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Innocence

A Novel

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Innocence

By: Dean Koontz
Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews
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About this listen

He lives in solitude beneath the city, an exile from society, which will destroy him if he is ever seen.

She dwells in seclusion, a fugitive from enemies who will do her harm if she is ever found.

But the bond between them runs deeper than the tragedies that have scarred their lives. Something more than chance - and nothing less than destiny - has brought them together in a world whose hour of reckoning is fast approaching.

In Innocence, number-one New York Times best-selling author Dean Koontz blends mystery, suspense, and acute insight into the human soul in a masterfully told tale that will resonate with listeners forever.

©2013 Dean Koontz (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved. Fantasy Genre Fiction Horror Literary Fiction Romance Suspense Thriller & Suspense Scary Fiction

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Critic reviews

"Laced with fantastical mysticism, it’s an allegory of nonviolence, acceptance and love in the face of adversity. . . . The narrative is intense, with an old-fashioned ominousness and artistically crafted descriptions. . . . An optimistic and unexpected conclusion [mirrors] his theme. Something different this way comes from Mr. Koontz’s imagination. Enjoy." ( Kirkus Reviews)
"Entrancing . . . as speedy a chase-thriller as any Koontz . . . has ever constructed. Written in Koontz’ late mellifluent and reflective manner . . . [ Innocence is] fueled by deep disgust with the world’s evils [and] hope for redemption" ( Booklist, starred review)
"[An] imaginative, mystical thriller from bestseller Koontz . . . This is the most satisfying Koontz standalone in a while" ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant  
Well this was a suggestion with in our book club, not my standard genre. The way it is written makes you feel like you are there. I’m still kind of sat here at the end thinking ok so what happens now. The ending was fine, I just feel like they’ve flown the nest and left me x

First time koontz read

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I found this story gripping as the main characters aren't the hero type.
A little drawn out but stick with it.

Different from dean!

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Where does Innocence rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Totally different from what I expected

What did you like best about this story?

The acceptance of Addison with his life

Have you listened to any of MacLeod Andrews’s other performances? How does this one compare?

No

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

I have read others reviewers who have assumed that Addison is severely disfigured, in fact I don't think that this is actually said in book only implied. I believe that both Addison and Gwyneth are so pure of heart that other people fear them because of this and want to harm them.

A wonderful book

loved this

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would most certainly recommend this audiobook as it a well thought out & well written tale that will have the listener returning to it in the future as I believe it is a story that you can listen to more than once.

What did you like best about this story?

The whole story flows beautifully and it difficult to pick out any highlights as at no point does the story get boring.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

MacLeod Andrews actually brings the characters to life (which of course is the whole point of audio narration) & his portrayal of Addison Goodheart is outstanding.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A very thought provoking tale of human endurance that leaves you wishing for a follow up, but it is short on laughs as it isn't that sort of story.

Any additional comments?

Any Dean Koontz fan will love this book as I think this is up there with his finest works.

Another Koontz classic!!

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Wow, another great Dean Koontz, book. Even if your not a fan. You should read this spell binding, twisty and turny, book. He keeps you hooked from the first chapter, to the very last word.

Innocence.

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Great book and a nice twist at the end. A short lull here and there but overall fantastic.

Excellent by Dean Koontz

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If you could sum up Innocence in three words, what would they be?

Unbelievable. Lacks climax

Which character – as performed by MacLeod Andrews – was your favourite?

Telford

Any additional comments?

'Innocence' by Dean Koontz is a good book, but not great. The storyline is of Addison Goodheart, born into the world so hideous that people, when they see him, have the uncontrollable urge to beat him to death. He comes across Gwynneth, an 18-year-old suffering from socio-phobia and finds it hard to tolerate people. Addison feels compelled by his profound loneliness to accompany Gwynneth on her journey fighting Telford (a rapist, murderer, thief, etc.). This story has a paranormal twist to it.

My problems with this story is that it's unbelievable. A boy who is so ugly, in the modern world, and a civilised world at that, is chased, threatened and his surrogate father likewise and killed because of their disfigurements. He lives in the sewers and only comes out at night. That, though it is unbelievable, is appreciated as it is the story. Dean Koontz uses such long and unnecessary language, in descriptive areas, it's fine (to a certain extent), in dialogue, it makes all of the characters extremely well-read and articulate. Throughout, I kept thinking, throughout the dialogue parts, that 'They wouldn't say that'. I also found Gwynneth to be fairly annoying. Her insistance on Addison trusting her but not telling him pretty much anything, bugged me.

The performance - MacLeod Andrews does a decent job. His version of Telford, Hamlin and Simon are done well. But the main characters, Addison and Gwynneth, aren't up to scratch. Everything Addison says ends with an upward inflection, and Gwynneth, he goes a bit softer and in a higher pitch, she also sounds depressed all the time. He does anger well.

Overall, it's a fair listen. It does the job of filling silence with an interesting story, but it didn't do quite what I hoped for.

Decent But Not Great

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Is there anything you would change about this book?

The ending (whole last 1/3rd)

Would you be willing to try another book from Dean Koontz? Why or why not?

Yes - most of the story was interesting, only poor part was the ending

Was Innocence worth the listening time?

I thought so for a while - didn't enjoy the last 1/2-1hr at all though. Boring and predictable ending.

Great beginning and middle - poor ending

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What did you like most about Innocence?

Everything - the story, characters, story and the performance by the narrator. Excellent book highly recommend!

What did you like best about this story?

Again everything

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

Infinitely listenable ( not sure that's a real word but he so is!)

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I could not put it down - totally compelling

Any additional comments?

Warning - don't start listening until you have 11 hrs and 9 minutes straight to listen - I have done nothing else since I first pressed play! If you only download one book for christmas treat yourself to this one - inspired tale!

Brilliant

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Where does Innocence rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

One of my favourites so far. Please may audiobooks cover all of Dean's books unbridged as he is a marvellous writer and I for one will buy them all.

What about MacLeod Andrews’s performance did you like?

He read this clever book very well indeed.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book made me drop a tear on many occasions.

Any additional comments?

This is a must read book for everyone. It's clever and wonderfully written, portraying the characters and their unusual lives perfectly.

I couldn't stop listening.

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