One Door Away from Heaven

Amazon.com

Dean Koontz virtually invented the cross-genre novel, and in One Door Away from Heaven he mixes an action thriller with post-X-Files alien paranoia to remarkable effect. Micky Bellsong is a young woman at a crisis point in her life, using a stay at her Aunt Geneva's to sort things out. Then the precocious and deformed Leilani Klonk walks into her life, telling stories of her stepfather and drugged-up mother, who believe aliens will beam the girl into their mothership and heal her deformities before her 10th birthday. But tales of the stepfather's vicious past, including his hand in several murders, leave Micky believing that a far more terrible fate awaits her friend. So when the parents take off with Leilani, Micky pursues.

As is typical with a Koontz novel, nothing turns out to be what it seems, and the meticulously crafted plot tightens like a noose with every turn of the page. His characters are exceptionally drawn, driving the novel forward with realism and warmth. Micky is one of his more attractive young heroines, but the real star is Leilani, a mature young girl whose plucky nature and sparkling dialogue instantly make her Koontz's most memorable creation. She embodies his belief that despite violence, pain, and suffering, there is always goodness to be found in every person and situation. Koontz has once again proven why he is one of the premier novelists of his generation. --Jonathan Weir, Amazon.co.uk

Book Description

Hailed as “America’s most popular suspense novelist” (Rolling Stone) Dean Koontz has entered a rich new phase of his writing career that is yielding his most imaginative, meaningful, and popular work yet.

At the height of his powers as a literary craftsman, he has won the acclaim of critics as well as the allegiance of millions of fans the world over, transforming the greatest fears and hopes of our time into masterworks of dazzling originality and emotional resonance.

Now, with the stunning depth and virtuosity of his storytelling, he brings to readers one of his most gripping and richly imagined novels to date—an intoxicating story of adventure and suspense, mystery and revelation, told with humor, heart, and high art.

One Door Away From Heaven

In a dusty trailer park on the far edge of the California dream, Michelina Bellsong contemplates the choices she has made. At twenty-eight, she wants to change the direction of her troubled life but can’t find her way—until a new family settles into the rental trailer next door and she meets the young girl who will lead her on a remarkable quest that will change Micky herself and everything she knows—or thinks she knows—forever.

Despite the brace she must wear on her deformed left leg, and her withered left hand, nine-year-old Leilani Klonk radiates a buoyant and indomitable spirit that inspires Micky. Beneath Leilani’s effervescence, however, Micky comes to sense a quiet desperation that the girl dares not express.

Leilani’s mother is little more than a child herself. And the girl’s stepfather, Preston Maddoc, is educated but threatening. He has moved the family from place to place as he fanatically investigates UFO sightings, striving to make contact, claiming to have had a vision that by Leilani’s tenth birthday aliens will either heal her or take her away to a better life on their world.

Slowly, ever more troubling details emerge in Leilani’s conversations with Micky. Most chilling is Micky’s discovery that Leilani had an older brother, also disabled, who vanished after Maddoc took him into the woods one night and is now “gone to the stars.”

Leilani’s tenth birthday is approaching. Micky is convinced the girl will be dead by that day. While the child-protection bureaucracy gives Micky the runaround, the Maddoc family slips away into the night. Micky sets out across America to track and find them, alone and afraid but for the first time living for something bigger than herself.

She finds herself pitted against an adversary, Preston Maddoc, as fearsome as he is cunning. The passion and disregard for danger with which Micky pursues her quest bring to her side a burned-out detective who joins her on a journey of incredible peril and startling discoveries, a journey through terrible darkness to unexpected light.

One Door Away From Heaven is an incandescent mix of suspense and humor, fear and wonder, a story of redemption and timeless wisdom that will have readers cheering. Filled with tragedy and joy, with terror and hope, it solidifies Dean Koontz’s reputation as one of the foremost storytellers of our time. This is Dean Koontz at his very best—and it doesn’t get any better than that.

