The Mask [Paperback]

Dean Koontz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 15, 1990

A beautiful young girl appears out of nowhere. A teenager with no past, no family--no memories. Carol and Paul were drawn to her. She was the child they'd never had. Most mothers would die for such a darling little angel. And that's what frightened Carol most of all...

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The books of Dean Koontz are published in 38 languages, and worldwide sales top 400 million copies. Eleven of his novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list, and several have been adapted into feature films and TV miniseries. Dean and Gerda Koontz live in southern California with their golden retriever, Anna, grand-niece of the famous and beloved Trixie. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (August 15, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425127583
• ISBN-13: 978-0425127582
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #349,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I was born and raised in Pennsylvania where I graduated from Shippensburg State College (now Shippensburg University). When I was a senior in college, I won an Atlantic Monthly fiction competition and have been writing ever since. My first job after graduation was with the Appalachian Poverty Program, where I was expected to counsel and tutor underprivileged children on a one-to-one basis. During my first day on the job, I discovered that the previous occupier of my position had been beaten up by the very kids he had been trying to help and had landed in the hospital for several weeks. The following year was filled with challenge but also tension, and I was more highly motivated than ever to build a career as a writer. I wrote nights and weekends, which I continued to do after leaving the poverty program and going to work as an English teacher in a suburban school district outside Harrisburg. After a year and a half in that position, my wife, Gerda, made me an offer I couldn't refuse: "I'll support you for five years," she said, "and if you can't make it as a writer in that time, you'll never make it." By the end of those five years, Gerda had quit her job to run the business end of my writing career. Gerda and I, along with our dog, Trixie, live in southern California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good....but could have been better., May 3, 2005

By 

Daniel Vullo "BRAIN CANDYMAN" (Weehawken, Nj United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mask (Paperback)

I did enjoy THE MASK alot, this was a good eerie novel dealing with reincarnation, it seemed obvious in the beginning, but like any Koontz novel the obvious lies within the unobvious, and when we are finally allowed to look outside the box, we are shown a bigger picture than originally thought. I did enjoy the supernatural element, but The Mask did have a few flaws that kept it from greatness: One being, that Koontz, never really explains the supernatural element that was tipping off the main charactors; were the spirits good or bad? Also, the book ended too abruptly,It was wrapped up in 10 pages. We never know the fate of the charactors, did they live happily ever after? But over all I'll try to stay positive and The Mask is a good early novel for Koontz.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars woman behind the mask, April 17, 2003

By 

stephen lambert (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mask (Paperback)

I would have to say as an avid Dean Koontz novel enthusiast, I would have to say that this novel is not one of Dean Koontz's best works. In the previous novels by Koontz you are indulged in the book as soon as you begin to read it. It took me a while to get into this book but as soon as the book started to pick up and get exciting it was a good book overall. However just as the book was starting to get exciting the book came to an abrupt end which was very disappointing.
The Mask begins with a couple in an adoption agency and they are discussing the possibility of adopting a child. The story drags on for the first 50 pages of the dialouge exchanged between the couple and the agent for the adopting agency. This is the point however that Dean Koontz is able to work his magic just as you are about to put the book down due to boredom the action begins. Just as they were about to leave the agency lighting strikes through the window causing mass confusion and excitement. I'm not going to further elaboarate on this scene due to the fact I don't want to spoil the surprise.
As the Tracys continue to live their lives after the adoption agency incident strange things begin to happen. Their once normal house is all of the sudden hampered by a constant hammering sound as if someone is trying to knock their house down. Also they see a suspicious I guess it could be described as an aporition that has frequented their back yard.
The real trouble begins when Carol is driving to work one day and when out of nowhere a girl walks out in front of Carol and Carol hits her with her car sending her flying into a ditch and what Carol beleives to be a permanent state of amnesia

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creepy psychological thriller!, March 29, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mask (Paperback)

I thought that this was one of the best books that I ever read! That is saying a lot for me since I am so picky! This book was a real page turner, and I read it in like three days. The couple grabs your attention right away, I mean who picks up a child on the side of the road? You have to admit, that part is a little creepy to begin with! I read this book back in H.S. so it's hard to remeber a lot of the plot. After reading this book you may never look at hitch hiker's the same way again! If you believe in the idea of past lives, or if you like psychological thrillers than this book is for you!