Dean Koontz is the man. I read everything he writes. He is THE most life affirming popular author out there. Koontz wrote a great foreword for the new book coming out by one of my favorite bloggers Wesley J. Smith of Secondhand Smoke at First Things. Koontz starts:
When we self-blind ourselves to the Truth of the world’s magnificent complexity and mystery–of which we are a fundamental part –we do not only cut a thin wedge from the roundness of existence and convince ourselves that this one theory or ideology is the whole Truth. In our narcissism, we also insist that those who refuse to wear our blinders are villainous and depraved and corrupt. In this regard, an ideologue is no different from a member of a religious cult who has carved a sliver off the body of Christian theology and has made it his end-all and be-all. But the entire truth of a vast forest is not embodied in a single leaf…
It continues from there. I encourage you to read the rest here.
February 6, 2010 at 2:59 am
I can't put my finger on why, but the Odd Thomas series SHOULD be depressing– I hate depressing stories– but, anyway, they're not depressing. It's often sad, often creepy, and the crystal snow monsters scare me to death… but I love the books.
Joins very few other authors-series combos (Stasheff's Wizard in Rhyme, Butcher's Dresden Files) that I can _just read_ and feel better when I'm done. (Hm. They're all friendly with the Church, and not fake-friendly….)
February 6, 2010 at 5:44 am
For all his best seller popularity, Koontz must still be one of the Church's best kept secrets. To my deep regret, I avoided him for years, assuming he shared the Godless bleakness of many writers in his genres. Not so!
That may be to the good, in one way. His intention clearly, is to get under the radar of a corrupt and wary culture, hook the reader with suspense, and only then start revealing the Truth. He rarely mentions dogmatic teachings or the Church, but his books are redolent with faith. He delights in the transcendent mystery of God and his work, the beautiful gift of being human even in the midst of struggle. He pulls no punches in describing the ultimate self-destructive banality of evil. His good guys suffer, and sometimes die, but they never lose. Koontz's world is a world at war with the spirit of the age and all its modern evils – and he knows, and shows, that we choose our side with every step we take — and that God has already won.
I haven't read everything yet, but I can recommend a few favorites that every Catholic should know. The 'Odd Thomas' books, of course, plus 'From the Corner of His Eye' and 'One Door Away From Heaven'.
February 6, 2010 at 7:27 pm
I've never ready any of his works so could you give me the title of the one book you think is the best to start with that might keep me reading and then read his other books? Thanks!
February 6, 2010 at 7:33 pm
http://oddthomas.deankoontz.com/odd-thomas-book/index.php
February 6, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Sarah – you must, MUST read his "I, Trixie who is dog" Get it at the library…
Or you can go to Trixie's website
http://trixie.deankoontz.com/
February 6, 2010 at 11:05 pm
Oh yeah – I, Trixie is full of good Catholic theology!
February 7, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I didn't know Koontz was Catholic, although I did peruse the wikipedia article on him after reading one of his books (False Memory). I didn't think the book was great, but it was a page-turner and remarkable in that it reflected my own views – now that I know Mr. Koontz is a fellow Catholic, I see why. Neat.