Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion
This topic is about
Lightning
Stand Alone Novels 1986-1990
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LIGHTNING (Group Read - November 2015)
we really haven't had much discussion of the book. I don't know about others but I am hesitant to give away spoilers in my comments. By now I figure most who are going to discuss it have finished the book. Can you let me know if you are still reading and need more time.
Mod
I am still planning on re-reading Lightning in November :-)
Reminder: Odd Thomas is our December Group Read (along with the New Release of Ashley Bell)
Mod
I've read the book. I know what happens :-) If there is anything you feel might be a spoiler, just use a spoiler tag to be safe. Even if someone can't figure out the GR Spoiler which hides part of the comment you can still put a warning such as:
*** SPOIILER ALERT: CHAPTER 5***
We want to encourage discussion. Just add a spoiler alert if you think it might be....you can also add the chapter and then if a person hasn't gotten to that point they can skip over the comment. Hopefully. I know the GR spoiler formatting can be difficult to figure out.
Thank you all :-)
Was anyone surprised at who Laura's "guardian" was?
Extremely!! Mind blower. That was astoundingly unique writing by DK.
who or what did you think the guardian would turn out to be? My first time reading it I really thought it was going to end up being an angel.
Karen B. wrote: "who or what did you think the guardian would turn out to be? My first time reading it I really thought it was going to end up being an angel."A stalker
Diane that's interesting. I didn't think of negative but it certainly could have been. While reading it this time I was reminded of the movie the Terminator.
Karen B. wrote: "Diane that's interesting. I didn't think of negative but it certainly could have been. While reading it this time I was reminded of the movie the Terminator."Although I read Lightningyears ago (it's my favorite dean book) -I still remember it well- I thought I was the only one who was reminded of the movie The Terminator! :)
Mod
Awesome :-)
Karen B. wrote: "Once I thought [spoilers removed]"That crossed my mind also.
One of the things I liked was that he wasn't perfect and Laura was needing to be self-reliant as well and not just depend on his intervention.
Karen B. wrote: "One of the things I liked was that he wasn't perfect and Laura was needing to be self-reliant as well and not just depend on his intervention."Agree. Written like real people. Flaws and all.
Yes, I like that about most Koontz books.
It's amazing the extremes a person must go to to get free pizza!
Diane Lynch wrote: "It's amazing the extremes a person must go to to get free pizza!"Did I miss something here Diane? LOL
Diane Lynch wrote: "Karen B. Free pizza: [spoilers removed]"Thanks Diane, I had forgotten about this
Karen B. wrote: "Yes, I like that about most Koontz books."I always liked the strength of his characters too-when I first started reading his books it seemed that all his main characters had been through hell but manged to not be bitter and by the end of the story usually stronger for what he/she had been through. I thought I read that dean had a difficult childhood (not sure if this is true) but if so I wonder how much his own life shapes his characters.
Laura remains one of my favorite characters as well as the sisters she becomes friends with-can't recall their names.
oh yes that is what I like about the Koontz characters. They have to struggle through something and come out as better people with integrity intact. They don't give up on other people (only the bad guys)
Mod
Thanks Dustin. Didn't do as well as I thought I would.
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "If you have recently read Lightning, please try the Lightning Quiz: https://www.goodreads.com/quizzes/res..."I haven't yet had a chance to find or read Lightning. I may need to get a copy from the library and read it in December.
I was fortunate to have the library obtain a audio copy for me. What a great story! Truly enjoyed it!
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Tricia wrote: "I liked this book. It showed me how Koontz's style has changed over the years."And what is your preference? Do you prefer the old-style or the newer books?"
The conversation in his newer books just sparkles with wit and life. I prefer the newer books.
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Tricia wrote: "I liked this book. It showed me how Koontz's style has changed over the years."And what is your preference? Do you prefer the old-style or the newer books?"
The conversation in his newer books just sparkles with wit and life. I prefer the newer books.
Mod
Just got my audiobook. Should be able to start on Thanksgiving and then I'm going to go straight into Odd Thomas. Seems like I either get in at the tail end or right at the beginning each month - one extreme or the other :-)
Mod
It is tricky :-) Best taken right after reading the book so you don't forget. I only got 100% because I created the quiz back in 2010.
Mod
I think I prefer the older ones. Do you have a favorite?
Like Dustin, I think I prefer the older books more but part of that could be that I have higher expectations now. And yet there are several older books I really disliked and probably won't read again. I did notice back then that it was the books written under other names that I didn't like as well.
I honestly do not have a preference-new or old. I live in the moment I guess.
Mod
That is so deep :-) So here, you are saying you are more New Age than Old School?
Mod
The House of Thunder written under then name Owen West is really quite good. I also like The Voice of the Night written under then name Brian Coffey - it is a dark and disturbing novel.
I didn't know I said that! LOL. I guess so Dustin. I am one with the wind.
The House of Thunder and the other book you mentioned are DK's books?
Mod
The Late 80's & into the 90's was a very good time. Here we have Watchers, Lightning, Midnight, The Bad Place, Cold Fire, Hideaway, Dragon Tears etc.
I also enjoy a lot of the early 2000's - Life Expectancy, By the Light of the Moon, From the Corner of His Eye, One Door Away From Heaven etc.
Mod
That again sounds very New Age in thought :-) That is how I try to live - very simple. On my days off, I don't like to make a lot of plans, I like to see where the wind takes me and I often find myself in amazing places and adventures - you know like Odd Thomas.
Mod
Yes. They have been re-issued under his name, but for many years people didn't know they were written by Dean Koontz.
note: in my previous comment, I said The House of Thunder was written by Owen West - that was incorrect. The House of Thunder was written under the name of Leigh Nichols. Owen West wrote The Mask and The Funhouse :-) Leigh Nichols was also a woman.
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Diane Lynch wrote: "The House of Thunder and the other book you mentioned are DK's books?"Yes. They have been re-issued under his name, but for many years people didn't know they were written by ..."
Odd, these are the ones I DIDN'T care for. *LOL*
And I won't read again the one with the twins and the cockroaches in the basements because of the roaches. another LOL
Karen B which one is that? I want to read that!
I think it's Whispers
Karen B. wrote: "I think it's Whispers"TY
The story is good and you will probably enjoy it but I have a think about cockroaches. Just one scares the beejeebees.
Karen B. wrote: "The story is good and you will probably enjoy it but I have a think about cockroaches. Just one scares the beejeebees."I'm drawn to books people can't stand for whatever reason.
I had that feeling. Lol
Mod
Whispers is great :-)
Mod
Koontzland - Dean Koontz
Books mentioned in this topic
A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog (other topics)The Dead Path (other topics)
The House of Thunder (other topics)
The Voice of the Night (other topics)
The Mask (other topics)
More...
And what is your preference? Do you prefer the old-style or the newer books?