Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion
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Icebound
Stand Alone Novels 1968-1979
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Icebound (Group Read - January 2014)
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Jaice
(last edited Sep 29, 2010 10:53AM)
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rated it 3 stars
Sep 29, 2010 10:50AM
I found Icebound to be a well-written novel, but not that interesting, given my own personal tastes. It contained the usual Koontz preaching, this time about how evil evil atheism, communism, and politicians are, which posed the only real annoyance for me in this book. I found the characters to be fairly well-developed and compelling, compared to many Koontz novels I have read. We got to delve into the personal lives of all the characters, at least briefly, which caused me to actually care about what happened to them. Along those lines, I would say the romantic relationship between Harry and Rita was the most convincing I have read from Koontz thus far, except perhaps for the one described in Twilight Eyes. I like the idea of having an international team of scientists (scientists who, for once, were not portrayed by Koontz as the destroyers of Earth and all humanity) on a mission to make the world a better place, in this case, by doing preliminary research on the feasibility of bringing icebergs from the Arctic to thirsty cities down south--a topic I was convinced Koontz had researched well and had done so ahead of his time, as such an idea is only now beginning to pick up steam (no pun intended ;-)). Overall, the characters are good, the idea the story is based on is good, and the suspense is good and constant, with the resolution of the story being satisfying (an accomplishment Koontz often fails to achieve, IMO). I just can't bring myself to give this novel more than 3 stars, because it never really grabbed my interest. As Lori would say, it just wasn't my cup of tea. :-)
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What was there about atheism?
Maciek wrote: "What was there about atheism?"There were 3 separate comments, 1 direct and the other 2 indirect.
If I recall correctly, the atheism comments are directly tied with criticism of communist society. Can't really argue with that. Especially because it was uttered by the sole positive Russian protagonist in all of Koontz's output.
Maciek wrote: "If I recall correctly, the atheism comments are directly tied with criticism of communist society. Can't really argue with that. Especially because it was uttered by the sole positive Russian prota..."No, the first one was in reference to the researchers, before the Russians ever came on the scene. It was just before or just after the big even that started everything. I know the last one was with the second officer, who is atheist but says something like "Oh, dear Lord" toward the end, after which is something like "said the atheist."
I thought this was funny. Some atheists drop their disbelief in moments of dire crisis.
Maciek wrote: "I thought this was funny. Some atheists drop their disbelief in moments of dire crisis."I wouldn't say many, as it seems a very rare phenomenon. For those who do, however: they were not atheistic for the "right" reasons. Most atheists base their disbelief on careful reasoning and logic, so it is insulting to suggest that they will eventually abandon all that in a moment of dire crisis.
I knew you'd say that;) Just messing with you. It's quite a common trick in books and movies to have a strongly atheistic character shout something like "dear God!" when exposed to a great danger, be it a dinosaur, a failing staircase or an exploding iceberg. It serves to show how dangerous the crisis is, if it can make people abandon their beliefs or rather their disbeliefs.I heard that Richard Dawkins read "Breathless" and cried out "Sweet Jesus!"
Maciek wrote: "I knew you'd say that;) Just messing with you. It's quite a common trick in books and movies to have a strongly atheistic character shout something like "dear God!" when exposed to a great danger, ..."Yes, its being so common in stories is what makes it annoying: the whole atheists in foxholes routine. It would be like a feminist finally concluding that men are superior to women or a civil rights leader ultimately deciding that one race is superior to another. And, just because an atheist uses a term like "dear God" or "sweet Jesus," doesn't mean that he/she has abandoned his/her disbelief all of a sudden. Such phrases are so ubiquitous (at least in American culture; I won't speak for others) that they have lost any specific meaning and have simply become direct expressions of emotion, usually of surprise. I think you realize all this, so this is not really directed at you. Where did you hear that about Dawkins? I remember saying somewhere on here that I would like to see the look on his face after he finishes Breathless. I'm surprised that he would actually read it, though that might be unfair.
