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<BaldScribe>Bookclub let me introduce our newest member and moderator
for tonights discussion ... daisy1976
<daisy1976> thanks BaldScribe
<daisy1976> let's get started then
* BaldScribe
pokes the nick list one more time
<daisy1976> as i
am new and all, i'll ask you all to be gentle and
patient with me ;)
<Parlabane> no probs so am i
<BaldScribe>sounds like a first date
<daisy1976> lol
<_really>
hardly anyone survives being moderator so why should you be any different? :)
<daisy1976> First of all, an insight
into the author's life:
<daisy1976> Full Name - Dean Ray Koontz.
<daisy1976> Date of Birth
- July 9, 1945,
<daisy1976> Residence -
<daisy1976> Education -
<daisy1976> Career - Teacher-counselor
with Appalachian Poverty Program, 1966-67
<daisy1976> High school English teacher,
1967-69
<daisy1976> Full-time writer,
1969-present
<daisy1976> Family - Gerda,
married October 15, 1966. No Children.
<Parlabane> oh he's one of those....
<daisy1976> "A man begins dying at
the moment of his birth. Most people live in denial of Death's patient
courtship until, late in life and deep in sickness, they become aware of him
sitting bedside."
<daisy1976> With
those philosophical words, Dean Koontz opens a story of the wrenching of a
man's soul.
<daisy1976> yep
<daisy1976> Dean Koontz was born and
raised in
<daisy1976> Koontz' parents considered
books and reading to be a waste of time and money, and discouraged him from
reading. When he was eight years old, he wrote short stories and tried to
peddle them, usually for a nickel a story. When he was twelve he won a
wristwatch and twenty-five dollars in a nationwide newspaper essay competition.
<daisy1976> As
a senior in college Koontz won a fiction competition, and wrote consistently
from then on.
<daisy1976> His first 'real' fiction
sale was called "Kittens" which he sold while still in college at the
age of twenty. He graduated from Shippensburg State College (now
<daisy1976> Among the writers who
influenced Koontz , John D. Macdonald stands among the
top of the list. Koontz is an admitted obsessive-compulsive. A novel normally
takes him from five months to a year to complete, and he often works seventy
hours a week.
<daisy1976> now, let's dive head on into
The Husband, the last of Dean Koontz books
<BaldScribe>hmmm... didn't know all that PA is a
neighbor state
<Miles_V> or rather the lastest
;)
<daisy1976> I have to say I was
disappointed with this book. After reading The House of Thunder, The Taking and
other very good books by Koontz, The Husband leaves a bad taste.
<BaldScribe>I have to admit i
went in to this book thinking i wouldn't like it
<daisy1976> point there Miles :)
<_really>
i also began thinking i wouldnt like it
<Parlabane> i also did
<Miles_V> This book was very straigh
forward - with none of the usual Koontz magic, not a bad novel though
<Parlabane> i thought this
guy was a horror geezer
<BaldScribe>Well he did manage to surprise me a
couple times
<_really>
i liked the first half a lot. after that it seemed
silly to me
<daisy1976> i
began to read it thinking i would like it, and didn't
<BaldScribe>but the but was really pretty much method
to me
<daisy1976> It is a good book of action
and suspense, but in my opinion, it lacks that something that makes his books
grab your attention from beginning to end.
<daisy1976> It
is good for a writer to change themes, but this book was even a bit boring,
IMHO.
<Parlabane> though the story (from what i read) was straight forward nothing to it
<BaldScribe>for one thing his marrage
... who has a marriage like that ?
<daisy1976> right
<Miles_V> this book would make a standard script for
a movie
<Parlabane> what was parculiar
of the marriage ?
<daisy1976> and what about
his upbringing? parents were very abusive
<Miles_V> weird parents
<BaldScribe>I agree Miles_V
... would make a movie
<BaldScribe>the parents i
enjoyed :)
<Parlabane> well there is a movie with mel gibson called ransom which
rings a bell
<daisy1976> I find all the plants names
and descriptions out of context, only there to fill gaps, not to remind us that
the main character is a gardener, because that is mentioned every so often. Who
cares if he hides behind pampas grass or mesquite?