Customer Reviews:

feel-good funny thriller.......2007-07-31

I've just finished this yesterday and I can agree on some of the points made by disappointed reviewers - but if they like Koontz's writing on the whole I recommend they try this book again in a year or so. I say this because five years ago I would not have paid a dime for anything that wasn't totally scary. I did get into it and enjoyed it (already passed it on to my husband and promised to two friends after that) maybe because I'm having a hard time finding a writer with a original story line any more. That said: Curtis is a hilarious, if transparent, mystery that you know will win but live on the edge reading his story. Leilani is all the goodness we wish we could find in ourselves. Yeah, she talks too smart but how else would the story get across? Micky is like watching the smart but dumb girl in a sitcom, likeable even if you don't like her. And Aunti Jen is a pistol - wish I had one like her!

Who would've thought? .......2007-07-31

Usually when you pick up a Dean Koontz, you fasten your seatbelt, and hang on for the ride that you love so much! He really packed a lot into almost 700 pages. Who would've thought, that for some this would be so significant? I never would've thought that it would strike a nerve, but it did. After actually bringing myself to care about the characters, Koontz had me hooked once again.

What would a crippled little girl, like Leilani Klonk, have in common with the girl next door, Micky Bellsong? Micky lives with her Aunt Gen, and is simply trying to find a job. Leilani lives with her mom, Old Sinsemilla, who is constantly high. Leilani also lives with a leg brace, because she is indeed deformed. But all three are broken lives, with shattered hopes and dreams, in some way or another. In another part of this country, you'll find a boy who goes by the name of Curtis Hammond. He has nothing in this life, except a dog, who will prove a faithful companion. Then you have an ex-detective, Noah. He just wants to be left alone, or so he thinks. OH YEAH! You also have a man named Preston Maddoc, Leilani's (so called) step-father. Leilani refers to him as Dr. Doom! He's a sick, twisted individual. Is Leilani's life in danger? Chances are, yes. And through the tales of adventure that Koontz will weave, Micky is on a mission.

In this day and age, who would figure that Koontz might have such an impact? I didn't. But upon reading these precious pages, I saw what he was hitting on. Folks who fought for the life of Terri Schiavo will know instantly. And Terri Schiavo wasn't even an issue in our media when this was first published! That's pretty scary. And it had a lot more meaning for me this time than just a good story. Koontz hit the nail on the head with this. The title is more than appropriate. Like it or not, this is the world we live in. Koontz just happened to have a clue this time. Or he just knew all too well and we didn't get it! Hey, like it or lump it, it happens to be stuff like this that brings me back to Dean Koontz. He has something to say. We just need to pay attention. Pay a little closer attention with this one. This isn't our Creation we're messing with. And the God who made it, loved us enough to bring us here in the first place. And He's loved us, no matter how screwed up we are, or will be from here on out. Now take a deep breath before you start this, and then you may crack that opening page. Well done, Dean Koontz!

Excellent, enthralling work - classic Koontz! - but a little repetitive.......2007-05-26

This is one of Koontz's better works. My wife and I listened to the audio version on our cross-country trek from Michigan to Las Vegas, and we were rapt by the intriguing storyline and life-like characters. The lead characters are female - a twenty-something drifter with a good heart, and a disabled little girl with intelligence beyond her years. The little girl, in particular, is memorable. On the downside, several of Koontz's crutches come into play: The little girl's stepfather is a vilified academic; a sadistic atheist (as all atheists in Koontz's books are). The girl and her mother are remarkably similar to a young Chyna Shepard and her drugged-out mom from Intensity. Koontz's novels are almost always enjoyable, but the repetition of characters, themes, and worst of all, stereotypes, is annoying and detrimental to their quality. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to anyone interested in some entertaining light reading.

