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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Very Good and Highly Entertaining!, 9 Dec 2005
Well this is my second outing with the novels of Mr. Koontz. To be precise, my second and a half if you count The Face, which I failed to finish (hence the half),then Odd Thomas (brilliant read though unfortunately I failed to write a review tho I'd have given that 5 stars for sure), and now Life Expectancy. I was unsure at first how to categorise this story, certainly not a chiller, not a horror possibly dark humour? My library has the book shelved as an 'adventure' and I'd guess they're not far out there really as the characters in this book certainly have some amazing adventures. As you'll know by now the story is based upon Jimmy Tock, a Baker and five key dates throughout his life. These all involve elements of horror and violence (surprise surprise!) as prophesised by his dying grandfather only moments before Jimmy is born and his granfather dies...almost simultaneously in the same hospital .The adventure and horror starts in those first few minutes of this tale. All of the five dates are very cleverly interlinked from the first and as the book progresses there are a good few twists and turns that will take you by surprise. As I have already mentioned, the book is filled with good humour. One thing that really kept me smiling was the constant reference throughout to sumptous cakes and pastries and savouries. I can honestly picture Mr.Koontz penning this novel over a series of Saturday afternoons whilst cooking in the kitchen with his good Lady Wife! As for rating, I've given it a full five. When I first started out I'd expected to go about 3 to 4. I normally reserve 5 stars to absolute page turners. As the book progressed the pages were turning quicker and quicker therefore I believe it is well deserving. If you want to have a nice easy going happy read togther with some scarey then this should be right up your street!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing Collage of Life, Love and Hope, 31 Jan 2006
This novel is unusual in its focus and approach, quite a departure from the previous novels I read by the author [The Taking, The Watchers]. It begins with two haunting themes simultaneously presented: birth and death ... both are so creatively intertwined that to provide too much detail would possibly ruin the pleasure of the reading experience. The impact, scope and magnitude of this book is enormous. It leaves the reader anticipating and wanting more ... Essentially, the main character, Jimmy Tock was born in the hospital at exactly the same time that another mother was undergoing labor but sadly, complications occured and the other mother died in childbirth. Both fathers were pacing in the waiting room ... anxious to learn the outcome for their hopes and dreams to start a family. One father went beserk after learning of the death of his wife ... he went on a murderous rampage in the obstetrics ward. He was literally a clown in the circus and his wife had been an aerialist, the daughter of one of the most famous trapeze artists. During these fateful events, the grandfather of Jimmy Tock was dying. Shortly before his demise, he unexpectedly recovered concsiousness ... just long enough to make five predictions about Jimmy's future, complete with dates and forewarnings. These haunting predictions become the cliff-hanger that keeps the reader flipping page after page as fast as possible ... wanting to know what happens next. The artistic merits of this book surpass expectations ... The book exaggerates emotions and events in what seems like a schizophrenic and surrealistic manner ... but this is exactly what captures the reader's attention. It keeps one glued on the spot, reading every page, feverishly desiring to know the nature of future developments. The grand finale, in the last two chapters, brings together mind-blowing secret events from the fateful day when two babies were born ... whose lives were inextricably tied together. It is amazing how all the predictions of Jimmy's grandfather transpired, leaving the reader quite dizzy and breathless but totally satisfied. The ultimate message is clear: hope and love can overcome the most bizarre and twisted threats that life can offer. This was proven in the lives of Jimmy Tock and his wife, Lorrie. After finishing this book, the question begs to be answered, can Dean Koontz top this one? One thing is certain ... I will *definitely* read the next book to find out! Erika Borsos (erikab93)
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Koontz at his best!, 29 Mar 2005
If you are a huge Koontz fan, just like me, then you'll agree that this book is probably his best yet. For me, he just seems to get better! I didn't think Koontz could surpass Odd Thomas, but as hard as it is for me to say, Life Expectancy certainly did, as well as achieving so much more. Overall - a fantastic read.
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