September 29th, 2008
So I recently finished reading a book by Dean Koontz, entitled The Taking. It was recommended to me by a friend of mine at work.
It follows a struggling writer named Molly Sloan, who lies awake one night in a state of insomnia listening to the unexpected rain storm. There is something unusual about the rain, and something even stranger about the night entirely. When a sudden eerie sound wakes her husband, they realize something very wrong is going on. The story involves invasive alien-like fungi, steep fog, and people disappearing. The only beings that seem to be able to sense what is going on are the dogs. News reports show that not only is her little town being invaded, but the entire world is experiencing it. It starts with tremendous rainstorms that flood the towns, and fog so thick it’s impossible to see through. News stations broadcast blurred scenes of rioting, and people stark with fear- something else seems to be in the fog.
After they decide to seek comfort in numbers, Molly and her husband head to the center of town where they find neighbors debating over what action to take. Soon, the two of them find themselves desperately searching through their small lake town for the children, who seem to be the only ones who are not being “taken”. A dog becomes their guide in locating these children, within houses that groan and shriek.
The book was gripping in it’s tale. Mr Koontz does an amazing job at creating this ominous and surreal scene that captures you and thrusts you into this dark world. I thought the ending was the most interesting part, and it really wrapped the story up nicely. It was though-provoking, and made the rest of the story just that much more intriguing. I would definitely recommend picking this one up to read.