Koko by Peter Straub is a dark and convoluted novel that delves into the lives of five main characters shaped by their experiences in Vietnam. The plot revolves around a group of American Vietnam War veterans searching for a former comrade they suspect of committing a series of murders. The writing style is described as skillful, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader engaged till the end.

Characters:

The characters are complex and layered, marked by their experiences in Vietnam, fostering deep interpersonal relationships and struggles.

Writing/Prose:

The author's writing is characterized by fluidity and poetic elements, with a focus on psychological depth and character introspection.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative follows Vietnam War veterans as they investigate a series of gruesome murders connected to their past, emphasizing character development and the impact of war.

Setting:

The setting spans multiple locations, blending familiar urban landscapes with the psychological backdrop of Vietnam.

Pacing:

While initially slow, the pacing builds momentum toward the end, rewarding patient readers with intricate character developments and plot twists.

At three o'clock in the afternoon of a grey, blowing mid- November day, a baby doctor named Michael Poole looked down through the windows of his second-floor room into the parking lot of the Sheraton ...

Notes:

Koko is both character and plot driven, focusing heavily on character development.

The novel is considered a literary thriller with substantial layers of complexity.

Koko was written by Peter Straub in 1988 and spans around 600 pages.

It features four Vietnam War veterans as the main characters, seeking a suspected killer from their past.

The killer is associated with ritualistic murders, leaving a playing card with 'Koko' in victims' mouths.

Harry Beevers, a lieutenant in the story, is known as the worst lieutenant and has led his men into ambushes.

The novel explores the psychological impact of Vietnam War experiences on its characters.

Readers mention that Straub's writing style includes rambling thoughts that often contain vital clues.

Koko is the first book in the Blue Rose Trilogy and is noted for its lack of supernatural elements despite being labeled as horror.

The story takes place across different locations, including Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, and the U.S.

Several reviews highlight a complex narrative structure, often catching readers off guard with twists.

The themes of PTSD from combat trauma are prevalent and deeply explored through the characters' actions and relationships.

The book is described as a blend of mystery and thriller rather than traditional horror, leading to mixed expectations among readers.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Koko includes themes of violence, murder, PTSD, and psychological trauma related to war, which may be distressing for some readers.

From The Publisher:

Bestselling author Peter Straub's Koko is a gripping psychological thriller in which horror and paranoia are indistinguishable from reality.Koko. Only four men knew what it meant. Now they must stop it. They were Vietnam vets-a doctor, a lawyer, a working stiff, and a writer. Very different from each other, they are nonetheless linked by a shared history and a single shattering secret. Now, they have been reunited and are about to embark on a quest that will take from Washington, D.C., to the graveyards and fleshpots of the Far East to the human jungle of New York, hunting someone from the past who has risen from the darkness to kill and kill and kill.

Ratings (7)

Loved It (4)
Liked It (2)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (12):

Read It (7)
Want To Read (3)
Not Interested (2)

1 comment(s)

vevane279

Did Not Like

10 months

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About the Author:

Peter Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of more than a dozen novels. In the Night Room and lost boy, lost girl were winners of the Bram Stoker Award, as was his collection 5 Stories. Straub is the editor of numerous anthologies, including the two-volume American…

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Koko

Peter Straub

Book 1 in the series:Blue Rose