Koontzland - Dean Koontz discussion

The Husband has been selected as our February 2013 Group Read. I was shocked that we didn't have a discussion thread set up for this book - so shocked that I double and triple checked the discussions, but it wasn't there so here is a brand new discussion thread. Please feel free and welcome to discuss The Husband. Please use spoilers if necessary. Thank You :-)

I wasn't too crazy about this book when I first read it, but it grew on me in retrospect. Koontz books tend to do that for me sometimes. I get past the plot and start thinking about the "layers," so to speak, the ideas and messages, and end up appreciating it more.

I just reserved a copy of it for me at the local library. :)

I didn't like this book at all. This book to me has been done before and it is not your typical Koontz book.

It actually has a lot of the typical DK themes, but it's the new high concept style which I don't much care for either. I'm glad he's getting away from it now. Still, a lot of good stuff in there.

Masha wrote: "It actually has a lot of the typical DK themes, but it's the new high concept style which I don't much care for either. I'm glad he's getting away from it now. Still, a lot of good stuff in there."

You're right. It does have Koontz themes. Good vs. evil. The chase between these two and other themes. My problem is when I read Koontz I am expecting something original and this book could have been written by someone like James Patterson. I too am glad he is getting away from this type of book.

I don't know if I'm gonna re-read this one in February.

I am so glad this book has been selected. I have the book on my shelf and will participate in the discussion. Its been a while. I really have been trying to be good about reading what I have but I have missed participating in the group discussions too. I have a few books to read before February so I will be back then. :)

Christine? Have you read The Husband before?

Nope, this will be my first time.

Maybe I will read it again in February :-) Just so I can discuss with one of my favorite goodreads friends.

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Maybe I will read it again in February :-) Just so I can discuss with one of my favorite goodreads friends."

that would be really nice to have you as part of the discussion. How long ago did you read The Husband?

I have read THE HUSBAND twice. Once when it was a new-release (2006) and again in 2009. I'd say it's time to read it again :-) You have convinced me.

Dustin, you are a dedicated GR moderator and Dean Koontz fan.

Christine wrote: "Dustin, you are a dedicated GR moderator and Dean Koontz fan."

You are just full of compliments tonight :-) Thank You!

You are welcome.

I also think you're a great moderator Dustin! I too have previously read this book and did enjoy it, but just don't remember all that much. I just began reading it again and it's coming back to me. I tend to read too many books at one time. I listen to audiobooks at work and while driving, and read other books when other people watch TV

Didn't like this book at all.

Latonya wrote: "Didn't like this book at all."

Well, I liked it the first time I read it better than the second time. Sometimes it's better just to remember the first experience but I believe it's a true test of greatness if the book is equally or more enjoyed on re-reading - that's why I have a "Worth Reading Again and Again" shelf on Goodreads :-)

I am really going to re-read The Husband - just waiting for an audiobook from the library to help me out.

I just finished the Fellowship of the Ring..and am diving into the Feb read, The Husband! I was lucky and had received it in a "lot" of books off of E Bay last month!

I have started :-)

Love this book

I had this book just sitting on my shelf waiting to be read!!!

I read this book in 2007 I was really into it i couldnt put it down! I think i finsh it one day! If my library has it i will check it out again and re read it. I got alot of his books but not this one :(

Jenn wrote: "I had this book just sitting on my shelf waiting to be read!!!"

So did I! :)

I did not like this book at all the first time I read it.

Latonya wrote: "I did not like this book at all the first time I read it."

Then I wouldn't bother re-reading this one. I am on my third time reading it - so far, I am not impressed :-(
I think The Husband is worth reading once.

It's been quite a while since I've read this book. I remember it very clearly, or at least I think I do. I too will have to pull it out and read it this month. I know that I enjoyed it, but it also let me down a little. After reading books like Watchers, Fear Nothing, Door to December. I'm not saying it's a bad book, by any means. Just not as good as some of the others. I'm babbling.

Well I'm done reading The Husband. It was ok but it will be a long time before I read it again.

I really liked The Husband, it is one of my favorite Koontz books. Now...off to read The Two Towers by Tolkien!

I read this book before. When it comes to Koontz I seem to wolf them down the first read and it is only with re-reading that I get to find those layers and themes. I have said this before but I think it's one of the advantages of getting older because I don't remember the details of books. I remember at the I read it I was a little let-down. I've just started re-reading it and am glad that I have although I was saddened by the end of the first chapter when the person on the phone wanted the husband to know he meant business. So far, Watchers is still my favorite. I am not sure about what comes in after that, mostly because doing the group reads, I have gotten so much more out of a few of the books.

There are a lot of moths in this book.

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "There are a lot of moths in this book."

LOL! Yes, yes there are!

Oh good I'm glad someone else noticed the moths. I thought it might just be my copy. I bought the book at a thrift store so I thought it might be possible that the previous owner did not store the book properly and the book somehow attracted moths that weren't supposed to be there.

oh no... my brain... I just watched Mothman on tv last night and everything is making me think of moths now.