It was a joke, man. You need to drop the Borg routine and chill out. LOL!
Maciek wrote: "It was a joke, man. You need to drop the Borg routine and chill out. LOL!"Mac, I know you were just joking. As I said, I wasn't directing my statement at you; rather, I was clarifying my position. I'm chill. :-P Please answer my question about Dawkins, as I am curious.
Dawkins situation was the joke! I though it would be uberfunny, but that's just me. :P
Maciek wrote: "Dawkins situation was the joke! I though it would be uberfunny, but that's just me. :P"Oh. :-/ You had my hopes up that he had actually read it and had that reaction to it.
We both know that he would react just this way. If he wouldn't claw his eyes out first, lol!
Maciek wrote: "We both know that he would react just this way. If he wouldn't claw his eyes out first, lol!"Yes, he probably wouldn't be able to finish it. If he ever did read it, he probably would become a theist, as he would figure that book was God's way of punishing Dawkins for not believing in Him. :-D
Jason "plasborgma" wrote: "Yes, he probably wouldn't be able to finish it. If he ever did read it, he probably would become a theist, as he would figure that book was God's way of punishing Dawkins for not believing in Him. :-D "LOL! Indeed, that would be too funny.
Returning to Icebound, I think it's one of the best by Koontz, and surprisingly one of the least recognized. Not many fans are even aware of its existence and I can't really figure out why. It's well written, well researched (think how much time he must have spent checking all the details of Arctic surroundings, the equipment and procedures) and moves along at a breakneck pace. Plus it's an obvious homage to MacLean, one of the world's forgotten authors.
Also, it is a rewrite of a early novel from 1976 - this can explain the criticism of communism, as the Cold War was still on - and it's interesting to see how he had such great ideas even back then. I think the fact that he choose to re-write it and release in 1995, the same year as Intensity might be the reason this novel was not widely recognized. In my opinion, both Intensity and Icebound show Dean Koontz at his best, before he succumbed to the lame metaphors and idiotic plots. Plus I still think he looked way better before getting the hair transplant. The moustache and suit gave him his own style.
Speaking of style, I always loved his descriptions from these years. Consider this:
"A barrel, which they had filled with snow, stood on electric heating coils in one of the
cargo trailers. It brimmed with boiling water. Steam roiled off the surface of the water, froze
instantly into clouds of glittering crystals, and was dispersed into the whirling snow, so it
seemed as if an endless procession of ghosts was arising from a magical cauldron and fleeing to the far reaches of the earth."
Scenes such as this elevated Koontz above other suspense writers. Everything here just clicks; this sentence has heart. I truly wish he would drop his thesaurus and write like that again.
Mod
Be sure to try it. In terms of suspense and pacing it's one of his best.
I read Icebound a LONG time ago and I remember hating it. I found it to be boring. But I was only 19 or so, and I hope that it was just a maturity thing. I do really like the supernatural storylines better. Perhaps Koontz failed to use 'bouganvilla' and I felt cheated. Who knows, if it's ever picked as a group read I'll reread it, but it's not high priority because of the bias I have remembering it as so boring.BTW Maciek, 'I heard that Richard Dawkins read "Breathless" and cried out "Sweet Jesus!"' cracked me up!
Emily wrote: "BTW Maciek, 'I heard that Richard Dawkins read "Breathless" and cried out "Sweet Jesus!"' cracked me up!"That's nice to hear. "Perhaps Koontz failed to use 'bouganvilla' and I felt cheated." - that cracked me up. ;)
Emily wrote: "...Perhaps Koontz failed to use 'bouganvilla' and I felt cheated....":-D
Mod
Icebound by Dean Koontz
It's missing. Good grief, I can't find it. Grrr, this seriously pisses me off.
Nora wrote: "It's missing. Good grief, I can't find it. Grrr, this seriously pisses me off."Relax,take a deep breath and look again,I'm sure you'll find it.LOL.
Started it last night,It's a little different from the other Koontz books I have read,maybe It's just the setting,so far so good.
