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The Cypress House Michael Koryta 9780316053723 Books

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The Cypress House Michael Koryta 9780316053723 Books

This book, although a bit tedious in some spots, ended with such an impactful and memorable conclusion, that I am quickly searching for other books by Koryta. The story really drew me in at the beginning, starting with a touching tale of a man and young adult (Arlen and Paul) riding a train, unfolding Arlen's unique and mysterious ability to predict when others are about to die. As you are drawn into this story, the two end up at the Cypress House, where they encounter many strange events that eventually culminate in a life and death battle. This story may on the surface seem to be about a complex drug scandal whose ringleader wreaks havoc on a small town. but the true story is really about life's physical and spiritual bonds of love, and its powerful ability to cross the barrier from death to life. As I mentioned above, the part of the book when Arlen and Paul first come to the Cypress House gets a bit long, drawn out and boring, as if the author is searching for a reason to keep writing the book. But the story does pick up once Paul leaves Cypress House, and when he finally returns, the storyline becomes much more fast paced and compelling, such that I could not put the book down. The ending is just superb and left me amazed and wanting more. If you get bored in the middle, when I was very close to just giving up on the book, know that the boring middle is worth wading through to get to the end.


Tags : The Cypress House [Michael Koryta] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. <strong>A journey to Florida's coast becomes an inescapable nightmare in the newest supernatural thriller from international bestseller Michael Koryta.</strong> Arlen Wagner has seen it in men before--a trace of smoke in their eyes that promises imminent death. He is never wrong. When Arlen awakens on a train one hot Florida night and sees death's telltale sign in the eyes of his fellow passengers,Michael Koryta,The Cypress House,Little, Brown and Company,0316053724,Boardinghouses;Fiction.,Depressions;1929;Fiction.,Political corruption;Fiction.,1929,AMERICAN MYSTERY & SUSPENSE FICTION,Boardinghouses,Depressions,FICTION Thrillers General,Fiction,Fiction - Espionage Thriller,Fiction-Thriller,Florida,GENERAL,General Adult,Political corruption,Supernatural beings; Hurricanes; Corruption; Political corruption; Mysteries; Love; Fear,Thrillers - General,United States

The Cypress House Michael Koryta 9780316053723 Books Reviews

The Cypress House has become one of my favorite Michael Koryta novels. It's a master work of fiction with a story and characters that stayed with me for days after I finished reading. I plan to read the book again. To be honest, I wasn't sure I'd like a story set during the Great Depression, and I wasn't sure I'd like Arlen, the protagonist. Once I got into the first chapter, though, I was hooked, and the story pulled me in deeper, chapter by chapter, until i couldn't put the book down. The fabulous ending was just as I hoped it would be, and the story was filled with mystery and suspense and great twists I didn't see coming. Loved it! Highly recommended.
I seem to be on a thriller kick lately - no idea why.

This book is exactly what it says it is, and does a very good job at it. The writing is tight, the plotting is excellent, and I cared enough about the characters to make the storyline gripping.

The supernatural elements are an integral part of this story but never overwhelm it. Imagine a Jack Reacher novel where Jack Reacher has that ability and you pretty much have this book. Well - without the overtones of indestructible superman that can creep into some of the Jack Reacher novels. (Don't get me wrong - love the Reacher books. But "so well muscled the bullet did not kill him" was a bit much to swallow. Yes, I get that it was also the calibre of the bullet, and the type of hand gun - but it was still a bit too "super hero".) Arlen Wagner is a very believable character - rather strange when you realise he can see who is going to die by looking in their eyes. It sounds peculiar, doesn't it? The man with the psychic power being a little more believable than a character like Jack Reacher, and yet that is the effect. Kudos to Koryta for managing this.

How does Koryta do it? Well - no amazing physical abilities. Wagner is a tough guy, but not physically indestructible. And then there is his personality - he makes the occasional mistake, both in his personal interactions with others and in his action role. Nothing that cannot be remedied or worked around, but he makes mistakes. And then there is his attitude towards his ability - he resists it and it causes him problems - very believable. Add to this that Arlen is very likeable, even admirable.

So the main character is a gem. What about the other main characters? There is the damsel in distress, Rebecca Cady. Is she completely innocent, is she complicit (even if only partially complicit), can she be trusted? Rebecca is tough without being over the top, vulnerable without being a weakling, alluring without being a caricature. In short - a great character. Then there is Paul, the young man that Arlen is with from the beginning. Another character that rings one hundred per cent true - he is young, with the virtues and faults that come with his youth and lack of experience. None of Koryta's characters are motivated by the plot - they are three dimensional people, each with their unique flaws, strengths and aims. Even the bad guys rise above cliche nasty to be actual people. And what these people do, try to do and avoid doing make the plot sizzle. It all just WORKS so well.

They situation itself is slowly revealed, and then we get into the fun part - what is Arlen going to do about it? This is another strong section of the book - Arlen makes good decisions, has the occasional falter, and manages a satisfying conclusion that is neither too pat nor too easy.

In short - Korytas can write, and he has a great handle on story. He is good with dialogue, good with characterisation, good at creating a gripping plot that builds naturally out of his initial scenes, and good at finishing it off with an ending that satisfies on every level. The man is just plain GOOD.

I, naturally, raced out and bought several Koryta novels, barely bothering to read the blurbs. Which I am working my way through reading, and thoroughly enjoying. Don't you just LOVE it when you find a writer who knows exactly what he/she is doing, and delivers?
A friend recommended this, thinking I would enjoy the description of the Florida west coast in the '30's and she was right. Koryta creates a true sense of place and weaves a supernatural thread through a story of a man capable of telling who is going to die shortly, which capability causes him to leave a train at a station on the way to Key West and take a young friend with him. Naturally, the rest don't believe and head on out. Those familiar with Florida history will recall what happened in the Keys during the hurricane of 1935.

The problem with this power is that sometimes it works, sometimes not which tends to complicate things as the story continues of a small town ruled by a corrupt judge and sheriff. Well plotted and interesting story if a bit strong in places. I was surprised to discover how many books Koryta has published so may have to try a couple of more. Great book for spring break!
This book, although a bit tedious in some spots, ended with such an impactful and memorable conclusion, that I am quickly searching for other books by Koryta. The story really drew me in at the beginning, starting with a touching tale of a man and young adult (Arlen and Paul) riding a train, unfolding Arlen's unique and mysterious ability to predict when others are about to die. As you are drawn into this story, the two end up at the Cypress House, where they encounter many strange events that eventually culminate in a life and death battle. This story may on the surface seem to be about a complex drug scandal whose ringleader wreaks havoc on a small town. but the true story is really about life's physical and spiritual bonds of love, and its powerful ability to cross the barrier from death to life. As I mentioned above, the part of the book when Arlen and Paul first come to the Cypress House gets a bit long, drawn out and boring, as if the author is searching for a reason to keep writing the book. But the story does pick up once Paul leaves Cypress House, and when he finally returns, the storyline becomes much more fast paced and compelling, such that I could not put the book down. The ending is just superb and left me amazed and wanting more. If you get bored in the middle, when I was very close to just giving up on the book, know that the boring middle is worth wading through to get to the end.