'From the Corner of His Eye' by Dean Koontz is a suspense thriller that weaves the lives of three people together, emphasizing the triumph of good and noble over evil forces. The story follows the paths of Bartholomew Lampion, Junior Cain, and a 16-year-old girl who gives birth to a daughter after being raped by Junior. The characters are well-developed and interconnected, with intricate relationships and mysterious connections that culminate in a final battle between forces of good and evil. The plot involves tragic accidents, murders, births, and the intertwining destinies of the characters, leading to a satisfying and suspenseful end.

Characters:

The characters are well-developed and memorable, representing contrasting personalities of good and evil, and reflecting complex human experiences and emotions.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is descriptive and engaging, seamlessly blending humor with darker themes, while also incorporating philosophical and theological undertones.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative intricately weaves together the lives of several characters, particularly centering around a psychopathic antagonist and the child prodigy that becomes linked to him, exploring themes of good versus evil and redemption.

Setting:

The setting primarily takes place in the 1960s, with various locations that connect the characters, reflecting the societal issues of that era.

Pacing:

The pacing tends to be slow, particularly in the middle, which may lead to a gradual buildup of tension, ultimately quickening towards the end but often feeling rushed in conclusion.

BARTHOLOMEW LAMPION was blinded at the age of three, when surgeons reluctantly removed his eyes to save him from a fast-spreading cancer, but although eyeless, Barty regained his sight when he was thi...

Notes:

From the Corner of His Eye was originally published in 2001 and is a reissue of Dean Koontz's earlier work.

The book is about 729 pages long and combines elements of suspense, thriller, and science fiction.

The main character, Bartholomew, does not speak until page 327, despite being central to the story.

The antagonist, Junior Cain, is portrayed as a particularly gruesome and pathetic psychopathic character.

Koontz explores themes of good versus evil, with Bartholomew being a symbol of hope and Junior representing malevolence.

The story intertwines the lives of Bartholomew, Angel (the daughter of a rape victim), and Junior Cain, creating a complex narrative.

Koontz integrates elements of quantum physics, suggesting a link between parallel universes and the characters' experiences.

Bartholomew, a child prodigy, loses his sight at a young age due to cancer but is later able to regain it in a mysterious manner at thirteen.

Koontz uses humor in the portrayal of the villain, presenting him as deluded about his own attractiveness and intelligence.

The book conveys a strong spiritual and philosophical undertone, often reflecting on the interconnectedness of lives.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include graphic violence, rape, murder, psychopathic behavior, and themes of trauma.

From The Publisher:

His birth was marked by wonder and tragedy.

He sees beauty and terror beyond our deepest dreams.

His story will change the way you see the world.

On the heels of his #1 bestseller False Memory, Dean Koontz brings together his most compelling themes and an unforgettable cast of characters to create what is perhaps the most thrilling and emotionally powerful work of his critically acclaimed career.

Bartholomew Lampion is born on a day of tragedy and terror that will mark his family forever. All agree that his unusual eyes are the most beautiful they have ever seen. On this same day, a thousand miles away, a ruthless man learns that he has a mortal enemy named Bartholomew. He embarks on a relentless search to find this enemy, a search that will consume his life. And a girl is born from a brutal rape, her destiny mysteriously linked to Barty and the man who stalks him.

At the age of three, Barty Lampion is blinded when surgeons remove his eyes to save him from a fast-spreading cancer. As he copes with his blindness and proves to be a prodigy, his mother counsels him that all things happen for a reason and that every person's life has an effect on every other person's, in often unknowable ways.

At thirteen, Bartholomew regains his sight. How he regains it, why he regains it, and what happens as his amazing life unfolds and entwines with others results in a breathtaking journey of courage, heart-stopping suspense, and high adventure.

Ratings (6)

Incredible (1)
Loved It (3)
It Was OK (1)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (9):

Read It (6)
Want To Read (2)
Not Interested (1)

1 comment(s)

ColorfulLeo92

Did Not Like

2 months

I've read some Dean Koontz books that really standed up as great reads. What I usually love about Koontz books is the attachment I get with some characters of his novels and there is so many twist and turns making the book even more exciting. However this one didn't deliver that to me and maybe I had to big of expectations on it. It wasn't terrible but sisnt work with me. So 2.5 stars from me

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About the Author:

Dean Koontz, the author of many #1" New York Times" bestsellers, lives with his wife, Gerda, and the enduring spirit of their golden retriever, Trixie, in southern California.

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From the Corner of His Eye

Dean Koontz