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False Memory

False Memory

List Price: $39.95
Your Price: $26.37
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Nothing like I expected but still excellent
Review: When I bought this book I expected it to be something entirely different than what it was but it still turned out to be better (and less cornier) than I thought it would be. When I saw how long it was I thought it would take me forever to finish it but by page 3 I was hooked and finished in four days. The pace is fast but not so fast that it lacks plot or character development. The doctor was just a little redundant, though, and seems like the perfect mix of two previous Dean Koontz characters (the doc with the steel hand in "The Key to Midnight" and Bryan Drackman in "Dragon Tears")but was definitely not a boring or typical villain. It's a great read and I'd write more about it but some guy who looks like Billy Crystal just told me to jump off a roof.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good night read
Review: I have not read many Koontz novels; when it comes to horror I read more King. Still, this newest book by Koontz is an entertaining read with an unusual bent. Unfortunately it starts off rather slow, and somewhat puzzling (or perhaps I am the slow one in that I don't get the whole picture right away).It seems almost all the characters are experiencing rather unususal psychological problems.Just when you begin to wonder what Koontz is up to, the plot gets real interesting. If you liked the character Hannibal Lecter created by Thomas Harris ( by liked I mean he fascinated you) then you will be intrigued with Doctor Mark Ahriman. This is a good quick read; the plot moves quickly once you get through the first few chapters and the characters are well rounded enough for enjoyment. Try it you'll like it.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A real shocker
Review: I'm really a big Koontz fan because of his ability create characters that are very real despite that fact that they find themselves in such unreal situations. False Memory is a compelling read and a big winner although at times Koontz gets paranoid with his descriptions. Mr. Koontz is undoubtbly one of the masters of the genre, and he can write, throw you into that world which narrows the bridge between fiction and reality.

Also read Watchers and Silent Whispers

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A Guilty Pleasure
Review: First of all, shame on all those customers who feel it necessary to give away certain plot mechanisms (LIKE THE VILLAIN, FOR GOSH SAKE!); this is one thing that really irritates me about reviewers who have no regard for the people who haven't read the book, and spoil the surprise for them. Anyway, back to FALSE MEMORY. Dean Koontz is undoubtedly a prolific and smart writer. He doesn't pretend to be a great writer; he is successful because he is an ENTERTAINING writer, and "False Memory" with all of its implausibilities, loop holes, and seemingly endless scenes, is still a darn good read. The characters of Dusty, Martie, Skeet and Fig Newton are very likeable and readers should empathize with the horrible plight they have been placed. Also, the character of Susan Jagger is a remarkably sympathetic character, in a very small but important supporting role. The story opens with Martie taking her agoraphobic friend Susan to the remarkable Dr. Mark Ahlstrim. Next thing you know Martie confronts her own phobia: autophobia, fear of oneself. Now that's one to knock your socks off. Granted, the scenes in which Martie rushes through the house to get rid of any potential weapon are a little too long and overwrought, they establish the depth of her paranoia. Koontz reveals the villain early in the book, and even though you know what's going on, you don't have all the gory details until a showdown late in the book with Dusty's parents. And the villain of this piece (I WON'T TELL!) is one of the vilest Mr. Koontz has presented us with. And you know what's nice--Koontz doesn't try to make us feel sorry for the guy because of his pathetic childhood existence. Nor does Koontz leave us hanging with any loose ends in this one. That is certainly refreshing after having just finished Stephen Dobyns' "Boy in the Water" and Peter Straub's "Mr. X". Mr. Koontz has learned through his years of successful writing that ultimately you have to please your audience; scare them, puzzle them, but don't leave them hanging in the air with presposterous literary shenanigans. Congratulations, Dean, on "False Memory." It's one of your best works!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: False Memory
Review: I found this book to be highly entertaining. Dean Koontz creates such interesting characters and I think that is what makes me enjoy his books so much. Sieze the Night and Fear Nothing were my favorite, but I thought this book was just as good.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Generally... "Alright"
Review: I'd read the paperback of this book and it took me far longer than I'd expected - more than 2 weeks and I blame it on the tiny print which made me sleepy easily.

