Innocence (Dean Koontz) Conclusion

As usually happens in Mr. Koontz’s novels, the little mysteries that have perplexed us right up to the end are cleared up and we are shown why things happened as they did.  Well – mostly.  The Clears and especially the Fogs are left largely unexplained as to their origin or purpose.  And we aren’t really given any explanation of what animated the marionettes and why.  Much of the supernaturalism is left as simply that, with no coherent explanation.  But the nature of Addison’s appearance is revealed, more or less satisfactorily, the role of dogs in Addison’s life is nicely described, the odd connections and coincidences between he and Gwyneth are satisfactorily explained.

Over the years, Koontz’s novels have contained more and more references to his political philosophy, and lately, more references to his religious beliefs, as well.  This book actually ends on a decidedly religious note, with very biblical (Christian biblical, to be precise) overtones.  Once again, mankind has been all but wiped out, as in the biblical story of Noah, only this time, a man-made plague is the culprit instead of a flood.  Now, “The forest deep and primal harbors nothing that kills, and in it now grow … new trees and vines [that] produce scores of fruits…”  No mention of that “special” tree that Addison and Eve…I mean Gwyneth…are not allowed to eat upon pain of eternal damnation.  Gwinnie, put down the Kiwi fruit and no one gets cursed!  “Former predators basked in the early sun beside former prey … wrestled playfully or chased one another without fear or menace…”  Addison must feel cheated that he didn’t get to name them…

Earlier, Father Hanlon had explained Addison’s “condition” to him; ‘”You were born with a difference perhaps because the world was moving toward a time when such as you would be needed.”  “What difference?” I asked, breathless in expectation of the answer … In this mysterious world, I was the central mystery of my life.  “Though born of man and woman, you aren’t an heir to Adam or to Eve … By some grace beyond my understanding, beyond anyone’s, you don’t carry the stain of original sin.”  So, again, our author lets himself off the hook here by having a clergyman character make these statements, like he does with the political beliefs mouthed by other characters.  All that’s missing is the fine print saying that the views expressed by the characters in this story are not necessarily those of the author, publisher, or vendor.  Am I being too facetious here?  Yes, but I think I’m justified in poking fun at my favorite author when he takes too many liberties with his poetic license.  Entertain me, Dean; if I wanted preaching, I’d get up earlier on Sunday morning!

And, while I’m ranting, there’s something else amusing that I’ve noticed Mr. Koontz doing here and in previous novels:  mentioning that a particular character resembles a famous actor or actress, as if dropping a hint as to who should be cast in the role when the movie is made!  In this case, the second “Father” resembling Denzel Washington, is just a little too blatant.  Save it for the director, Dean!

I did like the ironic twist of having our hero finally come face to face with the Bad Guy, only to find the Bad Guy in the throes of dying a painful death from the plague.  That kind of paradigm shift suits my sense of irony to a tee.  And the moment when Gwyneth pulls up Addison’s hood to finally get a good look at him is poignantly told – we find out just how much we have connected with these two wonderful characters.  A truly beautiful moment, one of very many nicely executed scenes in this story which serve to make it a watermark in the later phase of a stellar career in suspense writing.  A Publishers Weekly blurb states, “This is the most satisfying Koontz standalone in a while.”  I have to agree.







 

Join us next month for May’s book of the month: “Memory in Death,” by J. D. Robb!

J.D. Robb is the pseudonym for Nora Roberts, a number one New York Times bestselling author of more than 190 novels, including the futuristic suspense “In Death” series. There are more than 400 million copies of her books in print.

Excerpt: Death was not taking a holiday. New York may have been decked out in its glitter and glamour, madly festooned in December of 2059, but Santa Claus was dead. And a couple of his elves weren’t looking so good. Lieutenant Eve Dallas stood on the sidewalk with the insanity of Times Square screaming around her and studied what was left of St. Nick. A couple of kids, still young enough to believe that a fat guy in a red suit would wiggle down the chimney to bring them presents instead of murdering them in their sleep, were shrieking at a decibel designed to puncture eardrums. She wondered why whoever was in charge of them didn’t haul them away. 

Not her job, she thought. Thank God. She preferred the bloody mess at her feet.


[Interesting departure for an author known chiefly as a Romance writer!]


We'll start Week 1 on May 9th;

Week 1:  Chapters 1-6
Week 2:  Chapters 7-11
Week 3:  Chapters 12-16
Week 4:  Chapters 17-21