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topdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Technically, this is book three in the “Adversary Cycle” and also fits into F. Paul Wilson’s overall “Secret History of the World” but it certainly reads as a stand-alone novel. I understand the connection with the larger series is revealed in [b:Nightworld|219412|Nightworld (Adversary Cycle, #6)|F. Paul Wilson|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388271206s/219412.jpg|212439], the culminating novel of both the “Adversary Cycle” and the “Repairman Jack” books.
This novel harkens back to the days when the author wrote a number of medical thrillers and that, essentially, is what this one is. The difference, of course, is the rather profound supernatural aspect here of the Dat-tay-vao, or The Touch where a person is granted the power of healing another just by touching them at certain times during the day. There is a price to pay for the person with the power and therein lies the essence of the plot. The author has experience as a doctor and this really shows throughout the course of this novel. My copy of the book also includes a short story prequel entiled "Dat-tay-vao" which takes place in 1968 and should not be read prior to the novel itself. It does briefly introduce a character that will be involved in the YA Jack books.
Overall, there is a little less urgency here than we find in Wilson’s later novels. This was originally written in the 1980’s but I read the updated 2004 edition after the author re-worked it into part of the larger series. The horror aspects are minimal; I wouldn’t even classify it as such. This is not everybody’s favorite F.P. Wilson book to be sure, probably because it is a stand-alone but I found it quite interesting and fully engaging. If you generally like Wilson’s work, then don’t skip this one.
This novel harkens back to the days when the author wrote a number of medical thrillers and that, essentially, is what this one is. The difference, of course, is the rather profound supernatural aspect here of the Dat-tay-vao, or The Touch where a person is granted the power of healing another just by touching them at certain times during the day. There is a price to pay for the person with the power and therein lies the essence of the plot. The author has experience as a doctor and this really shows throughout the course of this novel. My copy of the book also includes a short story prequel entiled "Dat-tay-vao" which takes place in 1968 and should not be read prior to the novel itself. It does briefly introduce a character that will be involved in the YA Jack books.
Overall, there is a little less urgency here than we find in Wilson’s later novels. This was originally written in the 1980’s but I read the updated 2004 edition after the author re-worked it into part of the larger series. The horror aspects are minimal; I wouldn’t even classify it as such. This is not everybody’s favorite F.P. Wilson book to be sure, probably because it is a stand-alone but I found it quite interesting and fully engaging. If you generally like Wilson’s work, then don’t skip this one.
lancefestivalen's review against another edition
2.0
Judging only by the back cover, I'd skip it without giving it much thought. But this is part of a series (The Adversary Cycle) and after reading the first two novels, I just couldn't skip this one, could I?
It's a rather fast paced read. It took me a day (and I did a lot of other things that day as well). The story tells of a doctor who mysteriously gains the power to heal people by simply touching them. Of course this ability comes with a price...
There are some loose ends (or if they're supposed to be like spicy side orders), but overall it's a nice and sometimes even heartfelt little drama. Written as from a manual, as were the other two books in the series, but still highly enjoyable and equally forgettable. I might read the fourth book next summer.
It's a rather fast paced read. It took me a day (and I did a lot of other things that day as well). The story tells of a doctor who mysteriously gains the power to heal people by simply touching them. Of course this ability comes with a price...
There are some loose ends (or if they're supposed to be like spicy side orders), but overall it's a nice and sometimes even heartfelt little drama. Written as from a manual, as were the other two books in the series, but still highly enjoyable and equally forgettable. I might read the fourth book next summer.
mattabee's review against another edition
3.0
Fun enough, but not as much horror as the other books in the series. The characters are a bit flatter than in the other books. The finale is a bit cartoonish, but it’s fun at least.
tessla's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mauraski's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this! I hope to read more by this same author soon.
hollydoesstuff's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn't that this was terrible, but more that I just stopped caring. I wanted to read all the other FPW books before the end of the saga, but to be honest, if there's no Jack, I'm just not interested.
stevenguglich's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the first novels I ever read, and it captivated me... sucked me in... moved me... and helped to foster my love of incredible story telling. It was the first book that made me cry.
It's been over 30 years since I read it, and I'm afraid to read it again... afraid that I won't experience it like I did the first time.
It's been over 30 years since I read it, and I'm afraid to read it again... afraid that I won't experience it like I did the first time.
david_agranoff's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, I read all 448 pages of this novel in a weekend, while still reading another book. I found this medical horror drama to be a serious page turner. This book is considered to be book four in the Adversary Cycle and fits into the Secret History of the World timeline just after Ground Zero (Repairman Jack #13) and Reprisal (AC Book #5).
Written back in the 80’s I read the 2004 edition which is updated and also contains a bonus prologue short story. As an author I personally strive to write books that are so perfect for me that no one else could write them. In many ways The Touch is very much a novel that only F.Paul Wilson could attempt. Wilson you see was a practicing doctor before devoting himself to writing full time.
The story of the Touch is about a doctor named Alan who is the last of a dying breed. A family doctor with a private practice. He loves being a doctor and is called to heal. Then one day after a bizarre interaction with a homeless vet, Alan discovers he has the ability to heal any illness with a single touch.
What follows is not your typical horror novel. Sure you could call it a supernatural medical drama, but the horror of what this power means to Alan is very real if you do horror readers only job(put yourself in the shoes of the character). The characters are so well written it really helps the pages turn, you will become involved in the characters, even if it lacks Wilson’s trademark adventure.
Doesn’t matter the novel cooks. It connects to the series in minor that I can tell but I imagine once I read to the next two Adversary books they might tie in more. The character of Clubfoot Annie is an interesting one and readers of the series will find an explanation for her condition in the Repairman Jack novel Conspiracies. Willson…dude you are a genius of plot weaving. I’m in awe again. I feel like the Wayne’s World guys, like I should be on my knees saying I’m not worthy.
The Touch gets a bit preachy at times, but who am I to complain about that? Wilson is a libratarian and a doctor, this bleeds through the pages, but I can’t begrudge a Doctor getting on his/her soapbox for a few pages.
Great novel, read it even if you don’t want to commit to the series. It stands alone.
karireads's review against another edition
This one did not age well. Many of the characters (Ba, Sylvia) were based on stereotypes that feel quite dated.
acknud's review against another edition
4.0
My appreciation of this book grew as the story went along. It did take it 80-100 pages to really get going. I have a little medical background so I enjoyed reading about 1980's era medicine and I think Mr. Wilson handled the medical aspect of the story very well. I found the characters interesting and easy the get involved with. Interesting supernatural yarn! I think I will read a Repairman Jack book next.