Frankenstein, Book One: Prodigal Son
Summary
Publisher: Books on TapeI remember awhile back the TV commercials for Dean Koontz’s Frankenstein TV movie. I had thought that I had missed the airing, but Mr. Koontz gives and explanation of what happened in the beginning of this book. I am glad he had the courage to stand up for what he believed in.
Frankenstein, Book One: Prodigal Son is the first in a series of books about a modern Frankenstein’s monster. I appreciate how Mr. Koontz didn’t try to reinvent the Frankenstein story, instead he build upon and brought the story into modern times. Think of it as a long awaited sequel to the original. Frankenstein, Book One: Prodigal Son introduces many characters that I think will be around in the rest of the series, and covers the back-story from then to now. When I think of Frankenstein I think of the classic green, flat-headed monster. That is not the Frankenstein of Dean Koontz; his is more a tormented immortal that is constantly struggling with his inner self and what he was created to be.
I enjoyed this book, moments of suspense, fairly well developed characters, with an interesting and unique story. I look forward to reading the second book of the series.
Narrator Review
Scott Brick has narrator many books; this is the first that I have listened to with him as the narrator. I thought Scott Brick was perfect for this story. He led you through an interesting tale with emotion and conviction.
Publishers Summary
The first in a mesmerizing four-book original series, Prodigal Sonis a brilliant re-imagining and updating of the classic Frankenstein story that only Dean Koontz could conceive. Two hundred years old, the “monster”, Deucalion, is a monster no more. Literate and intelligent, he arrives in modern-day New Orleans, where he will join forces with a street-smart police detective and her partner on the trail of a macabre serial killer…a serial killer spawned, Deucalion will discover, by his own creator, Dr. Victor Frankenstein, now Victor Helios. Now Deucalion will find that there are many others like him, that they live among us at every strata of society, and that his nemesis, Victor Frankenstein, has survived the centuries as well, and dreams of seeding the earth with his creations.
©2005 Dean Koontz; (P)2005 Books on Tape, Inc.
What the Critics Say
“A grisly thriller….The odd juxtaposition of a police procedural with a neo-gothic, mad scientist plot gives the novel a wickedly unusual and intriguing feel….A compelling read, with an elegant cliffhanger ending.” (Publishers Weekly)
Disclosure
Audiobook borrowed from my local library.
