EireneDay — Whiskers on Kittens

The last two posts that I’ve done about Dean Koontz clearly show what an exemplary writer the man truly is. But, dear readers, what I love the most about his writing is that it is steeped in truth. Much like happiness, truth is a difficult word to define because it is multifaceted. Like a prism, it is constantly the same, but reflecting a myriad of colors and shapes which change in expression but never in substance.

The 3rd novel in Koontz’s Jane Hawk series, The Crooked Staircase- which is part of our ongoing giveaway here at Whiskers On Kittens (see post here or scroll to the bottom of this post for more info)- contains several instances when stark, unstinting truth is on full display. Some of these truisms are heavy; others are light. I’ve included a few of my favorites today.

We all know this, but sometimes it’s very difficult to find the truth. Obfuscation. Downright deception. Guises. Cloak and dagger. There are always forces out there trying to hide it, but I have to agree with this statement. Truth is always there. You simply have to look for it.

What sort of people would want to hide the truth, or worse, disguise it as something else all together? Beware of those who say they are for truth, but are really redefining what truth is. Like these guys:

“The world had always been acrawl with their squamous kind in nuisance numbers, but these days they flourished as never before, after centuries of compounding technological advances had put into their hands more power than kings of old had dreamed, power that should only be entrusted to benign gods.”

The squamous kind in nuisance numbers have a specific attitude about them. Perhaps you seen it. How many of you, dear readers, have known someone like the person described below?

But, as always, Koontz provides those glimmers of hope for us to see. Dickens may have said it best with his famous Tale of Two Cities It was the best of times, it was the worst of time, but Koontz echoes the sentiment with this next line.

“They were good at enduring; adversity was the touchstone by which they proved their value to themselves.”

Now, this line is applicable in almost every facet of life, not just the one Koontz highlights. Commitment, dear readers, is a vital thing.

“Stalking and being stalked, you’re more likely to die from lack of commitment than from taking action.”

This might be getting a little metaphorical or is it philosophical? Regardless, those who dwell in darkness, at some point, lose touch with their humanity. Like this fellow:

In fact, Koontz discusses the different elements of darkness with this quote:

How about this next one? Powerful imagery doubles the potency of powerful truth here:

And on that note, I love what Jane has to say here:

I’ll end with this jewel. One of my all time favorite lines from any Dean Koontz novel comes from False Memory. I’ve re-quoted it numerous times here at Whiskers. This next quote ranks up there with that quote. They both deal with love. I wholeheartedly agree with Koontz’s assessment of what love is and how intrinsic and integral it is to civilization, especially.