<Miles_V> the dad was a bit of a shit
<Parlabane> oh yeah the parents with the prehistoric
stool and concepts beyond this world
<Miles_V> oops
<BaldScribe>It could have been more interesting if
had gone further into the parents
<daisy1976> the dad collected s**t Miles
;)
<Parlabane> yeah that i
liked though...it gave a bit more detail, and the protagonist would kno such things
<BaldScribe>and their affects on the kids
<daisy1976> i
agree BaldScribe
<Miles_V> daisy1976 - exactly
<BaldScribe>that was funny
<_really>
i think the problem was more with the writing style
than with the story...it was severly over-written
* Miles_V
gives daisy1976 a polished ball of fosil s**t
<daisy1976> well, it started quite
alright but then it became boring to me
<BaldScribe>then i got
looking into this and people really do collect those droppings
<_really>
he bled everything incident and event for every drop of emotion...painfully
*
daisy1976 thanks Miles and stands with the s**t in her hand
<BaldScribe>LOL
*
DaveHowe prefers civit
cat coffee - in theory. never actually tried it :)
<BaldScribe>One in the hand is whole two in the face
<daisy1976> the brother character was
also not well developed either, it just drops by
<BaldScribe>and then falls out
<Miles_V> when I compare this novel to some of
Koontz' previous works e.g. The Watchers / Lightning then this was extremely
mediocre
<daisy1976> I also find all the New
Mexico "mystic experiences" of Jimmy Null a bit too much, very
annoying. Two or three would have been ok, but 11!
<BaldScribe>I didn't get that at all ... the brother
just goes away
<daisy1976> Was Koontz writing with a
<_really>
miles, isn't "extremely mediocre" somewhat contradictory?
<HellRezor>
an oxymoron you say ?
<Miles_V> well how would you put it _really ?
<BaldScribe>as moderately mediocre
?
<_really>
i might say the same thing but i'd
hate myself for saying it :)
<daisy1976> i
immensely enjoyed Koontz novels so far, that's why i
suggested The Husband
<daisy1976> also because really wanted
something with drama :)
<daisy1976> but al in all, i think it would make a good movie, and this is the first
time i've ever said that, because i
usually find books much more enjoyable than movies, but it is, sadly, true.
<BaldScribe>Ok i'll ask
this question again .. "What is it with Koontz
and dogs?"
<Miles_V> daisy1976 - don't feel too bad - Koontz is
an author who's books I would read every time
<daisy1976> he overdid the dog bit in
The Taking alright
<HellRezor>
not sure, but i think they play poker on his wall and
ravage his mind
<Miles_V> I loved his 'Einstein' dog
<Parlabane> dunno i only read a dog was abducted only to had the abductee shot
<BaldScribe>seems every book has a dog in it
<Parlabane> did a dog come after that ?
<daisy1976> don't remember any dog in
The House of Thunder
<Parlabane> i do prefer dog
people to cat pople though"
<BaldScribe>I've read only a few Koontz books
<BaldScribe>i guess i got lucky
<Parlabane> heheh
<Parlabane> or not ;)
<BaldScribe>huh
<daisy1976> and what do you think of the
gardener's wife, Holly?
<BaldScribe>well dog spelled backwards is god after
all
<Parlabane> did she end up being part of the act ?
<daisy1976> you didn't read the book Parlabane?
<BaldScribe>I was hoping she was part of the
kidnapping
<BaldScribe>but was disappointed
<Parlabane> well i got to
the point where his father and stool samples
<Parlabane> and not wanting this vist
to be about money
<daisy1976> then this is a spoiler
<Parlabane> what happened after that
<daisy1976> i
think the wife has a very poor perfomance
<_really>
read the book
<BaldScribe>the parent relationship was fascinating
<Parlabane> oh no
<Parlabane> i tried but ran
out of time
<BaldScribe>i once saw a
wife make her husband stand in a corner
<Miles_V> immagine being
locked up in a dark room
<BaldScribe>that was fun to witness
<daisy1976> but how could those parents
do that to 5 kids for years without anyone dennouncing
them or something?
<Parlabane> do what ?
<daisy1976> it was very cruel
<BaldScribe>I don't doubt some are doing it
<HellRezor>
did he look like he was hit with a cat regularly BaldScribe ?
<Parlabane> predator and prey thing
?
<Parlabane> could you develop
<daisy1976> locked them in an isolated
soundproof room for weeks
<BaldScribe>yes HellRezor
he was cat whipped
<BaldScribe>(:Þ
<Parlabane> oh
<daisy1976> Parlabane,
the parents locked them in an isolated soundproof room for weeks
<BaldScribe>one could come out of their with twitch
or two
<daisy1976> only giving them bread and
water
<HellRezor>
abuse happens daisy1976, sometimes the people around turn a blind eye and 'mind
their own buisness'
<Parlabane> these days people usually turn the other
way
<BaldScribe>anyone with more than one sibling knows
too that they all turn out differently
<Parlabane> muggings in broad daylight only happen
because of this
<Parlabane> that's true BaldScribe
<daisy1976> I love Dean Koontz but this
isn't going to make my favorites list. It was enjoyable but it was missing
something.
