Customer Reviews

The Touch

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Touch is Book Three in Author F. Paul Wilson's "Adversary Cycle", and while I've enjoyed all three books (The Keep and The Tomb are the previous installments), I still have NO clue what the have to do with one another. The Touch is a marked departure from the Horrific aspects of the two prior Adversary books; It's more in line with Wilson's Medical thrillers. Doctor Alan Bulmer is gifted (Or is it cursed..?) with the Dat-Tay-Vao, which enables him to heal with a touch, but seems to be exacting a terrible price. The characters are realistic and engaging, and Wilson's writing style is brisk; The story moves along quickly, and I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn't able to predict every plot-twist a mile in advance. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of Wilson's Adversary books.

I became a big fan of F. Paul Wilson after reading The Keep and The Tomb. The Touch was the third book of his that I read and I was not dissapointed. The novel began a little slowly with an introduction of the characters but soon developed into a mysterious thriller. I liked the story and how Wilson only lets the reader know what's happening to the main character as he is finding out himself. I thought it was a very intelligent and thrilling book and a very worthy addition to Wilson's Adversary Cycle. The Tomb is still my favorite by far but I thoroughly enjoyed The Touch as well as any of the others.

This is a book of suspense not horror. And like most of Wilson's books his character development is exceptional. I even recommend it to my wife who doesn't like horror novels. How this book fits into the Adversary Cycle I havent't a clue. So I guess I'll just have to read the final three to find out. A great book for a "dark and stormy night".

The Touch was written by F. Paul Wilson in 1985, but a new edition of the book has now been released. Being a new fan, I had to pick it up. I have no idea if this was the case when the book was originally written, but it is now part of Wilson's "Adversary Cycle", a series that also incorporates his "Repairman Jack" books. It will be interesting to see if events or characters in this book make reappearances in subsequent Jack books. This book shows that Wilson definitely had the writing "touch", even back in 1985.

Dr. Alan Bulmer has been a family physician for over a dozen years. One day, after a strange meeting with a seemingly-homeless man in the hospital, Bulmer discovers that his touch has the power to heal people instantaneously, wiping out everything from viruses to cancer, though it only works at certain times of the day. As word of this power leaks out, only Sylvia Nash, a beautiful, rich, and enigmatic woman whose son Bulmer has been treating, stands by him. Bulmer struggles to adapt to his changing circumstances, as well as to understand how "the Touch" works, but he may not get the chance. Sylvia's Vietnamese assistant, Ba, knows what the "Dat-tay-vao" is, and that it carries a price that Bulmer's only beginning to pay.

As I was reading The Touch, I found my mind wandering at times, wondering what parts of the book Wilson had updated. Bulmer's involved in a Senate committee testimony about health care, and I originally marveled at how some of the exact same arguments were being made back in 1985 that are being made today. Then I noticed that Wilson had updated a lot of the references to make the novel take place currently (Iraq, Harry Potter, etc). Finally, I was able to set that aside, but one thing really jumped out at me, one anachronism that made me stop and stare for a moment.

When the terminally ill Senator reflects back to when he was first diagnosed with his disease, Wilson has the doctor smoking like a chimney while he's giving the Senator his tests. Either the Senator has been sick for a very long time, or Wilson forgot to update that part.

However, when that's the only real fault I can come up with, you know that a book is good. Wilson captures his characters brilliantly, both heroes and villains, making you want to continue to read about them. You actually have some sympathy for the Senator and his circumstances until Wilson cuts off that sympathy by showing to what extent he will go to in order to get his cure. Bulmer, Nash, even Axelford (a sometimes boyfriend of Nash who is extremely skeptical of anything that requires "belief," which includes the Dat-tay-vao until he can scientifically prove it), all of them spring off the page in full three dimensions.

I thought at first that the opening of the book was extremely slow, but as I continued through it, it became apparent that it was all very important set up. We see a lot of Bulmer's mindset as a physician during this time, his need to help people. His view that "hands-on" medicine is much better than the "take a number, prescribe a pill, see next patient" method of medicine that is too inhuman. Thus, when Bulmer does get the Dat-tay-vao, his struggle to use it (or not use it, as his life starts to get worse) is even more poignant.

Wilson's prose is excellent as well. He even manages to make the medical terminology palatable, once they begin figuring out just how the Dat-tay-vao is affecting Bulmer. Even the rather slow beginning is more from the pace of the novel than the prose itself. Wilson's writing keeps you reading to find out about these characters (especially Ba, who I loved).