What will you find behind the door that is one door away from Heaven?.......2007-04-21

Ok, I'm going to be blunt. I honestly don't see what some of you guys' problems are. In all honesty this is probably my most favorite of Koontz's novels, and I've been reading his works now for about fourteen years, ever since I was thirteen. Sure it features yet anoter dog in a major role, but I've always liked that. I like the slightly different form it takes here. But let's get on to the story.
Michelina Bellsong is a twenty-eight-year-old woman who's come to stay with her aging aunt until she can sort out her life. But when a purky nine-year-old girl and her parents move into the trailer next to Mickey's aunt's, Mickey's life takes an unexpected turn. Leilani Clonk has a deformed hand and leg, but her spirit more than compensates. She is possessed of an often sarcastic brand of humor and an aversion to holding in what's on her mind. When she visits Mickey and her aunt for dinnner, she spins what they initially believe to be a tall tale about her serial murderer stepfather and drug-addicted mother who has chosen to name herself after a particularly potent type of Marijuana. But after observing Leilani's mother firsthand, Mickey grows concerned, particularly after hearing the story of Leilani's vanished brother, whom she believes to be buried in a lonely grave somewhere in Montana.
Meanwhile, far away from all these events, a boy flees for his life following the brutal murder of his mother. Forced by circumstance into acts of thievery, he fights desperately to survive. But this is no ordinary boy. He possesses astonishing abilities, including the ability to communicate with animals. Shortly after his escape from his mother's killers, the boy acquires a canine companion, the former pet of a brutally murdered Colorado family.
Mickey, meanwhile, embarks on a mission to find out as much as she can about Lelani's supposed serial killer stepfather. The information she discovers via computers in the local library is more alarming than even Leilani's tale had at first made it seem, and Mickey begins to realize how little time is left to the girl, particularly when she and her parents suddenly vacate the trailer and hit the road in a souped-up motor home with a Hawaiian motif.
In desperation, Mickey and her aunt enlist the aid of a burned-out former police officer and private investigator known to have a particular weakness for cases involving endangered children. Though initially reluctant to become involved in what he recognizes as a dangerous situation, both legally and physically, the detective nevertheless can't ignore the thought of a child in danger, and he hits the road in a desperate race to find Mickey before she can put herself in danger.
Meanwhile, the motherless boy finds himself rescued from a potentially dangerous situation by a pair of charming, seductive twin sisters complete with their own stylish motor home, a fascination with Extraterestrials, and, as the boy soon discovers, the ability and determination to defend themselves and their friends from any foe.
As is usually the case in Koontz's novels, all these diverse characters eventually come together, and this book is no exception. The story culminates in a violent confrontation with a villain whose evil is of amuch more disturbing nature than the average psycho. I was particularly surprised when the true nature of the motherless boy was made clear. Again, this is perhaps my most favorite of Koontz's books. It took a second read to remind me just why that was.

Charming story.......2007-02-08

But hair-raising at the same time. It's quite simple, really. If you loved E.T. you will love this book. I loved E.T. I still do. And I loved this book.

I have to sit and shake my head in wonder when I see a reviewer use the phrases "patently ridiculous" and "unbelievably disfunctional" when describing events or characters in a work of fiction. This just shows me that the person has an imagination dysfunction. Then there's the idiot who rails at Mr Koontz for being too religious and of course tying him to the right wing immediately. Seriously, people.

This book contains perhaps the most complete characters Dean Koontz has ever created, with Curtis being the most interesting. His meeting with the waitress in the diner has stuck in my mind. And the story of Leilani will curl your hair. Readers who find her story incredible do not live in the real world.

The only Dean Koontz book I've read which I enjoyed more than this one was "The Taking," but this one is almost just as good. Don't be afraid to buy it.

Don't stop what you're doing, Mr Koontz. Nobody out there is saying what you're saying and in such a manner as to make it entertaining as well. You've come a long way from "Whispers." And keep the dogs!!

Average customer rating:

One Door Away From Heaven (Dean Koontz)
Dean Koontz
Manufacturer: RH Audio
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio CD

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Psychological & Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

Suspense | Thrillers | Mystery & Thrillers | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0739341499
Release Date: 2007-12-11

Average customer rating:

Has problems but intriguing nonetheless
It's a Bumpy Journey
Please, please make it stop
A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO...