Of course there would be a character called Mickey. I think Dean likes Mickey Mouse. Remember how important Mickey Mouse was in Watchers? And he has used Mickey Mouse in other books too.

It's like connect the dots then isn't it? Then there are the hefty males that Odd and Chris Snow look up to. They are alike. But so far this is no character in another set of Koontz books that links to Mungojerry, the cat. I think that's why I like him so much.

Karen B wrote: "oh no... my brain... I just watched Mothman on tv last night and everything is making me think of moths now."

Have you seen the movie Mothman Prophecy I think it is called? I think there is also a moth in The Silence of the Lambs.

I do like the simple life that Mitch and Holly have created for themselves. I like the idea of simplicity and the description of their home sounds very nice.

Dustin Crazy little brown owl wrote: "Karen B wrote: "oh no... my brain... I just watched Mothman on tv last night and everything is making me think of moths now."

Have you seen the movie Mothman Prophecy I think it is called? I think..."

There are. In Silence of the Lambs, there is a special kind of moth shoved down the throat of the person killed.

Also, on the Minnie and Mickey note, I notice a lot of Edgar Allan Poe references, as well.

I'm on page 155 or so...Anson's been drawn into the story, proving to be the target - for the financial side of the scheme, at least. As there are over 250 pages left to go, I am wondering how Koontz is going to draw the story out to fill all those pages. Though as I also find myself wondering how I made it to page 155 when I can't really recall that many pages of worthy story material, perhaps I already know how we'll get to page 400+.

I am in about the same spot and wondering the same things but it seems there are a lot of twists and turns in this novel so I am sure there are plenty of surprises to come.

Christine wrote: "I am in about the same spot and wondering the same things but it seems there are a lot of twists and turns in this novel so I am sure there are plenty of surprises to come."


That's what I'm hoping. :)

I finished it. I liked it, and it did twist in a couple of ways I was not expecting, though it wasn't as much of a thriller as I was hoping for based on the description. I was also disappointed with how Koontz chose to tell it. All from Mitch's point-of-view or more evenly spaced from his and Holly's POVs would have made more sense than introducing Holly's POV in chapter 28, nearly halfway into the story (page 180 of 415 in the edition I read). I was also confused by the frequent appearance of moths: why were they brought up so much when there wasn't a discernible reason to bring them up? And lastly, while I liked the happy ending, it seemed tacked on, especially as Taggart was a part of it. (I might not have felt like it was tacked on - as much, at least - had one simple change been made: instead of writing Chapter 68, it should have been the Epilogue.)

I am not finished yet; having problems with headaches and reading. But so far I don't like this book much at all. I always like Koontz books because there are usually unexplainable things going on but so far I haven't seen that. The only thing I have gotten to is Mitch pulling up the floorboards and the whole nail imagery and thinking of Holly as if to make a stronger tie between them. I like all the things that Mitch says about being a husband and what that means to him. I am just waiting for the eerie music to begin if you know what I mean.

Karen B: Re: headaches with reading. I have the same problem. The eye movement with reading really aggravates my headaches. Try audible.com for audiobooks! I've found it's a great way to keep my mind busy during the headaches.

I have greatly enjoyed this book.

Emily wrote: "Karen B: Re: headaches with reading. I have the same problem. The eye movement with reading really aggravates my headaches. Try audible.com for audiobooks! I've found it's a great way to keep my mi...

Emily that's a great idea thank you. And on my Kindle Touch I have the ability to have the book read.

I really liked this book. It wasn't your typical Dean Koontz novel and I think that is why I liked it. I like when an author can give you the unexpected and do it well. It was a bit dry at times but there were a number of much needed surprises that made the story move along. Mitch's parents were definitely different and his brother was something I didn't see coming. What I didn't get was the kidnapper's references to things that happened in New Mexico and then the naming of the son, Anthony? That still has me scratching my head. If someone can explain, I would appreciate it.

I thought maybe the kidnapper's references were going to be explained before the ending. I did think too that Mitch's distrust of the detective was almost as sort of pyschic thing. I have just gotten to the point where Mitch and the detective are in the car and I believe Mitch shot him. Just tell me there are more twists coming please. It's really weird that I know I must have read this before but I don't remember it. I remember that he was a landscaper, his wife was kidnapped and that the kidnappers shot a man in his view to prove their seriousness. But didn't remember a thing about the whole brother/parents thing which made it more suspenseful. I am just used to being so determined to figure out what Koontz is trying to point to, and it drove me to read faster. My first Koontz book was Taken and I remember not being able to put the book down until 2:00 am when my eyes were closing on me. And then finishing it the next night with that same anxiousness. Right now I am in a personal place were I really need to get lost in a book and I guess that's why I am SLIGHTLY disappointed.