Dean Koontz: "Velocity"

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Fri, 2006-06-16 12:06

Every now and then I like to read a Koontz or a King or another one of those super-best-selling authors, to remind myself how they do it. What sells. What is devoured by the masses. Try as I might (which I don't, actually, but some may say perhaps I should), I just can't bring myself to dislike such populist fiction. I've always enjoyed the easy, flowing nature of Koontz. His books have such a strong and real sense of character, they grip you from the beginning and don't let go, and they never cease to be hugely entertaining. What more could be asked for in a novel?

The latest, for me, is "Velocity": about a highly intelligent, creative and anonymous-to-the-end psychopath, who sets the protagonist a series of challenges, a series of choices, whereby he (Billy Wiles) will decide whether, for example, an old woman dies or a pretty young blond dies, etc, etc. The book is relentless, dark and philosophical, exploring the more undesirable parts of the human psyche. Yes, it's entertaining and gripping, but after the first chapter, it never lets you feel comfortable. It asks such questions as "how far would you go to save a loved one?" and "what is the nature of art?" and at every stage in Billy Wiles' disintegration you continue to feel a profound and painful sympathy for his situation and the choices he is forced to make.

Koontz was once the master of the formulaic dark fantasy, with almost inevitable romantic overtones, but his work has become darker and more complex. "Velocity" exemplifies the epitomy of this evolution. Populist he may be, but easy on the soul he is not!

*** pepsoid ***

(herewith lies a blog: http://www.oddcourgette.blogspot.com )

Fri, 2006-06-16 12:16

glastobasto

I have not read Velocity, in fact had never read a Koontz novel until recently when I read 'The Taking' and of it's type i thought it one of the best I had ever read or in the last few years at least.

Fri, 2006-06-16 13:23

pepsoid

Not yet read "The Taking." I used to be a huge fan of Koontz, but now I only dip into his work occasionally - always enjoy 'em though. There was a time when you would be lucky to find me without a King, a Koontz, a Herbert or a Barker in my hands. Then I discovered sci-fi... And now I'm proud to consider myself a non-genre-specific reader! :-) * P * :-) ( Read my blog! - www.oddcourgette.blogspot.com )

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

Sat, 2006-06-17 06:13

mikepyro

i just read velocity two weeks ago. incredible writing and deatil. I've only read about three other books of koontz, icebound, Tick Tock, and Dark Rivers of the Heart. Dark rivers was so emotionally draining that koontz took a two year break away from writing i heard.

Give me the beat boys and free my soul! I wanna getta lost in ya rock n' roll and drift away. Drift away...

Sat, 2006-06-17 11:57

Jack Cade

"Try as I might (which I don't, actually, but some may say perhaps I should), I just can't bring myself to dislike such populist fiction." That's interesting. I want to like populist stuff on principle, because, really, the imaginary divide between 'high' and 'low' art is sans justification and should be crushed. Popular doesn't equal bad any more than it equals good. But, conversely to yourself, I can't bring myself to feel an iota of affection for Koontz, or other airport novelists. I've read - or, skimmed - the odd one here or there (especially James Patterson,) because people tend to leave them behind in holiday caravans and at coach stations. I just don't see the attraction - the characters are the literary equivalent of those toys that you get in poundland - obvious cheap copies of famous brands like Barbie and Action Man, barely skirting copyright laws by being called Babby and Axion Bloke. They never seem to act in an unpredictable *or* sensible way. There are countless people who get killed by being muppets. The killer is always vicious and playful, but kept mostly in the shadows. The plots are solid enough - I'm not too good at noticing holes and the like anyway - but the number of cliches constantly bugs me. It's as if everything interesting and random and new that could have crept into the book has been ruthlessly edited out. King's different. He experiments. I can understand people liking him, though I'll never get why he's so much more popular than various other good writers.

Sun, 2006-06-18 09:05

pepsoid

>>> It's as if everything interesting and random and new that could have crept into the book has been ruthlessly edited out. I think telling old, well-worn stories in new ways is as valid as being highly original. :-) * P * :-) ( Read my blog! - www.oddcourgette.blogspot.com )

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Sun, 2006-06-18 14:00

Jack Cade

I'm not going to question their validity, but I think any writer will find new ideas and stuff creeping in if they keep at it long enough, and the idea that they, or their editor, work to reduce this in order to keep the book to a reader-friendly formula is something I find a bit frightening. Plus, reading takes effort, and these days I only ever feel the effort is worth it if I'm reading something with some kind of ambition.

Mon, 2006-06-19 10:54

pepsoid

You don't ever want to read just to be entertained? :-) * P * :-) ( Read my blog! - www.oddcourgette.blogspot.com )

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Mon, 2006-06-19 12:03

Jack Cade

I do, but for me, entertainment equals ambition. Or action comics. Reading something utterly conventional just feels like hard work without the reward.

Mon, 2006-06-19 14:01

#10

pepsoid

Ahh well, I enjoyed it... :-) :-) * P * :-) ( Read my blog! - www.oddcourgette.blogspot.com )

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

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