Not Logged in.
Book Jacket

The City


A coming-of-age tale of a jazz prodigy finding his way in 1960s New York City.
More about this book
Author Biography

Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

Created: 05/08/14

Replies: 28

Posted May. 08, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert

Join Date:

Posts: 0

Overall?

Overall, what do you think of The City?


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
deeh

Join Date: 03/03/12

Posts: 239

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City?

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It's lyrical quality moved me very much. I have read some of Koontz's other work (big fan of Odd Thomas!) and this felt like a departure from his usual writing. I found myself rereading passages just to enjoy their beauty, for example, comparing the shadow of leaves on the sidewalk to fish in a stream.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janetr

Join Date: 02/05/14

Posts: 33

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City?

The real world and the fantasy world in The City by Koontz are so skillfully woven together that the reader slips easily from one world to the next seamlessly. The elements in the plot which terrify Jonah become so real, that one is drawn into a state of panic oneself. The mystery, the artful descriptions of the music era which Jonah enjoys, the wonderful and different friendships he forges with various father figures make this a delightful read. Jonah tells the story from a first person narrator which makes us see the world in its beauty, majesty and mystery through his eyes. From the first page, I was hooked. I would add that because Koontz is such a prolific writer, I assumed that he was a junk novelist. This novel is not junk. It is a literary prize.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lisa

Join Date: 06/13/14

Posts: 14

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City?

I just loved The City to pieces! It was so unexpected. I really like the direction that Koontz is taking in his work. In my opinion, this is his most sophisticated and powerful work to date. He told the story from the point of view of Jonah, an inner-city African American child and piano prodigy. It's completely believable! I loved Jonah and all his family and friends. These characters really came alive for me. This was a very enjoyable read for me and really quite powerful.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ylhoff

Join Date: 10/23/12

Posts: 85

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City?

This story was like a Snickers bar: rich, lots of caramel prose, and just a bit nutty. I absolutely loved the first person voice after taking some pages to get used to the slow movement in the beginning. The use of color and sound to identify and help the reader remember the characters was an invitation. The City had a deceptive amount of depth and although I found the child's voice to be somewhat adult, it became less distracting the further in I read. While I am not a fan of Dean Koontz in general, should he choose to follow this path in the future, I am all in.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Lisa

Join Date: 06/13/14

Posts: 14

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City?

That's brilliant, Ylhoff! This is definitely a Snickers bar story :) Great thoughts about color and sound playing such an important role in bringing the characters to life for the reader. This has been my favorite Koontz book to date, by far.


Posted Jul. 14, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sweeney

Join Date: 05/24/11

Posts: 185

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City?

I have read a number of other koontz novels, and there are portions in all of them that have a lyrical quality. This to me was a bit more dream-like, with the character of the city having a big part. It was interesting to read, but a bit predictable.


Posted Jul. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
janeh

Join Date: 06/15/11

Posts: 222

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

Finding this book by Dean Koontz was similar to how I felt when I read Stephen King's THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. These guys aren't just horror genre writers -- these guys are the REAL deal. (Not to put down horror because those stories are my true favorites!) The book caught my attention from the first page. I think Dean Koontz, like Stephen King and Jim Kokoris, has the unique ability to get into the head of a child and write from his point of view. Very powerful and specific talent.


Posted Jul. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I **LOVED** this book. In fact, this is one of those times where I want to go back and change my rating of 5 (for some other BookBrowse books) to a 4 - and maybe even a 3. Koontz's story is special and unique. I have read a couple of books by this author, but it has been many years. I am so happy that I received this advanced copy as I am not sure that I would have selected it in a book store.


Posted Jul. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
christinep

Join Date: 07/16/13

Posts: 45

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I found this to be a brilliant departure to other works by Koontz. I agree with what Lisa said that this feels more sophisticated and powerful, almost like music, which is prevalent throughout the novel. There really should be a soundtrack to the novel. I loved it and hope for more like this from Koontz.


Posted Jul. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jww

Join Date: 05/31/11

Posts: 166

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I started reading Koontz many years ago with his first book. Read many of the subsequent stories until they just got too creepy (even for me ). So, haven't read his work in quite some time. Was hesitant to read this book but the information about it sounded intriguing. I'm very glad I did read it. This was a delightful story, full of wonderful characters, with an interesting plot. I look forward to Mr. Koontz's next book if it is anything like this one.


Posted Jul. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mariannes

Join Date: 12/17/12

Posts: 206

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I really liked the book. I've never read Koontz before because I'm not a fan of horror books. However, the horror part of this book was not overwhelming. I really liked the warm relationships that Jonah had with his family and favorites. I also liked the descriptions.


Posted Jul. 15, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jant's Gravatar
jant

Join Date: 07/15/14

Posts: 28

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I loved this book. Koontz is to be admired. This book is a departure from the classic supernatural Koontz. Instead of supernatural, Koontz instead brings the dark and light magic one finds in their life - if they are looking. This book reminds me of a fable. I think he is truly a wordsmith - I read his books very carefully in fear of missing a nuance. I found this book well-balanced - meaning well-plotted and a good tempo. Not many authors at this point in their careers can be this fresh and original. I will be highly anticipating his next book.


