Life Expectancy
Published: 2004
Author: Dean Koontz
Genre: Comedy, Fiction, Horror, Humor, Literature, Metaphysical, Occult, Psychological, Supernatural, Suspense, Thriller, Visionary Fiction
Check the summary of this book here:
The Review
Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz is a suspense horror thriller. The plot centers around five major occurrences in the lifetime of James "Jimmy" Tock, a self-proclaimed lummox. There is simply no writer today or in the past who can compete with Dean Koontz in what he does with his genres. His characters are magnificent, his story arcs are flawless, his pacing is perfect, and his dialogue does seem to be absolutely priceless. "Life Expectancy" is another of his greatest.
As is so frequently the case with his writing, the touches of magic in this story are equivalent to years of focused world-building from authors who are just superb writers. Few authors have the confidence, let alone the talent, to create characters that are completely good or completely wicked. Koontz has this talent and employs it to create beauty. To understand what I mean, read From The Corner Of His Eye.
I'm honestly surprised that there hasn't been a film adaptation or discussion of this book anywhere. It means that there has been no attempt to make a film of this amazing work, and if there has been, please let me know because I would love to see it someday.
Despite its ostensibly grim theme, this Koontz novel is light on the supernatural and teasing in tone, because its heroes virtually shine brightly. His heroes, as is so frequently the case, are plain, unadorned creatures of flawless character, characters that excel at the commonplace because it is more wonderful to them than being kings and queens.
The trick to great writing, they say, is to develop fantastic characters and then place them in dreadful situations. After getting to know Jimmy and Lorrie, it's tough to fathom this world without them, so even the most terrible situations don't seem nearly so dire.
Dean Koontz has created another masterpiece! I'm not sure how this man keeps coming up with such fantastic stories, but I'm thankful he does.
This is not an Odd Thomas narrative; rather, it introduces a new character or characters to his universe. And, as much as I adore Odd, this is a new path he has brought me down. I was hooked from the first page; his prose is addictive, and his life philosophy is uplifting. If you read it, you will not be sorry.
I was curious where Koontz would go after Odd's departure. Jimmy Tock isn't his successor, but we do get most of the same rich and hilarious storytelling and fascinating yarns-man-ship. If you enjoy a good story with unexpected twists and turns, you'll enjoy this one. And I'm sure we'll see the Tocks again.
Life Expectancy reassured me of what a smart thinker Koontz is and what a lovely manner he has of expressing his perspective on this amazing life. Dean Koontz has long been a favorite of mine. I adore his writing style: serious, tense, frightening, and always peppered with amusing banter from the cast. This novel is no exception, and I found myself saying, "Didn't see that coming!" multiple times.
When I first began reading him I praised Dean Koontz as "very inventive and intelligent" after reading many of his works. I promoted him to "Genius" after reading Life Expectancy. I think this is the most entertaining and humorous work I've ever read. At every turn, a grin. A "Must Read," and even after finishing his most recent work, I still consider him a genius.
Although the first portion of the book is hilarious, I truly loved it all together. The novel was not what I anticipated from Dean Koontz; it was an unexpected combination of Dobie Gillis and IT, Stephen King's crazy clown.
It blends implausible happenings with vaguely supernatural themes and ties the whole thing together with unexpectedly sharp comedy, unusual but likable central characters, and exotic villainy. I would suggest this book to anybody looking for a little entertainment, a few good chuckles, and the hope that the inherently good will win in the end. One of Koontz's most accomplished pieces.
I've noticed that I'm not the only one who enjoys a good first-person narrative, and this is one of the few Koontz novels written in the first person, which he usually reserves for his most fleshed-out characters.
Life Expectancy is not only an entertaining book, but it also taught me how to utilize humor and a positive attitude to get through the difficult moments in life. I wholeheartedly suggest this book.
I've been really busy for the past few years and haven't been as in touch with movies as I used to be, so I don't know if a movie adaptation of many of my favorite books and authors is out yet, which is why I ask readers of my reviews to let me know if they know of any adoptions that I may have missed to inform on these pages.
Final Thoughts
It wasn't a scary novel, but it was a compelling narrative. If I were to categorize it, I would call it a comedy (in a very good way). I wasn't expecting that, but it turned out to be a really funny book. Many of the jokes reminded me of Dean Koontz's Odd Thomas books.
This book was filled with wisecracks. If you're seeking for a genuine horror novel, you should avoid this one.
Also, if you are afraid of clowns, you should probably avoid this book. The plot revolves around a circus clown and trapeze artists. Isn't that crazy? Right.
If you're looking for a fast, entertaining, nonsensical read, this should fit the bill.
It follows Jimmy Tock from the night he was born till many years later. Jimmy's grandfather was dying on the night he was born, and he awakens from his coma to make grave prophecies about five dates in Jimmy's future.
I adored Jimmy's character and the woman he eventually marries. He is a baker who is working his way up to pastry chef under his father's instruction, who is the pastry chef at a facility located in the Colorado Rockies.
My life is really difficult, and sure, who does not have a difficult life, but I believe I am living in a game that is set on a nightmare while living on a hell level, so every little thing I do requires a large quest and effort to achieve, which is why I adore novels that make me feel wonderful. Most feel-good novels leave me chilly, but Koontz's stories leave me soaring on clouds. This one is no exception. Very, very highly recommended.
Synopsis
“With his bestselling blend of nail-biting intensity, daring artistry, and storytelling magic, Dean Koontz returns with an emotional roller coaster of a tale filled with enough twists, turns, shocks, and surprises for ten ordinary novels. Here is the story of five days in the life of an ordinary man born to an extraordinary legacy—a story that will challenge the way you look at good and evil, life and death, and everything in between.
Jimmy Tock comes into the world on the very night his grandfather leaves it. As a violent storm rages outside the hospital, Rudy Tock spends long hours walking the corridors between the expectant fathers' waiting room and his dying father's bedside. It's a strange vigil made all the stranger when, at the very height of the storm's fury, Josef Tock suddenly sits up in bed and speaks coherently for the first and last time since his stroke.
What he says before he dies is that there will be five dark days in the life of his grandson—five dates whose terrible events Jimmy will have to prepare himself to face. The first is to occur in his twentieth year; the second in his twenty-third year; the third in his twenty-eighth; the fourth in his twenty-ninth; the fifth in his thirtieth.
Rudy is all too ready to discount his father's last words as a dying man's delusional rambling. But then he discovers that Josef also predicted the time of his grandson's birth to the minute, as well as his exact height and weight, and the fact that Jimmy would be born with syndactyly—the unexplained anomaly of fused digits—on his left foot. Suddenly the old man's predictions take on a chilling significance.
What terrifying events await Jimmy on these five dark days? What nightmares will he face? What challenges must he survive? As the novel unfolds, picking up Jimmy's story at each of these crisis points, the path he must follow will defy every expectation. And with each crisis he faces, he will move closer to a fate he could never have imagined. For who Jimmy Tock is and what he must accomplish on the five days when his world turns is a mystery as dangerous as it is wondrous—a struggle against an evil so dark and pervasive, only the most extraordinary of human spirits can shine through.
This eBook edition contains an excerpt of Dean Koontz’s The Silent Corner.”
Useful Search Related Words & Keywords
Ever Read, Highly Recommend, Jimmy Tock, Koontz Books, Page Turner, Prepare To Be Enchanted, Stephen King, Story Line, Terrible Days, Twists And Turns
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
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