<BaldScribe>i would like to
have seen more of the sisters in this book
<Miles_V> true daisy1976
<HellRezor>
anyone with more than one sibling know too that abuse happens :}
<BaldScribe>that's true HellRezor
<Parlabane> true
<BaldScribe>more often than most realize
<daisy1976> i
have 2 brothers, and was never abused or punished by them, not even pushed
around
<Parlabane> you were lucky then
<HellRezor>
very lucky
<Parlabane> i have done my
fair share unfortunately
<Parlabane> but that was then
<HellRezor>
assuming you're not the oldest, daisy1976 ?
<Parlabane> now i am older
and less of an idiot
<daisy1976> it beats me how this book
made it to # 1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list and stayed in
the top ten for over 8 weeks
<BaldScribe>I didn't have any trouble with mine
either ... but the peace cost my mother a good lamp
<Miles_V> you have to be kidding daisy1976? for 8 weeks?
<daisy1976> yep
<Miles_V> that must have been due to pure momentum
<BaldScribe>I often wonder if the best sellers list
isn't policitcal
<Parlabane> heheh people
will buy anything
<Parlabane> well that too BaldScribe
<Miles_V> he was coasting on his previous success
<BaldScribe>*political
<daisy1976> check this out: In addition,
the book held the top slot on the LA Times and Wall Street Journal lists as
well. THE HUSBAND was also in the top 10 of the USA Today, Entertainment
Weekly, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, Denver Post, list
and even appeared on Book Sense hardcover bestseller list.
<BaldScribe>jeesh
<BaldScribe>wow
<Parlabane> but as Miles_V said
the last one went well so people bought the newest one
<Parlabane> doesn'tmean
they read it or enjoyed it though
<BaldScribe>a case of name selling books
<daisy1976> and what do you guys think
of the Jimmy Null character?
<Parlabane> never got to him
<daisy1976> oh Parlabane!
<BaldScribe>i found him
probable
<Miles_V> reminds me of another great author I enjoy
- David Eddings - I loved his Belgariad
seres etc. but then he wrote a terrible flop (IMHO)
called 'The Redmption of Althalus'
and I bought the book based on his previous track record - I gave the book away
<HellRezor>
i don't trust the bestseller list
<daisy1976> anything is probable these
days BaldScribe
<Miles_V> (but granted this book wasn't that bad)
<Parlabane> i quite like
the guy at first though his helper gardener surfer mentality :)
<daisy1976> Miles are you kidding?? The
Redemption... is one of my favs by Eddings!!
<daisy1976> The Losers is the one i hate
<HellRezor>
its most often a case of the herd following the leader
<Miles_V> aaarg - that
book! give me time and I will rip it to shreds!
* BaldScribe takes the hedge
cutters off Miles_V
* Miles_V simmers down :D
<BaldScribe>it wasn't a /bad/ book ... just a
disappointing one to me
<daisy1976> i
read somewhere that Koontz might be using a ghost writer, 'cause his latests books are not at all his style
<BaldScribe>something i would
read on an airplane
<daisy1976> wich
one BaldScribe?
<BaldScribe>that would be interesting if true
<BaldScribe>The Husband
<daisy1976> ahh
<daisy1976> of course, as i said, entertaining, but not a grabber
<Parlabane> i secong that
<Parlabane> *second
<daisy1976> Parlabane,
you didn't even finish!
* DaveHowe agrees with Miles_V - he used to be a
big fan of eddings until /redemption/
<Parlabane> heheh
* Miles_V and DaveHowe
gangs up on daisy1976 :)
<Parlabane> yeah true
*
daisy1976 hides her copy of Redemption
<DaveHowe>
still, you can overdose on childlike goddesses and glowing blue stones :)
<HellRezor>
i've read eddings, can't
say i'm a big fan
<Miles_V> brain-washed she is mmmm
<daisy1976> c'mon, it was a very fun
book
<daisy1976> funny*
<Parlabane> never read eddings
<daisy1976> The Loser by Eddings
<DaveHowe> or where she will stick it :)
<daisy1976> that book i could tear to pieces
<daisy1976> lol
<daisy1976> anyway, i
think Koontz has lost the ability to shock
<BaldScribe>Oh ... Phew ... thought we were talking
about boyfriends
<DaveHowe> daisy1976: we already know about the loser
from eddings - its called /redemption/ :)
*
daisy1976 slaps DaveHowe around a bit with a
large trout
<BaldScribe>he didn't shock in this book .. i think he is just getting lazy
*
HellRezor rocks in the corner and mumbles
*savages ... savages ... tearing books ... the . hooorrroooor*
<Miles_V> it must be difficult to attempt another
'Watchers' type book
<daisy1976> you know, same happened to
me with Stephen King's Cell
<BaldScribe>King is another not on my favorite author
list
<BaldScribe>i find him
inconsistent too
<daisy1976> mine too, BaldScribe, but when i read Cell i felt King had lost it's touch
<daisy1976> same thing i felt with Husband
<BaldScribe>It's sad to see good authors not writing
their best just for the dollars
<HellRezor>
king always was more of a t.o to me than a persued author
<daisy1976> now i
do't even want to touch the next Harry Potter, are
writers losing it?
