Innocence

A Novel

De: Dean Koontz

Narrado por: MacLeod Andrews

He lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from society, which will destroy him if he is ever seen.

She dwells in seclusion, a fugitive from enemies who will do her harm if she is ever found.

But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives. Something more than chance - and nothing less than destiny - has brought them together in a world whose hour of reckoning is fast approaching.

In Innocence, number-one New York Times best-selling author Dean Koontz blends mystery, suspense, and acute insight into the human soul in a masterfully told tale that will resonate with listeners forever.

©2013 Dean Koontz (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Reseñas de la Crítica

"Laced with fantastical mysticism, it’s an allegory of nonviolence, acceptance and love in the face of adversity. . . . The narrative is intense, with an old-fashioned ominousness and artistically crafted descriptions. . . . An optimistic and unexpected conclusion [mirrors] his theme. Something different this way comes from Mr. Koontz’s imagination. Enjoy." ( Kirkus Reviews)

"Entrancing . . . as speedy a chase-thriller as any Koontz . . . has ever constructed. Written in Koontz’ late mellifluent and reflective manner . . . [ Innocence is] fueled by deep disgust with the world’s evils [and] hope for redemption" ( Booklist, starred review)

"[An] imaginative, mystical thriller from bestseller Koontz . . . This is the most satisfying Koontz standalone in a while" ( Publishers Weekly)

Best Dean Koontz book yet

As someone who has enjoyed the Odd Thomas line of books, I always consider a book featuring another character to be a deviation from and an unwelcome departure from that wonderful story arc. But in this book Dean Koontz delivers a tale of wonder, mystery, love, intrigue, and joy that is profoundly philosophical and thematically rich. It seems as though Koontz must have labored over this as an act of love, and you can feel his deep sense of humility, his kindness and gentleness, and his abiding belief that there is good in all of us, if we are but to discover it. Koontz does not scare me like Steven King. Reading his works makes me want to be a better man, and reminds me that we all fall short of the marks we set for ourselves in that pursuit.
It would do no good for me to describe the plot and substance of this book. It is something that you must discover for yourself. Like Intensity and the last of the Odd Thomas books, this has some disturbing descriptions in it, but it also leaves you with the feeling that Koontz is on to something. TS Elliott has always featured prominently in his works, and you can find the allegory in this work as well. The book is very well read, and the audio characterizations are exceptionally well done. Get this book and listen to it. You will not be sorry you did.

It hurts me to give this book a mediocre review

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

It was honestly forgettable. I used to LOVE Dean Koontz. The Brother Odd series was one of my favorites to read. But this one just didn't fit the bill for me. Usually Koontz pulls me in quickly and even if the story has a less than satisfactory ending, I feel pulled along the action in the book from the first chapter. I just didn't feel that same urgency and forward momentum in this book and I found that disappointing. I did get into the story, it just took longer and so I was expecting a long slow build to an epic climax and I got a long slow build to...the end of the book. Or at least, that's the kind of disappointment I felt with it. I just expected more since I already expect Koontz to be a master story-teller.

Would you be willing to try another book from Dean Koontz? Why or why not?

Of course, a writer as accomplished as Koontz is bound to write a dud every now and again.

Would you listen to another book narrated by MacLeod Andrews?

The narration was almost monotone through part of the book and his character voices (especially the female ones) were kind of annoying but not to the point that I couldn't listen.

Did Innocence inspire you to do anything?

Nope.

Any additional comments?

Koontz really is a great story teller but if you haven't experienced him, don't let this be your first try. Go check out the Odd Series. Even if you love him, you're probably safe to skip this one altogether.

Boy will you. Be surprised.

If you could sum up Innocence in three words, what would they be?

Inspiring, sad, hopeful.

What did you like best about this story?

The relationship between father and Addison.

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favorite?

Addison. I do love that he narrates for Koontz. The narration is so vital to an audible story. A great narrator can make a good story great

If you could rename Innocence, what would you call it?

"If We Could See"

Any additional comments?

Loved the story. I was sorry that it had to come to an end.

Ponderous, pedantic and pathetically poetic

Koontz tried hard with this novel. In an effort to elevate the prose to be worthy of his protagonist he went overly verbose and needlessly tedious. It held my interest mostly out of curiosity of the impediments he placed on his main characters, and out of a desire to see the big reveal we knew was coming, but for the most part I found it boring and longed for it to end. Since I listen mostly to pass the time while driving I never speed jack the rate. But I was tempted to step it up to 2.5 and get it over with. In a word to summarize my feelings.... meh.

A Let Down

The premise and beginning of the book set me up for a riveting story only to let me down by what seemed to be a rushed and forced ending.

Innocence Explained

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrews’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Never listened to him before.

Who was the most memorable character of Innocence and why?

"Son of it" ADDISON was an innocent from birth. When his mom saved him from the mid wife trying to murder him, she made the world a better place. The words that come from him throughout the book and then Gwynneth's words also, were just beautiful. This is a love story intertwined with a thriller/mystery novel.

Any additional comments?

The fact that the little girl, Mariah, woke up "suddenly" after 3 years in a coma, at just the exact moment that they came for her was an unbelievable part of the story. She's in a coma and being cared for by nurses and a physician assistant, and suddenly she is awake, and able to walk up and down stairs, and run? Not a believable part of the story. However, the ending is remarkable. I hope that the book has a second one, it would make a good series if the author picked up from where they left off with Addison, Mariah, Gwynneth and the twins with the forest animals and the "new world".

Extraordinary. Simply extraordinary

Simply could not stop listening to learn the reason why Addison Goodheart, and others, consider his appearance to be so horrifying and dangerous to man-kind. This is more than a beauty and the beast theme because Gwynneth is more than a simple beauty on the outside. Her character is rich and fully developed. This is a story of innocence triumphing over evil in all its forms. It's a keeper.
Bravo, Mr. Koontz.

good

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes

What other book might you compare Innocence to and why?

I think this is like his earlier novels. Which I am thankful for. Deep and thought provoking yet simple. He's gotten too much like Stephen King the last few years in my opinion. Too much violence.

Any additional comments?

Love the ending!

Great Listen

I've listened to Dean Koontz and read any of his books I could find and have done so for years - he really started slipping a few years ago but I feel this one is back up almost to par with some of his earlier works. I very much enjoyed the narrator and will look him up to see what else he's done. If you're a Koontz fan I don't think you'll be disappointed - good read not his best but good and glad I tried it!

One caveat.... the ending was somewhat muddled to me and the bad guy gets off too easy.

intersting book with almost no bad language

I run hot and cold on Koontz, but this is a book I liked quite a bit.
Wonderful descriptions, great characters. Just don't base your life theology on the book's premise.
Dealt with difficult subjects pretty gracefully.
a thought provoking book and a good read.