Posted Jul. 16, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
eileenc

Join Date: 08/04/11

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I loved this book. This book is similar to some of my other favorite Dean Koontz books, From The Corner of His Eye, and Life Expectancy. It is a book with a young person with something special about them. They move along learning as they go toward a life-changing event. There is foreshadowing of something tragic overlying their relationships and then forever altered they move along a wiser and somehow magical individual. These books have many thought provoking quotations that fit to many of the problems faced by the reader. I agree that Koontz can be exceptional in his prose.


Posted Jul. 16, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joannev

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 68

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I loved this book! I have read some of Dean Koontz's novels some years ago ("Watchers" was my favorite!), but I am glad I had the opportunity to receive and read this book as I probably would not have done so if I saw it in a bookstore. After reading this book, I think Koontz is very underrated writer! The characters were wonderful and I loved Jonah especially, the writing was terrific and the plot very interesting. I was totally captured from the first and will recommend it to others.


Posted Jul. 16, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
terriej

Join Date: 07/28/11

Posts: 422

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I enjoyed this book. It seemed to have more "meat" than other Koontz books. The plot stayed interesting as the characters developed and melded together.


Posted Jul. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
marciem

Join Date: 07/17/14

Posts: 5

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I really enjoyed the story, the character development, and the rich imagery Koontz creates. I read other posts describing Koontz' genre as 'horror' and "The City" as a dramatic departure from this genre, and I respectfully disagree. I think Koontz always delves into human nature and this novel is no different. I feel Koontz highlights variants in human capability, which in the extreme are mutations, which in the most extreme could be viewed as horror stories, but in the end all of his stories revolve around extraordinarily different human beings. Some are good (Oddie), many not so good or very bad as in a lot of his early work... but all human if only by the thinnest thread.


Posted Jul. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
harriettek

Join Date: 10/19/10

Posts: 38

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I loved it! I hadn't read anything of his for a few years and had forgotten how much I had enjoyed his story telling. I will be reading more of his older offerings now.


Posted Jul. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
tyrad

Join Date: 07/17/14

Posts: 9

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

This book was a delight to read and totally unexpected. I had read a few of Koontz books before and found them entertaining but not enough so that I would seek out another of his reads. This book captured my heart from the beginning. Jonah voice was so real. I am recommending this book to both of my book groups.


Posted Jul. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
nanette s

Join Date: 05/06/12

Posts: 33

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I really enjoyed reading The City and I didn't feel the supernatural element took away from the story at all. It was a very well written storyline and the story moved quickly coming from the point of view of a pre teen musical prodigy. I read Mr. Koontz in the past and plan on reading more of his books in the future.


Posted Jul. 21, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
joanp

Join Date: 06/13/11

Posts: 102

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

This was a very satisfying read, good story, beautiful writing and thought provoking themes. I will recommend it to my book club.


Posted Jul. 21, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
mystinamarie

Join Date: 12/19/12

Posts: 37

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

Honestly, I had a hard time getting into this book. I have never read any Dean Koontz before and the start was very slow and tedious. Eventually I started to get into it, though.

I really liked Koontz's style of laying the foundation for further character and plot dimensions. For example, lines like "And some years later, again on the same day, we once more lost someone beloved." Because this doesn't reveal MUCH, just enough to whet your appetite that further pieces of the puzzle are coming. It really is a great story-telling voice, one that kept me wanting to read to reveal those nuggets later in the story.


Posted Jul. 23, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
tswaine

Join Date: 09/14/11

Posts: 94

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I really liked the book. I think I might have read one other Dean Koontz novel, but that's about it. It took me a while to pick it up and start reading, but once I got into it, I wanted to keep going. I enjoyed the storyline and I really liked Jonah.


Posted Jul. 28, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
caroln

Join Date: 04/14/11

Posts: 101

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I have intentionally stayed away from Dean Koontz and his supernatural stories, so this is my first Koontz adventure. I had a difficult time getting into this book - the start was slow but I'm glad I stayed with it as the second half of the book was amazing. His characters rich, especially with the author's way of layering the foundation of each of them. He definitely has a strong story-telling voice; his writing is beautiful and this themes most provoking.


Posted Jul. 29, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
valeriec's Gravatar
valeriec

Join Date: 10/20/10

Posts: 33

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

This is my first Dean Koontz book, and though well-written, it took over a hundred pages to engage my interest. I will finish this book, but am unlikely to read another by this author, but that is just my weirdness. I like straight fiction or fantasy, but not the two mixed together.


Posted Aug. 13, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
heylaydee

Join Date: 07/11/13

Posts: 8

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I like Dean Koontz' style of writing and how his characters draw you into the story. I would highly recommend this book to others.


Posted Aug. 16, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Ericketeer

Join Date: 08/16/14

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I love the story, the characters, the prose, the humour, and all the other things that make Dean Koontz the author he is. I've been reading his novels for decades now and although you, as a fan reader, get used to his style and you admire how can he think of this kind of stories


Posted Aug. 17, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Rachael

Join Date: 08/17/14

Posts: 1

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

Loved it, as I knew I would...I love everything Dean Koontz writes!


Posted Aug. 18, 2014 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
rebeccar

Join Date: 03/13/12

Posts: 548

RE: Overall, what do you think of The City? (no spoilers please)

I was entertained by this book and am so glad I received a copy. It is an original story, and i appreciate that. I like to be entertained, and this book does the trick. It seems realistic at the same time that there is the element of supernatural.


Reply

Please login to post a response.