This edition of The Touch also has a new short story that fleshes out the story of how the Dat-tay-vao left Vietnam during the war and made its way to the northeastern United States. I believe this is a brand new story, and even in its shortness, Wilson manages to capture everything beautifully.

Since I have never read the original book, I don't know if Wilson changed the ending at all to make it fit better with the "Adversary Cycle." Without being part of a series, it very much fits the "everything's finished...for now" conclusions that many authors go for. Whether it's been changed or not, the ending makes it obvious to me that at least one character is going to show up again. Yet the book itself does reach a conclusion; there is no "to be continued." I like that in a novel.

The Touch is another masterwork by F. Paul Wilson. Whether as a standalone novel or as part of the Cycle, it's definitely worth a read if you like a bit of medical horror in your reading diet.

Originally published on Curled Up With a Good Book © David Roy, 2009

A doctor is grasped by a man thought to be deranged, while the doctor was making his rounds at the hospital. At first, the doctor feels a shock and soon finds that when he touches people who are sick, they become miraculously healed.

Dr. Alan Bulmer is an old-time family physician who delights with the personal touch and feels that getting to know his patients helps in the healing process.

When he notices his new ability to heal by touching others, he tries to downplay his wondrous medical talent but, as word spreads, people bombard his office and he has little peace. He can only use his healing touch for a limited time daily and when he is unable to help some people, there are occasions when the people become enraged.

His marriage is affected and only a few people stand by him as some people begin to call him a charlatan pretending to be a faith healer.

This book was vastly entertaining and heart warming. What a wonderful idea for the terminally ill to have a miracle cure and receive a second chance at life. The author has built in mounting suspense as the story comes to a conclusion and spices the novel with some very unique characters.

The conclusion is somewhat predictable but nevertheless, "The Touch," is a good read that won't be forgotten.

If I could give it 3 and 1/2 stars I would. Don't read this book as the "ultimate terror" as the cover suggests. Instead, read it like a supernatural medical mystery. There is some suspense, though not much. What makes this a truly interesting read is that nothing's explained...what?? you may say. It's true... if you read this as part of the adversary cycle, in it's proper order, you will be intrigued, but not frustrated at its lack of explanation for anything. Read it after the keep and the tomb, with the confidence that all will be tied together eventually.

A wonderful story of a man dealing with the uncaring medical machine he is a part of, the love of his profession, and the trials of being more than just an average doctor. A doctor with a heart who feels that patients should be treated like people instead of bodies to be processed, he is given the gift of the healing touch. Like most gifts, this is a double edged sword and there are those who want him and his gift for their own purposes.

I am a book junkie and was on e-bay a while ago when I found a deal of 52 horror novels for 24 dollars. I jumped on it. I have read around 20 of the books from that collection and to my disappointment, they have not been good. Until this one. This book was magic in its' purest of form. It is properly titled as it will touch your very soul and make you ache for the highly ethical sweetheart of the doctor who is the main character. This one book alone was worth every penny of that 24 dollar investment.

This book was very enjoyable and I recommend it highly to anyone who is a fan of medical thrillers, F. Paul Wilson, or page-turning novels. While most of the characters are cardboard cutouts in terms of their motives and actions, the storyline allows the reader to be swept up in the momentum of the tale and forgive Mr. Wilson for not being more original in his writing. A well-done tale that was put together in seamless fashion.

First off, anyone who picks this book up will notice, on at least one edition or another, that it says on the front, "Feel the Ultimate Horror". Well I must say first off that this book has NO horror whatsoever; rather, it is a medical thriller. This is not to say it isn't good; it has a solid plot, good characters, and enjoyable scenes. DEFINATELY DO *not* PICK THIS BOOK UP TO START READING THE "ADVERSARY CYCLE". To do that, read "The Keep" first (VERY good, VERY scary), then read "The Tomb" (VERY good, sort of scary). Before you go on to read "Reborn", "Reprisal", and "Nightworld", you MUST read "The Touch". Honestly, I don't know why, but all the reviews and even Dr. Wilson himself (yes, he's a doctor; this book just proves it) say so. Just look at this book as a quick and easy obstacle to overcome before you get to the real treats... And as I said, DO NOT JUDGE *this* BOOK BY IT'S COVER! Read "The Keep", then "The Tomb". You will enjoy the series better this way.