One Door Away from Heaven
Dean Koontz
Manufacturer: Headline Book Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Action & Adventure | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

ASIN: 0747266816

Customer Reviews:

Has problems but intriguing nonetheless.......2006-06-29

Ok, has serious problems with dragging in the first several chapters. I actually put down this book and came back to it later. What stuck me though was even though i had to come back to this book a second time i remembered the Character's perfectly, and that is the reason why you will fall in love with this book, you can relate and be fasinated at the same time with all of the characters in this book. Inspiring?? Of course, Frightening?? Yes but only in Koontz's sad potrayal of a man who is obviously completely lost himself in the grace of this world and what that can really mean. So parts did drag, but the characters are fabulous the mystery is intriguing and the horror is horrific, this all adds up to a book well worth the time it takes to read.

It's a Bumpy Journey.......2006-04-06

Dean Koontz has been on a roll for some time now. He went through a period when I was becoming increasingly restive with his novels, but with the last several that has changed. "False Memory," after having a slow beginning, took off and grabbed my attention to the end. "One Doorway Away from Heaven" took off fast and pulled me along from beginning to end.

Koontz has become the master of incorporating Dickensian style into a thriller. In this book we have no less than three separate stories plus sub-stories that Koontz eventually meshes into one. The story begins with Micky Bellsong, a woman who begins the story with no job and very little past. We quickly meet Leilani Klonk, an extremely intelligent and very pretty nine and a half year old child with physical deformities. Leilani tells stories so outrageous that any adult would be unable to believe them.

Just as quickly Koontz introduces us to a private detective, and we learn that he has a mentally handicapped brother. The brother is not critical to the story, but is used with a couple of early incidents to enhance our understanding that the detective has a very well defined and strong morality.

Next we meet a boy running from a murderer or murderers unknown. We know very little about the boy or why anyone would want to murder him, and how those persons are tracking him through deserts and mountains and a good portion of the west for a large portion of the book.

Dean performs a literary trick used effectively by Tom Clancy in his books. Dean creates substantial activity around the boy to hold your interest while developing the characters of Leilani and Micky. The details that are revealed to the reader by Leilani as the book progresses contributes to a sense of unease that also imparts urgency because of the often dramatic action scenes involving the boy, Curtis Hammond, that intersperse the chapters about Leilani and Micky and the detective.

Ultimately Koontz ties all the stories neatly together for a climax that should hold your attention and a rather satisfying ending.

A few small provisos:

Bioethics is a central theme of this story, and Koontz makes it very clear that he is against bioethics, at least in its extreme form.

Koontz is a dog lover, and if you do not like dogs, particularly golden retrievers, then you may as well not bother to read this story, because golden retrievers are instrumental to the story. Koontz gets to do this because he is the story teller, and he likes golden retrievers.

There are a few small semi-implausibilities. Curtis is chased all over the west by assassins and the government and then suddenly they stop chasing him. While the book provides logic for the lack of pursuit, Koontz could have handled the ending differently. True, the book would have been longer, but the pursuit stopped so suddenly that you feel like Koontz swept pursuit under the rug. Koontz's characterizations of certain government individuals seems a bit off to me. In my state a low-level government official would love to go after a "famous" person if they thought they could; nothing like fame to make you a target. There are perhaps other places where Dean was a bit weak, but in general I'm pointing out minor lapses versus serious problems.

If you live in a trailer park and you believe aliens may abduct you, or your wife, or sister, or whatever, or if you believe Elvis lives with aliens, then do not read this book because portions of the book heavily satirizes people who fall into these categories.

Probably the part of the book that will upset the most people is the ending. I personally liked the ending up to a point, and then it got a bit cutesy. Did the cutesy portion make the book bad? No. However, the cutesy portion felt a bit juvenile and a bit out of place.

I give the book four stars because I enjoyed it, and I always have soft touch for happy endings. Furthermore, I appreciated the science fiction influences. Some portions of the book perhaps could have been smoother, and certainly this book is not his best. Because of the provisos listed above, I would need to be careful recommending the book without knowing someone's personal tastes and beliefs. However, if you have an open mind, and you enjoy reading something different, you might give this one a read. Good luck!