<BaldScribe>LoL
<BaldScribe>I agree daisy1976
<BaldScribe>i'm not sure i want to read another HP
<daisy1976> i
do want to BaldScribe, i'm
just afraid it will be bad
<daisy1976> are you guys misbehaving
here?
<BaldScribe>yes i will read
on too ... but with trepidation
<DaveHowe>
BaldScribe: vi or emacs?
<daisy1976> hehehe
i bet you haven't had such fun in months
<daisy1976> let's write a petition to
Koontz :)
<BaldScribe>interesting the Knootz
grew up in my neck of the woods
<Miles_V> yeah!
<BaldScribe>didn't know that before
<daisy1976> me neither
<daisy1976> didn't know he was poor
<HellRezor>
not anymore
<daisy1976> i
bet :)
<daisy1976> well guys, i have to go now
<HellRezor>
nighty night daisy
<BaldScribe>Ok ... Thanks daisy1976 ... Good Job!!!
<Miles_V> nn daisy1976!
<daisy1976> thanks BaldScribe
<Miles_V> great job!
<daisy1976> goodnight to all
<Miles_V> what is our next book?
* daisy1976
kisses them all goodnight
*
BaldScribe reminds everyone to please go to the
forum and nominate ONE book for next month
<daisy1976> yeah, you all do that
<daisy1976> bye, see ya
on monday
<Miles_V> Orphanage....
<BaldScribe>fun read
<BaldScribe>kind of like Heinlein's star troopers
<BaldScribe>will be interested in reading the series
<Miles_V> nudge nudge
<Parlabane> what series
<Parlabane> i thought it
was catcher in the rye ;)
<BaldScribe>Robert Buettner's
Orphanage Parlabane
<BaldScribe>don't know what the series name will be
<BaldScribe>only one book out so far
<Parlabane> ok let me start now then
<Parlabane> i might have it
finished by next month
<HellRezor>
hmm if we're going to read 1st in a new series than weber's
hell's gate is very good
<BaldScribe>don't know that will be the book ... but
you can campaign for it
<BaldScribe>(:Þ
<BaldScribe>haven't read that one HellRezor
<BaldScribe>is it here yet ?
<HellRezor>
yes
<HellRezor>
been here a while
<Miles_V> HellRezor - his
Hell's gate seems very similar to his Honor Harrington univers
<HellRezor>
no way
<BaldScribe>I'll have to get it ... not on my list
<HellRezor>
why do you say that ?
<Miles_V> think of it - the portals are like the
wormholes in space etc
<HellRezor>
thats the similarity ?
<Miles_V> I can see a lot of similarity in his
characters too
<Miles_V> granted Weber is Weber - he is good at what
he does
<BaldScribe>i really liked
the first few Honor books
<HellRezor>
well ... maybe its the way he writes caracters , but
there's alot more diffrent
than similar
<BaldScribe>got a little much after awhile
<Miles_V> hehe - HellRezor - relax :)
<_really>
relax...okay
<_really>
im going back out to the porch to listen
<_really>
and maybe fall asleep :)
<Miles_V> We will ahve to
see how he tells the tale in book2
<_really>
i enjoyed it, folks
<Miles_V> bye _really
<HellRezor>
nighty night _really
<_really>
im not leaving
<_really>
just going out on the porch
<_really>
later....
<Miles_V> Honor Harrington is certainly one of my fav series
<BaldScribe>gNite Miles_V
<BaldScribe>i can't find
hells gate ... is that a series name or the book name ?
<HellRezor>
book name
<HellRezor>
hell's gate
<Miles_V> so it's with a bit of trepidation that I
wait to see how he evolves his Hell's Gate series - hopefully it will be
significantly different from his HH socio/political/royalty style of writing
<HellRezor>
the series name is supposedly 'new multiverse'
<BaldScribe>found it :)
<HellRezor>
well, that part is a bit similar now that you mention it Miles_V
<HellRezor>
but the scope is different and i don't think its
quite the same
<Miles_V> but you see the broad similarities right?
<HellRezor>
the whole socio political thing ? yes
<HellRezor>
still its only the begining and i
think he's exploring different type of those coltures,
also the political aspect seems to take a back seat more than it did in the
honor series
<Miles_V> guys I'm tired :) Will see you all around!
<BaldScribe>I have dukes spamguard running
<Miles_V> nn BaldScribe / HellRezor
<HellRezor>
nighty night
<BaldScribe>gNite Miles_V glad you could make it tonight
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