Gone to the Dogs... :) (original) (raw)

(Crossposted to deankoontz.)

Wow...just finished "The Taking", and DANG, that was one dark, creepy rollercoaster of a book. O_o I was almost afraid to read it all the way to the end, unable to imagine how there could be any hope, any way out of that nightmare...but...well, I won't give it away. ;) I will say this, though...after reading so many of his intelligent dog/religious-themed books, I can't help but wonder if Koontz might secretly be a Christian therian (canine, of course). IMO, you can't write so many books along this same theme, and so very passionately, without believing/feeling it yourself to some extent. You can sense behind his words his own deep yearning to commune with dogs, to understand their thoughts, to be one with them and with nature, to regain Paradise Lost. Many of his fans are now griping about "all the religious dog stories", but I for one hope he keeps writing them; I dearly love them. They are full of such warm joy, hope, faith, love and courage amidst all the stark despair, horror, sorrow, death and darkness...Definitely worth reading, all of them, whether or not you're religious, whether or not you're a dog lover, whether or not you've ever read any other Koontz books at all (I've read most of them). My fave dog stories are, in this order: "The Watchers", "One Door Away From Heaven", "Fear Nothing", it's sequel "Seize the Night", and "The Taking". Not sure if he's done any other dog stories beyond these; can anyone here tell me? *eagerly looks forward to getting his next novel* :)

~SD

P.S. Anyone else here read "Oddkins"? I loved it, as did my 11yo son. :)