This is the 2nd Koontz book that I have sunk my eyes into and just like the 1st (Door to December), I find that he's unable to hold the air of mystery for long. The plot is simple and the story tends to drag and thus, slow moving.

Koontz does pay a lot of attention to details and gives us a lot of insight to the characters, building them in every aspect, which I appreciate. It is, however, rather testing to read the same styles over and over again.

With False Memory, I'd expected a tale of terror and horror beyond imagination but that never came. Supporters would defend that the ailment, autophobia itself, or the terror of a home-torn apart or a psychologist with ill-intentions on his patients' minds are what entails the 'terror'. If you want something to spook you, you'd be disappointed.

On the whole, this is not a "keep you on the edge" nor "unable to put down" kind of book. The story lends us a whole new look into uses and abuses in psychology and once again, like many other tales, reminds us how important our loved ones are to us, whether we're in need or not.

The bond between Dusty and Martie would make one think "where do I find someone like that?" and "I hope I won't turn out like her" with Dusty's mum, Claudette, and finally "I wish my pet is as smart as that" with Valet, the couple's 'child'.

All in all, a moderately interesting read.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: just ludicrous
Review: I've been a fan of Koontz, and sadly I have noticed a downward spiral in the originality, and credibility of his latest novels. His latest novel: False memories, is the worst of his novels I have read. There is little in it which is believable or original. His villain is so outlandish, and the things he does(brainwashing) are so ludicrous that one can't help laugh at him rather than be shocked. The plot is very outlandish and repeats several aspects of his former novels, such as: Strangers. The novel is full of repetitions and is verbiose and boring where he describes how Martie goes through the house getting rid of anything which could be used to harm people. This doesn't mean that, False Memories doesn't have any redeaming aspects to it. The characters of Dusty and Martie are likable and somewhat credible; also there is some measure of suspense in wanting to find out how the duel between good(Martie and Dusty) and evil(Ahriman) will end. After forcing myself to finish reading it, I couldn't help feeling sad that Koontz has run out on creativity and has to repeat himself and use outlandish plots to keep on producing new novels.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A MASTER STORYTELLER
Review: Sociologically speaking, Dean Koontz writes many basic truths about society, and a journey into the mind can be read about in False Memory. I think that Dean Koontz's works are extraordinary and will be the classics of tomorrow.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dean has done it again!
Review: I'm really a big Koontz fan. I have enjoyed 99% of his books and this one is no exception. Koontz, like Stephen King has a knack for creating characters that are very real despite that fact that they find themselves in such unreal situations. The hero and heroinne are so lovable that you just want to hug them. The villan of this piece is so vile that he makes Hannibal Lector look like a Boy Scout in a Disney flick. I found myself wanting to jump into the book and give him a dose of his own medicine. My only problem was the ending. ... I also had a problem with the way everything fell into place and was tied up in a neat little bow at the very end. In my humble oppinion, that gives this gripping story a tv sitcom like resolution. Yet, despite it's flaws, False Memory is a compelling read. It's not Intensity, but it's great fun.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Get Ready to Skip Passages
Review: Mr. Koontz is undoubtably one of the masters of the genre, and he can write, throw you into that mystical thing called a fictional dream. At his best, your palms sweat, your heart races, generally gets your adrenaline pumping. That's the key to his success, when the reader can't wait to turn the page. With False Memory, his enormous clout must have overruled the editor's careful red pen. At least half the book should have been edited out.

Readers don't mind the metaphor or simile or two in novels, but with False Memory, someone can get a full time job counting all the "as if" and "as though" in the narrative. Characters should be introspective and in inner coflict, sure; but this book frequently stops the action cold, drying out the palm sweat, slowing down the heart beat, generally getting the adrenaline waning.

If you can skip through some of the verbose passages, this is a great read, full of great characters, incredible dialog and story line. I would have given it five stars if the novel was shorter and tighter. Mr. Koontz is still a master, no doubt. As a fan, I would like the plot and characterization, without the deviations that are not critical to the story.


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