The Funhouse

This book of 'revenge' is a fun book to read. In many ways, this book reminds Me of another book of Koontz's that I highly recommend and that is Twight Eyes. This is a RECOMMENDED READ for a Dean Koontz reader.

This is a horror story, which was based on a screenplay written by and ther writer. As Mr. Koontz explains a screenplay had been written and a movie planned. Mr. Koontz was authorized to compose a corresponding novel. This process is known as "novelization". As such, the storyline is not completely the product of Mr. Koontz's intellectual process. Apparently the movie did not do well, at least at first and neither did the novel. As a novelization apparently the fate of the novel is linked to the movie to some extent.I do not intend to write in a way that spoils the story. The story is set in the early 1980s in America. In that this a horror story, there are some very gruesome situations that occur between human beings. As a retired police detective, I felt there was no way I would have failed to "connect some of the dots" and therefore have had an ensuing avenue of investigation. In that context, I found the storyline a bit weak.Generally I have read relatively few modern horror stories. I seldom go to such movies. Therefore I am not in a position to compare this novel to other modern horror novels. The writing is OK. Obviously there is much dark content. As a parent, I was dismayed about some very dark exchanges between parents and their children. Perhaps this is common in modern horror stories. I did not like this aspect of the novel. According to some research I did, Mr. Koontz may have been the victim of emotional abuse by a parent. Obviously he may have a base of knowledge that makes his writing realistic. I would not want my children to read this book until adulthood. I do not intend to recommend this novel to them.Although a horror story, there is a "morality tale" aspect tomthis story. I did like that. Mr. Koontz is originally from Pennsylvania, as am I. I enjoy reading authors from Pennsylvania. I wish to study his work further and have already purchased another novel, "Whispers". I wish to read a novel by Mr. Koontz that is fully his own intellectual product. I will not read it immediately. I sort of need a break.

I almost didn't buy this to read because of all of the less flattering reviews of it, but then I had to remember all of the critical reviews of 77 Shadow Street, which, to me, wasn't as bad as everyone said it was. People were downright trashing it and, granted, there were some hard to understand aspects to the book, but I still think it was an entertaining read. And I say the same for this one. After having read The Funhouse myself and reading all of the negative reviews, I think people are being hard on Mr. Koontz. Again, as I've said in other reviews, I defend a person's right to have an opinion, negative or positive, but people are forgetting that this was the novelization of a screenplay. If the plot seemed undeveloped, it's only because the movie itself was. It couldn't have been easy for him to create a backstory for the characters. I heard some people saying that he never explained why Gunther was the way he was and that's something I would have liked to know as well. But was an explanation really necessary? I didn't think so. I mean, how do you explain how someone sires a demonic (or whatever he was) offspring not once, but twice? Conrad worshipped Satan - what other explanation was needed? In the end, the people giving this book bad reviews was taking this story too serious. This book was meant to be fun and entertaining like an 80's slasher flick. You're glad to see the potheads and slutty friend get what's coming to them and the innocent, God-fearing kids escape. It won't win any Pulitzer Prizes, but so what! If you want a memoir, go read one. If you want a good read without all of the rhetoric and fancy word play, well - here you go.

I knew about the movie and I am a fan. Then I heard about this book, so much more detail than the movie. I really enjoyed the back story of the characters.

I love most of Mr. Koontz' novels. I find that his characters necessarily evolve and become more than what they were when they were introduced; and there is typically a clear reason why. This book however, seems to assume that the character development, shallow as that endeavor seems to be, should satisfy us regardless of its lack of progress.The only somewhat developed character in the entire book is the two-dimensional daughter of a Rigid Religious mother who in turns becomes the person she most feared: her mother, thus in turn, demoralizing her own daughter with even more vigor and zeal, though there is a reasonable explanation why this is so. Yet even this character pales as the pages turn only because there is no growth, no understanding, no redemption or even hope.The best Mr. Koontz could come up with is this woman occasionally questioning the person she has become. There were a few moments where I thought the light would transform this woman as the real Dean Koontz could be seen beginning to mold her but he quickly returned to speed of pen and dropped all pretense of moving this character along.This novel seems to have been thrown together from a series of story boards that may have seemed cohesive but just basically tossed into a mix. Plot points? Fairly predictable.Finally, the "Religious" woman is painted with an old and tired brush. Either novelists today are unacquainted with true spiritual characters, or just refuse to show any Religious person as three dimensional, sane, rational, or even joyful entity.I understand the reasoning for this lack of "normalcy" being attached to the character of both religious women, but a modicum of exploration could possibly have given this book a real plot point: Salvation.Disappointing. But I gave it three stars only out of respect for a great writer who just happened to fall flat on this one.

got bored so speed read, predictable outcome, not recommended

I admit I haven't read his other books but have read this one many times since owning it from years ago and I think it's fab. Great nerve jangling story telling . Will have to give the others a shot. In opposition to a lot of reviews i would say it's definitely worth a read !

I was impressed with this delivery, it was a used book but for the price was in excellent condition. I devoured it quickly, the story is a reprint as Dean Koontz first wrote it under another name. A good scary story.

This guy is my favourite writer ever! This book is spine chilling.It had me thinking something else was the killer all along untill the very end!What a twist!Recommended to anyone who wants a read that's full of action and fast paced!

A great story which grips you from start to finish