Literary Elements

There are four main literary elements that help Koontz to make this novel worth reading:

1. Characterization - Koontz uses mainly dialogue and some descriptions to help with characterizing the people in his novel. The interactions between characters show their true selves as they are forced to react in situations that most people would never imagine being put in. Their interactions with other people contrast their vastly different personalities.
   
2. Rising Action - Almost all of Koontz's novel is a constant build up of events that at first seem completely unrelated but then towards the end of the novel begin to connect to each other. Unlike most books, the rising action is almost constant up until the end and then there is very little falling action. This creates quite a feeling of suspense throughout the whole story.
   
3. Imagery - Koontz is quite big on using lots of imagery in his stories. He uses colorful language to describe everything around you in the novel in such a way that the reader would have no problem whatsoever trying to imagine what the scenes look like. Although some critics think that he utilizes too many descriptions in his writing, it does help to create a sense that you are part of the story going on.
4. Conflict - The amount of conflict in Koontz's novels is ridiculously large. There are multiple characters in different situations that seem completely unrelated and sometimes come in conflict with each other. In this novel particularly, there is conflict when towards the end of the story the government becomes involved with the creatures that were discovered. There is also inner conflict with many of the characters as they try to make large decisions that will determine the outcome of their futures.
   

Social Issues

There are quite a few social issues in this novel, but the main one occurs at the end of the novel when the government comes into the picture and tries to determine what they are going to do with the creatures that were dicovered. This is quite the controversial issue because the people who found the creatures think that they should be allowed to be free. The government wanted to confiscate them because they think they are a national threat, but really they aren't. Another large issue that comes up is murder. There is one man who kills two people and there is another attempted murder but the woman is saved. Neither of these people are punished for their acts/attempted acts.

Critic's Views

Many critics believe that Koontz's book Breathless is not up to the same quality level as his previous novels. Although the story has multiple plots that all eventually connect, many people who read the book believed that they were not connected enough and that it was confusing. Also, many of the critics thought that the book was dull, using too much imagery. One critic said, "...he starts to create a mystery but quickly falls back into colorful description of scenery, people and moods. Count how often he uses color related words such as copper, gold, silver, blue, etc etc etc to describe the sky, the grass, the road, the twilight, a meadow, yadda, yadda, yadda. Koontz must get royalties from Crayola." However some critics liked the novel, but this may be because it was their first time reading Koontz. One of the critics said, "Reapeat the mantra, 'I will suspend my sense of disbelief,' to yourself as you read Breathless, as, let's admit, one must do to really get into and appreciate much of Sci Fi and Fantasy novels. If you do, you will probably find yourself enjoying Breathless quite a bit."

Author's Life

Dean Koontz:

• Born and raised in Pennsylvania


• Graduated from Shippensburg State College


• His first job was filled with challenge and tension which later would reflect in his writing


• Got the opportunity to become a writer when his wife offered to support him for five years


• Has a golden retriever that led him to use dogs in his writing such as the Irish wolfhound in Breathless


• Was previously an English teacher