The Dean Koontz Companion

Includes an interview with Koontz, evaluations of film versions of his novels, excerpts from some of his writings, and an annotated bibliography of his novels

From School Library Journal

YA-The curious, the devoted, as well as students of Dean Koontz will all find something to please them here. Beginning with an interview that concentrates on the author's life, Greenberg then offers a broad selection of the subject's work: his first published story ("Kittens"); a collection of essays in which he introduces other authors; a collection of his short, short stories for an imaginary magazine, Weird World; and his tightly woven essays on the ghost story, horror genre, and the craft of writing. Partisan articles on his style and on film versions of his work and an annotated bibliography of films and books that include stylistic/production notes round out this title. Teens in need of assistance as they begin critical analysis of popular fiction, who wonder "How does he do it?," or who just want to spend a little time with a friend should enjoy this book.Barbara Hawkins, Oakton High School, Fairfax, Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

A little something for the fans. Even Ed Gorman's long interview, kicking things off, has a canned quality, as if Koontz were selecting--and polishing--his responses with complete control. We learn that Koontz grew up in a poor household in the Pennsylvania hills, the offspring of a philandering father and long-suffering mother. Koontz was an indifferent scholar but loved reading science fiction; he credits his success to his wife, Greda, who supported him through his apprenticeship. Koontz comments on his work, on writing under pseudonyms, and on the difficulties he's had with publishers. Rarely, he talks about other writers, such as Thomas Harris. Matt Costello rounds up film and TV adaptations, summarizing and criticizing the productions on the basis of their fidelity to Koontz's stories; Koontz himself rounds up stray pieces, many of them short, odd, broadly humorous tales excerpted from an imaginary magazine called Weird World. The concluding pages are devoted to an annotated, thorough bibliography of Koontz's 60-odd novels, including the February 1994 paperback original, Winter Moon. This guide is pure, uncritical publicity, but it will circulate wherever the novels do, and that's everywhere. John Mort

About the Author

Martin H. Greenberg was honored in 1995 by the Mystery Writers of America with the Ellery Queen Award for lifetime achievement in mystery editing. He is also the recipient of two Anthony awards. Mystery Scene magazine called him "the best mystery anthologist since Ellery Queen." He has compiled more than 1,000 anthologies and is the president of TEKNO books. He lives in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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