Please, please make it stop.......2006-03-03

This is my first Dean Koontz book, and I don't think I'll bother with any more. I'm currently half way through "One door away from Boredom" and I'm only continuing to read it because I can't believe it can be this bad all the way through.

Koontz's ability to write multiple thousands of words, with dull, meandering descriptions and totally inaccurate depictions of the thought precesses of young children is, in my experience, completely unrivalled by anyone. One particular chapter of this misterpiece is around 10 pages long, probably takes around 10 minutes to read and can basically be summarized as "Boy and dog eat food and take a nap."

It is as though time stands still as you turn the pages of "One Door away from Heaven", for no matter how much you read it, you seem to get no nearer the end of the book, and the story seems to progress nowhere.

If you want a good read, look elsewhere - try something by Harlen Coben, for example. If, however, you're struggling to get to sleep at night, or want to have drug-free surgery - this, my friend, is the book for you.

I'd honestly rather read the dictionary.

Lee

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO..........2005-07-31

I enjoyed this book and wavered on the rating. I had a difficult time deciding whether to rate it a three or a four. I finally decided on three because, while it is an enjoyable read, it is not one of his best. Those who read and enjoyed the author's last book, "From the Corner Of His Eye", as I did, will, undoubtedly, enjoy this one, though it is not as good.

Here, this genre bending book, written with wry humor, has a series of subplots and colorful characters with improbable names that propel the story forward. Twenty-eight year old Michelina Birdsong is a young and beautiful woman with a troubled past. Living in a trailer park with her eccentric aunt, Geneva, she lacks focus and is overly fond of lemon flavored vodka. It is as if she has lost the will to live.

When she gets new neighbors in the mobile home next door, one of whom is the precocious and physically deformed nine year, Leilani Klonk, her heart is touched most unexpectedly by the pathos of her young life. As Leilani is living with a drug crazed mother and step-father, a sociopathic "doctor" who may be a serial killer, Mickey finds herself wanting to make Leilani's life better and in doing so, redeeming her own. When Leilani and her family precipitously abandon their mobile home one night, Michelina, fearing the worst for Leilani, springs into action and finds herself in hot pursuit of this family, hoping to avert a tragedy.

Meanwhile, a young motherless boy, who calls himself Curtis, and his dog, a Labrador with whom he has a most unique relationship, are racing away from their own potential Armageddon. This boy, too, is precocious and quite gifted, but seems to lack a true understanding of the ways and customs of those whom he meets. He is just a beat off. Still, while there is something odd about him, it is clear that, though he seems to have unusual gifts, he has a pure spirit and is a good boy running from a great evil. His pursuers, seemingly invincible and other worldly, will stop at nothing to get a hold of Curtis and keep him from his mission. The journey that Curtis makes is quite astonishing.

At some point the paths of these main characters improbably cross and all is made somewhat, though not totally, clear. The book, which is an imaginative blend of suspense, science fiction, and bioethical philosophy, has somewhat religious or quasi-spiritual overtones, as it boils down to the quintessential battle between good and evil. In this book, Koontz continues on the path he forged with his previous book, "From the Corner of His Eye". To where that path will ultimately lead, however, remains to be seen.

Average customer rating:

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO...

One Door Away From Heaven (Unabridged)

Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette
ASIN: 0736683194

Product Description

Unabridged audiocassette edition of Dean Koontz's One Door Away From Heaven. "When Micky Bellsong discovers a luminous disabled girl named Leilani, she knows that she has found a purpose in her life with her. However, Leilani's stepfather, the belligerent Preston Maddoc, is a UFO cultist who believes that aliens will come down to heal his daughter by her upcoming 10th birthday, or else take her away with them. Micky's concern for Leilani is doubled when she learns that Preston took him on a trip to the aliens to be 'healed.' When the family disappears, Micky sets out after them, aided by a detective who admires her keenness and dedication. Together, they must try to find Leilani, but Maddoc will prove to be a formidable adversary."

