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