Well it was last seen in the hands of my sister who when I inquired looked at me like my third eye had just opened. Hmm, she better be looking for it. :(
Mod
Maybe if you agree to keep your third eye closed, she will agree to find it or replace it as it sounds like she don't like your third eye even though a third eye could come in handy to find the missing book. Well, best of luck however you decide to use your third eye.
She insists she returned it, I insisted she's mistaken. I will keep looking, hopefully she will too.
Well this is either a miracle or a sign of the apocalypse, my sister admitted losing my book & ordered a replacement, I should have it wednesday! Yay! :)
Just finished Icebound tonight,I pretty much enjoyed it.The characters were okay,the pace of the book was good,and the story was interesting.My only real gripe were the constant rants about communism,whether it be Russia or China which towards the end of the book i was just skimming those parts,sometimes i just wish he would leave the preaching out and just tell the story.But hey i enjoyed the book and gave it 3 stars.
Just got new copy today & so far I don't remember any of it. lol. Good because I don't remember the ending either, well yet. :)
Mod
I hope so cuz I made my sister replace my lost copy so I could participate like i said I would.
Mod
It does drag a bit.
message 35:
by
Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado
(last edited Jul 27, 2011 10:17AM)
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rated it 3 stars
Mod
I wonder if you'll dislike this one more than Your Heart Belongs to Me, which I just finished. I rated them equally.
Mod
It's sure to be one of my least favorite DK books :-(
Dean wrote the following in A NOTE TO THE READER found in the back of the updated edition of Icebound:
"I hope you liked Icebound, though I sort of hope you like the new books more. After all, this is the only book of its type I've written, and if readers wanted another, I'd have nothing to offer....."
Thank goodness I like the new books much more and don't want another book like Icebound!
Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I'll try to get some listening in today :-) I'll go for a walk with my Sony Walkman because I am old school and don't have an ipod/MP3 player."Oh those were the days the sony walkman lol.I think the story is just not for you Dustin.I enjoyed it,and found it to be one the better books I've read by Dean lately,If wasn't for all the preaching i would have given it 4 stars.
Mod
Well it was certainly different that what Koontz normally writes but I liked it anyway. Not one of my top 10 favorites but definetely worth reading. Had some action adventure, suspense.
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Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "I will not be reading it but several others will be."I am one of the "several others." :) I'm excited to read
, as I haven't read it before.
I would read it, but I've already tried unsuccessfully to get into this book 4 or 5 times already. The only Koontz book that I've never made it past page 50. I'm glad that some people like this book, but I'll never be one of them... as I can't bring myself to finish the damn thing.
I'll read it, I've had it sitting in my book shelf for a long time but haven't got around to reading it, this mini-group read will force my hand, so to speak! lol
I'll read it. It was my first Koontz book so it'll be good to read it again and see what everyone thinks.
I've really enjoyed this book the second time around. First of all it was very different from the Koontz books I have been reading lately. (Some will be glad to read that there are no dogs in this story ... not even sled dogs.) I liked the character development. There was no one "good guy". I think the book explored the idea of courage and heroism well. I liked the international flavor and the fact that they were fighting against nature as well as the one "bad" guy. Plus each main character had his or her own inner battle and was challenged to not let the memories of the past get in the way of the here and now. I don't want to give away any spoilers so I will leave it at that until the rest of the March group mini read comment.
What are others in this mini group read thinking about the book? Are you glad you decided to go in on this mini group read?
I'm very glad to be a part of this mini-group read, though I have not yet read the book. I've been planning to read it mid-month. :)I haven't forgotten about it!
Jen, don't let it seem like I was pressuring you. Believe me. I say I am going to read something, then I don't get to it, plus I take a lot longer to read now than I used to. (Blame it on the TV)
Koontzland - Dean Koontz
Books mentioned in this topic
Icebound (other topics)Icebound (other topics)
Icebound (other topics)
Icebound (other topics)
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alistair MacLean (other topics)Dean Koontz (other topics)
