearly from the first page. Towards the end, there is one HUGE surprise, as far as I'm concerned. I, at least, never saw it coming. Perhaps I should have? Nah. You really come to like the char
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Oct 07, 2010
Johnny
rated it:
If there is any Koontz novel I wish I'd written myself, it's "Life Expectancy”. This book hits all the right chords: the absurdity of life, the interconnectedness of human beings, recognizable characters, signature humor, all put together with the reality of sudden violence.
Minutes before Jimmy Tock was born, his dying grandfather made several predictions not only about his birth, but also gave warnings of five terrible days to come in his future. Together with his family, Jimm More...
Minutes before Jimmy Tock was born, his dying grandfather made several predictions not only about his birth, but also gave warnings of five terrible days to come in his future. Together with his family, Jimm More...
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Aug 02, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
I'm not sure where to shelve this book, Suspense seems like the best option, although there is humor in it as well.
Dean Koontz is becoming my favorite author. His writing is free flowing, descriptive without being too wordy and well developed. I like the humor that pops out when you least expect it.
Life Expectancy has a lot going on in it. The story begins with a baby being born at the exact same moment that is grandfather takes his last breath. Before the grandf More...
Jun 12, 2010
Natalie
rated it:
So, I have this sister in law who is afraid of clowns. I don't really share her fear at all, but after reading this book I can understand a little better why someone would be (though to be honest that mini-series based on Steven King's IT that I watched with my sister when I was younger makes me feel for my sis-in-law). Really though, my knee jerk reaction when I realized who the villains in this book were, was to laugh. My Husband thought it was hilarious too.
I give this book a 2 1 More...
I give this book a 2 1 More...
Aug 17, 2009
Camille
rated it:
I am giving this book 3 1/2 stars. This book was our book club selection for the month of August. Having never read a Dean Koontz book before, I was unsure as to what to expect. I found a cleaver story, told by an author sharp enough to twist a story just as the reader thinks they are beginning to figure it out, but does not flop it on it's side. As someone who may not suffer from full Coulrophobia (in the book a fear of clowns is referred to as Harliquinaphobia,but this is not correct) but
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May 29, 2011
Dracoiratus
rated it:
This review is for the audio book version read by Jeff Harding.
Another good book by this author it's pretty well paced throughout. The basic story is that when Jimmy (the main character) was born, his paternal grandfather died in the same hospital, but not before predicting five terrible days in Jimmy's life and providing the dates for those days. Given that he also predicts various things about Jimmy's birth that all turn out to be true, Jimmy and his family take the prediction of t More...
Another good book by this author it's pretty well paced throughout. The basic story is that when Jimmy (the main character) was born, his paternal grandfather died in the same hospital, but not before predicting five terrible days in Jimmy's life and providing the dates for those days. Given that he also predicts various things about Jimmy's birth that all turn out to be true, Jimmy and his family take the prediction of t More...
May 21, 2011
Michael
rated it:
This is the first book ive read from Dean Koontz and all i can say is wow i am exhausted from what i have read in such a good way. The Story of Jimmy Tock who at the moment he is born his grandfather dies, but before Josef dies he tell's his son to jot down predictions for his son. Among them were that although called James everyone would call him Jimmy and he would be born with the condition Syndactyly. More sinister was five dates in the future were terrible events would occur. In the same hos
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Sep 22, 2010
Jim
rated it:
I remember the day my son decided he really wanted to go to school with his clear umbrella with pink dinosaurs. He was maybe 6 or 7 and I couldn't tell him it was a bad idea. I couldn't explain that the other little boys might not understand why he liked it so much. I wasn't home when he came home, but the umbrella went into his closet and never saw the light of day again. To me that was a very sad day. The fact that I can even remember that specific day almost 20 years ago puts it pretty high o
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Jan 02, 2012
IndianaRonaldo
rated it:
Why is Dean Koontz and Stephen King ever at all appear in the same sentence? I am confused. Is is the horror genre? Well, maybe. But otherwise, I don't think those two names should ever come up without a full stop between.
It was a good plot, I accept that, and better than plots that Stephen King handles. But this plot is predictable at more than a couple of places. The characters are just okay, and the narrative is pretty mediocre. After all, it's not the plot, but the style th More...
It was a good plot, I accept that, and better than plots that Stephen King handles. But this plot is predictable at more than a couple of places. The characters are just okay, and the narrative is pretty mediocre. After all, it's not the plot, but the style th More...
Feb 05, 2009
Critics found Life Expectancy somewhat, well, unexpected. From the master of horror, suspense, and SF comes a novel about love, family, and good versus evil, all wrapped up in a warm, fuzzy package. Sure, Koontz's newest novel contains variations of the horror elements that define his previous works (The Taking, The Face), but his characters are so endearing that it's hard to see how anything bad could happen to them. In fact, despite his grandfather's prediction, Tommy's five bad days turn out
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Sep 26, 2011
Athena
rated it: 
Although I didn't like this book I will say that for the first time I enjoyed the ending of a Dean Koontz novel. However, the first three quarters of the book were ridiculous. The irony in the story was more repetitive than entertaining, and ultimately montonous.
In the beginning, on the night of Jimmy Tock's birth, his father, Rudy Tock, meets Konrad Beezo; a clown who considers himself to be full of talent and swears that his son will become the most famous clown in the world. The dying More...
In the beginning, on the night of Jimmy Tock's birth, his father, Rudy Tock, meets Konrad Beezo; a clown who considers himself to be full of talent and swears that his son will become the most famous clown in the world. The dying More...
Jan 20, 2011
Charlie
rated it:
A different story, but still a terrific read by Dean Koontz.
In the past I have read many of Dean Koontz's novels and I just decided to revisit this author. I tend to get bored when an author's books are predictable and repetitive.
In "Life Expectancy" the story takes the reader into an unusual situation. A dying man predicts five important days in the life of his grandson who is being born. The old man dies just when his grandson is born. The story was a fun a More...
In the past I have read many of Dean Koontz's novels and I just decided to revisit this author. I tend to get bored when an author's books are predictable and repetitive.
In "Life Expectancy" the story takes the reader into an unusual situation. A dying man predicts five important days in the life of his grandson who is being born. The old man dies just when his grandson is born. The story was a fun a More...
Jan 26, 2012
Tracy
rated it:
I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!....When you think of Dean Koontz you don't associate 'laugh out loud....funny....make you smile' type of books. Well this one.....while having some really intense events and some heartbreaking moments.....was really humorous. I loved that aspect of the book. Jimmy Tock has a crazy wonderful life as a baker but because of the events surrounding his birth.....he will have a lifetime of angst and danger and fear weave in and out of his everyday routines. His parents and gra
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Jan 03, 2012
Elizabeth
rated it:
This book surprised me.
Given that the first of the terrible days was barely finished half way through the book, and that this was the first Koontz novel I've read, I was ready to be very disappointed in his style of writing. I've never been a fan of using 5 words where 1 will do, or adding unnecessary fluff to bulk up a books word count.
However, whether the last four terrible days were edited down pre-publishing, or if his style is just more concise as he goes on, I'm no More...
Given that the first of the terrible days was barely finished half way through the book, and that this was the first Koontz novel I've read, I was ready to be very disappointed in his style of writing. I've never been a fan of using 5 words where 1 will do, or adding unnecessary fluff to bulk up a books word count.
However, whether the last four terrible days were edited down pre-publishing, or if his style is just more concise as he goes on, I'm no More...