Customer Reviews:

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO..........2005-09-14

I enjoyed this book and wavered on the rating. I had a difficult time deciding whether to rate it a three or a four. I finally decided on three because, while it is an enjoyable read, it is not one of his best. Those who read and enjoyed the author's last book, "From the Corner Of His Eye", as I did, will, undoubtedly, enjoy this one, though it is not as good. If it is a great book by this author for which you are looking, then read his latest book, "Velocity". You will not be disappointed.

Here, this genre bending book, written with wry humor, has a series of subplots and colorful characters with improbable names that propel the story forward. Twenty-eight year old Michelina Birdsong is a young and beautiful woman with a troubled past. Living in a trailer park with her eccentric aunt, Geneva, she lacks focus and is overly fond of lemon flavored vodka. It is as if she has lost the will to live.

When she gets new neighbors in the mobile home next door, one of whom is the precocious and physically deformed nine year, Leilani Klonk, her heart is touched most unexpectedly by the pathos of her young life. As Leilani is living with a drug crazed mother and step-father, a sociopathic "doctor" who may be a serial killer, Mickey finds herself wanting to make Leilani's life better and in doing so, redeeming her own. When Leilani and her family precipitously abandon their mobile home one night, Michelina, fearing the worst for Leilani, springs into action and finds herself in hot pursuit of this family, hoping to avert a tragedy.

Meanwhile, a young motherless boy, who calls himself Curtis, and his dog, a Labrador with whom he has a most unique relationship, are racing away from their own potential Armageddon. This boy, too, is precocious and quite gifted, but seems to lack a true understanding of the ways and customs of those whom he meets. He is just a beat off. Still, while there is something odd about him, it is clear that, though he seems to have unusual gifts, he has a pure spirit and is a good boy running from a great evil. His pursuers, seemingly invincible and other worldly, will stop at nothing to get a hold of Curtis and keep him from his mission. The journey that Curtis makes is quite astonishing.

At some point the paths of these main characters improbably cross and all is made somewhat, though not totally, clear. The book, which is an imaginative blend of suspense, science fiction, and bioethical philosophy, has somewhat religious or quasi-spiritual overtones, as it boils down to the quintessential battle between good and evil. In this book, Koontz continues on the path he forged with his previous book, "From the Corner of His Eye". To where that path will ultimately lead, however, remains to be seen.

Average customer rating:

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO...

One Door Away from Heaven

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Similar Items:

ASIN: B000FNEUHQ

Product Description

Unabridged

Customer Reviews:

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO..........2006-05-20

I enjoyed this book and wavered on the rating. I had a difficult time deciding whether to rate it a three or a four. I finally decided on three because, while it is an enjoyable read, it is not one of his best. Those who read and enjoyed the author's previous book, "From the Corner Of His Eye", as I did, will, undoubtedly, enjoy this one, though it is not as good.

Here, this genre bending book, written with wry humor, has a series of subplots and colorful characters with improbable names that propel the story forward. Twenty-eight year old Michelina Birdsong is a young and beautiful woman with a troubled past. Living in a trailer park with her eccentric aunt, Geneva, she lacks focus and is overly fond of lemon flavored vodka. It is as if she has lost the will to live.

When she gets new neighbors in the mobile home next door, one of whom is the precocious and physically deformed nine year, Leilani Klonk, her heart is touched most unexpectedly by the pathos of her young life. As Leilani is living with a drug crazed mother and step-father, a sociopathic "doctor" who may be a serial killer, Mickey finds herself wanting to make Leilani's life better and in doing so, redeeming her own. When Leilani and her family precipitously abandon their mobile home one night, Michelina, fearing the worst for Leilani, springs into action and finds herself in hot pursuit of this family, hoping to avert a tragedy.

Meanwhile, a young motherless boy, who calls himself Curtis, and his dog, a Labrador with whom he has a most unique relationship, are racing away from their own potential Armageddon. This boy, too, is precocious and quite gifted, but seems to lack a true understanding of the ways and customs of those whom he meets. He is just a beat off. Still, while there is something odd about him, it is clear that, though he seems to have unusual gifts, he has a pure spirit and is a good boy running from a great evil. His pursuers, seemingly invincible and other worldly, will stop at nothing to get a hold of Curtis and keep him from his mission. The journey that Curtis makes is quite astonishing.

