The Touch [Paperback]

Daniel Keyes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 2003

When Karen Stark becomes pregnant, she and Barney are overjoyed. They’ve wanted a baby for so long. After an industrial accident, Barney unknowingly spreads radioactive dust into his neighborhood, into his home, and onto his wife’s body. As frightened friends and neighbors become enemies, the dream of becoming parents turns into a nightmare. . .

This new edition of Keyes' second novel includes a preface and additional material by the author.

Editorial Reviews

Review

". . . worthy attempt to probe the effect of suffering on the human condition. . ..The book merits purchase for fiction shelves." -- Library Journal

". . .a very human book with the spilling of emotions becoming more important than the radioactive accident." -- Herald Advertiser

". . .builds to its exciting climax from the very beginning. . . We think he has done an excellent job." -- Indianapolis Star

"A chilling Touch. One that you’ll remember." -- Kirkus

"Gripping, well-plotted book. . . a macabre and unusually provocative idea for a novel and he exploits it with narrative skill." -- Washington Star

About the Author

Daniel Keyes, best known for his novel Flowers for Algernon and for his nonfiction book The Minds of Billy Milligan, has been a teacher of writing in high schools and a professor of literature and creative writing in universities for more than thirty years.

Keyes, emeritus professor of Ohio University, resides with his wife in South Florida. They have two adult daughters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 232 pages
• Publisher: Challenge Press, Inc./Challcrest Press (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929519028
• ISBN-13: 978-1929519026
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,034,488 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!, January 7, 2012

By 

Irene - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Touch (Paperback)

I've bought this book as a present for my friend, because she's keen on the books of Keyes, but in Russia only two are translated. She was in ecstasies! :)

4.0 out of 5 stars The Touch, August 30, 2010

By 

Tam "LuvinGospel" (Brooklyn, NY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Touch (Paperback)

The Touch is about a man who becomes contaminated by radioactive dust from his job. The book does a good job in explaining the effect the radiocativity have on their lives. The reason why I gave the book 4 stars was because I felt Barney's relationship with Karen's sister does not fit anywhere in the book. The ending is touching.