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sianw1992's review against another edition
3.0
My mum has been going on about Dean Koontz's Strangers for as long as I can remember. I tried to read it a couple of years ago, but got bogged down. So I put it aside promising to come back to it later.
This time around I managed to finish it although it was slow going! The story revolves around a number of strangers, all living in different parts of America. Several of the individuals have experienced nightmares or new phobias since the summer before last. But none of them can remember what occurred over those few days.
I think the number of main characters was just enough for the reader to follow and remain interested, but not too many that they become mixed up. I enjoyed that each character had a very different background and that they all reacted differently to whatever happened.
I particularly enjoyed reading about Brendan Cronin. Faith and religion is always something that interests me and Brendan's struggle was really intriguing to me.
I also enjoyed Jorja's character, especially her relationship with her parents, who were frankly, horrible people. I think Koontz is really good at detailing relationships and understanding how people communicate with each other.
There are also a range of supporting characters that provide great humour and balance with the main characters. Although I was a bit disappointed with Colonel Leland and how stereotypical he was.
I enjoyed the first half of the book. Each clue was revealed slowly and for the most part left the reader in the dark. Then as things start to come together it actually seems to go downhill. I felt it lost it's intrigue. I also found the last one hundred and fifty pages very predictable. Once I'd worked out what the mystery was, the whole thing lost it's magic. Plus the introduction of the military disappointed me a little too.
I just felt that the mystery had so much potential, and by the end it was all a bit of a let down. I felt like Koontz was trying to make a point about the human race as a whole, and it became very sentimental.
This time around I managed to finish it although it was slow going! The story revolves around a number of strangers, all living in different parts of America. Several of the individuals have experienced nightmares or new phobias since the summer before last. But none of them can remember what occurred over those few days.
I think the number of main characters was just enough for the reader to follow and remain interested, but not too many that they become mixed up. I enjoyed that each character had a very different background and that they all reacted differently to whatever happened.
I particularly enjoyed reading about Brendan Cronin. Faith and religion is always something that interests me and Brendan's struggle was really intriguing to me.
I also enjoyed Jorja's character, especially her relationship with her parents, who were frankly, horrible people. I think Koontz is really good at detailing relationships and understanding how people communicate with each other.
There are also a range of supporting characters that provide great humour and balance with the main characters. Although I was a bit disappointed with Colonel Leland and how stereotypical he was.
I enjoyed the first half of the book. Each clue was revealed slowly and for the most part left the reader in the dark. Then as things start to come together it actually seems to go downhill. I felt it lost it's intrigue. I also found the last one hundred and fifty pages very predictable. Once I'd worked out what the mystery was, the whole thing lost it's magic. Plus the introduction of the military disappointed me a little too.
I just felt that the mystery had so much potential, and by the end it was all a bit of a let down. I felt like Koontz was trying to make a point about the human race as a whole, and it became very sentimental.
johnlambrechts's review
4.0
A good book and first by Koontz that I really enjoyed. I'll give him more of a shot in the future
labunnywtf's review
3.0
I very vaguely remember this one. The one thing I do remember is the guy who was afraid of the dark pressing in on him. That made an impression.
catsflipped's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Stephen King wrote of this book "the best Koontz has ever written", well I have to disagree. This book is very good, almost great but not his best. The main reason for not giving a 5 star rating is I felt there was a bit of fluff included in the pages. While it was necessary to give us the back story to many of the characters, in some cases I felt it was too much and a bit distracting.
Something happened 2 summers ago when a bunch of strangers all found themselves at the tranquility Motel in Elko County, Nevada. The chances of them ever meeting again were so remote and yet they all had this calling to return but none knew why. Their memories of their first encounter were gone. The truth of what happened slowly return to them and they find themselves fighting for their lives.Stephen King wrote of this book "the best Koontz has ever written", well I have to disagree. This book is very good, almost great but not his best. If I could I would have given 4.5 stars. The main reason for not giving a 5 star rating is I felt there was a bit of fluff included in the pages. While it was necessary to give us the back story to many of the characters, in some cases I felt it was too much and a bit distracting.
Something happened 2 summers ago when a bunch of strangers all found themselves at the tranquility Motel in Elko County, Nevada. The chances of them ever meeting again were so remote and yet they all had this calling to return but none knew why. Their memories of their first encounter were gone. The truth of what happened slowly return to them and they find themselves fighting for their lives.
Something happened 2 summers ago when a bunch of strangers all found themselves at the tranquility Motel in Elko County, Nevada. The chances of them ever meeting again were so remote and yet they all had this calling to return but none knew why. Their memories of their first encounter were gone. The truth of what happened slowly return to them and they find themselves fighting for their lives.Stephen King wrote of this book "the best Koontz has ever written", well I have to disagree. This book is very good, almost great but not his best. If I could I would have given 4.5 stars. The main reason for not giving a 5 star rating is I felt there was a bit of fluff included in the pages. While it was necessary to give us the back story to many of the characters, in some cases I felt it was too much and a bit distracting.
Something happened 2 summers ago when a bunch of strangers all found themselves at the tranquility Motel in Elko County, Nevada. The chances of them ever meeting again were so remote and yet they all had this calling to return but none knew why. Their memories of their first encounter were gone. The truth of what happened slowly return to them and they find themselves fighting for their lives.
wendydagny's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
nerdbrarian's review
5.0
Koontz is at the top of his form in the book. Intertwining storylines connect characters from across the nation, but he keeps the true connection under wraps until towards the end, leaving it up to the reader to try to guess. It's my favorite book by him!
thegreenknight3's review against another edition
5.0
One of his best books ever, and that’s saying something, having read over 60 of his.
magicacat's review
2.0
700 pages, unnecessarily graphic sex talk, one super annoying kid and a couple of Mary Sues... for THAT?! Jfc, what a waste of time.