I have read an upwards of 20 Dean Koontz books, and I consider him one of my favorite authors. However, The Vision is not one of his best works. I'm giving The Vision a two star rating because the best word to describe it really is "ok." It's about 350 pages long, but a pretty quick read. (I finished it in about 3 days.) Many of the pages are filled up with character dialogue, so they read very quickly. The characters themselves were interesting and, for the most part, witty (especially Lou and Max), but overall I found them either unlikable or underdeveloped. I would have liked to hear more about Mary's brother Alan or more of a background on her husband, Max. Mary Bergen herself, the main character, was a little annoying to me. My main problem with the book was that I felt it didn't start to get really interesting until 200 pages in and very shortly afterward, once it finally started to get interesting, the identity of the killer was glaringly obvious to me. So, I spent the last 100 pages or so just waiting for the characters in the book to figure it out. However, the book still held some surprises for me and, in places, it still managed to give me that on-edge, creepy-crawly feeling that I hope for when I pick up a Dean Koontz book. The ending was satisfying, but it was all resolved pretty quickly and left me with a few minor unanswered questions. So, all-in-all, I wouldn't say The Vision is anywhere near being one of my favorite books (or even one of my favorite Dean Koontz books) but I enjoyed it for the most part.
Description: Mary Bergen is a clairvoyant, able to forsee murders that will happen in the near future, but unable to prevent them from taking place. And now she is up against a power that is stronger than her own, a power that is taking her over, a power that is trying to kill her before she can identify it...Opening: 'GLOVES OF BLOOD.'The woman raised her hands and stared at them, stared through them.Her voice was soft but tense. 'Blood on his hands.' Her own hands were clean and pale.Her husband leaned forward from the back seat of the patrol car. 'Mary?'She did not respond.'Mary, can you hear me?''Yes.''Whose blood do you see?''I'm not sure.''The victim's blood?''No. In fact...it's his own.''The killer's?''Yes.'There is a scene just like this circa page 133, yet there is not a hattip accorded to D du M.A fab little clairvoyant versus poltergeist story with added telekinesis, and as it was no longer than it should be.3* Odd Thomas (Odd Thomas, #1)3* Forever Odd (Odd Thomas, #2) TR Brother Odd (Odd Thomas, #3) 2* Intensity 2* Phantoms 3* Strangers 1* The Taking 4* The Good Guy 3* Whispers 3* Tick Tock 2* The Darkest Evening of the Year 2* By the Light of the Moon 3* Mr. Murder 1* Dragon Tears 2* The Face TR Darkfall3* Winter Moon 3* The Vision 3* Black River 3* 77 Shadow Street (Pendleton, #1) 2* Fear Nothing (Moonlight Bay, #1)1* Seize the Night (Moonlight Bay, #2)
What do You think about The Vision (1986)?
I think I blocked out this book. I can't even imagine Koontz coming up with some of the things the villain did. Poor Mary. No wonder she had emotional issues. Pretty good, but too disgusting for me in some parts.
— Danielle The Book Huntress (Self-Proclaimed Book Ninja)
Mary's clairvoyance seems to stem from a childhood trauma she can't completely recall. If only her visions were pleasant, but they are gruesome and always show a murder she can't prevent. Who is the serial killer? Is it someone she knows? Is she on the killer's list? This seems to be one of Koontz's earlier novels. The point of view gets a bit shaky, and we have some scenes that remind me of Alfred Hitchcock movies. There are interesting twists and a satisfying ending. I'm glad my favorite character is innocent.
—Gloria Piper
Lilly wrote: "I found the book in my house the other day and the cover intrigued me. Your review will allow me to give it a go."I always enjoy Dean Koontz stories - hope you do too.
—Julie Powell