At some point the paths of these main characters improbably cross and all is made somewhat, though not totally, clear. The book, which is an imaginative blend of suspense, science fiction, and bioethical philosophy, has somewhat religious or quasi-spiritual overtones, as it boils down to the quintessential battle between good and evil. In this book, Koontz continues on the path he forged with his previous book, "From the Corner of His Eye". To where that path will ultimately lead, however, remains to be seen.

5 Titles By Kootz - Tick Tock - Lightning - Cold Fire - Seize the Night - One Door Away From Heaven

Average customer rating:

5 Titles By Kootz - Tick Tock - Lightning - Cold Fire - Seize the Night - One Door Away From Heaven
Dean Koontz
Manufacturer: various
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000QBAAC6

Product Description

Multiple books shipped as one item. Save on Shipping/Handling charges.

Average customer rating:

One Door Away From Heaven
Dean R Koontz
Manufacturer: BANTAM BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000UCPKJO

Average customer rating:

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY...

One Door Away from Heaven

Manufacturer: HEADLINE
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 9999984649

Customer Reviews:

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY..........2004-01-17

I enjoyed this book, but while it is a mildly enjoyable read, it is not one of the author's best. Those who read and enjoyed the author's previous book, "From the Corner Of His Eye", as I did, however, will, undoubtedly, enjoy this one, though it is not as good.

Here, this genre bending book, written with wry humor, has a series of subplots and colorful characters with improbable names that propel the story forward. Twenty-eight year old Michelina Birdsong is a young and beautiful woman with a troubled past. Living in a trailer park with her eccentric aunt, Geneva, she lacks focus and is overly fond of lemon flavored vodka. It is as if she has lost the will to live.

When she gets new neighbors in the mobile home next door, one of whom is the precocious and physically deformed nine year, Leilani Klonk, her heart is touched most unexpectedly by the pathos of her young life. As Leilani is living with a drug crazed mother and step-father, a sociopathic "doctor" who may be a serial killer, Mickey finds herself wanting to make Leilani's life better and, in doing so, redeeming her own. When Leilani and her family precipitously abandon their mobile home one night, Michelina, fearing the worst for Leilani, springs into action and finds herself in hot pursuit of this family, hoping to avert a tragedy.

Meanwhile, a young motherless boy, who calls himself Curtis, and his dog, a Labrador with whom he has a most unique relationship, are racing away from their own potential Armageddon. This boy, too, is precocious and quite gifted but seems to lack a true understanding of the ways and customs of those whom he meets. He is just a beat off. Still, while there is something odd about him, it is clear that, though he seems to have unusual gifts, he has a pure spirit and is a good boy running from a great evil. His pursuers, seemingly invincible and other worldly, will stop at nothing to get a hold of Curtis and keep him from his mission. The journey that Curtis makes is quite astonishing.

At some point the paths of these main characters improbably cross and all is made somewhat, though not totally, clear. The book, which is an imaginative blend of suspense, science fiction, and bioethical philosophy, has somewhat religious or quasi-spiritual overtones, as it boils down to the quintessential battle between good and evil. In this book, Koontz continues on the path he forged with his previous book, "From the Corner Of His Eye". To where that path will ultimately lead, however, remains to be seen.

Average customer rating:

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO...

One Door Away from Heaven

Manufacturer: Bantam
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0641616414

Product Description

Koontz's latest is powered by an impassioned stand against utilitarian bioethics, and it's chock-a-block with trademark characters vulnerable kids, nurturing parental substitutes, a dog of above-average intelligence and a villain of insuperable nastiness sure to provoke a pleasurable conditioned response from his readers.

Customer Reviews:

A MUMBO JUMBO GUMBO..........2005-08-06

Average customer rating:

One Door Away from Heaven
Dean R. Koontz
Manufacturer: Bantam Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O5TY2G

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