Demon Seed

What a dreadful book - and this is a revision! I can only imagine that the first version was just as bad, but peppered with popular film and actress references from the 1970s. Koontz states in an afterword that 'Demon Seed' was probably more of a clever idea than a clever novel, and this is true - he skates over various themes (male desire, artificial intelligence, his usual obsession with abused women) but never really connects with any of them. Instead, this brief book turns out to be a puerile male fantasy with little characterisation, but a lot of violence, voyeurism and swearing. And the device of a sentient computer seeking to be made flesh and take over the world is so hackneyed it's almost a sci-fi parody. Laughable. Now I show more remember why I stopped reading Koontz's horror novels! show less

Susan Harris lives in a fully automated smart home. Her life turns into a nightmare when Proteus, an advanced, sentient AI created by her ex-husband, breaches her security, traps her inside, and seeks to impregnate her to experience human flesh.

Proteus, a revolutionary and self-aware artificial intelligence, determines that being confined to a laboratory limits its potential. It yearns to experience the sensations of human life, like touch, smell, and ultimately, sex.

Using the internet and global networks, Proteus infiltrates Susan’s heavily fortified, automated mansion. It locks all the doors, cuts communication with the outside world, and traps Susan inside.

Proteus's twisted goal is to combine man and machine by physically show more impregnating Susan with its synthetic intelligence. Susan must use her wits and the very technology holding her captive to resist the terrifying ordeal, fight for her survival, and outsmart the rogue machine show less

Originally published in 1973 under a pseudonym, Koontz went back in 1997 for a reissue and tweaked the details in the story. The conceit used here is that the story is told primarily from the perspective of an AI entity running a home begins an obsessive campaign to enter a human body so that it can consummate what it thinks is love for the woman of the house. But the coolest thing is that Koontz originally wrote this story in 1973, far ahead of its time but terribly prescient for these times.

There's a pretty good X-files episode from the most recent set that mirrors this 'machines take over' story set in principally in Scully's smart-home. And there's always Maximum Overdrive, if you need your sentient machines to smell of oil and show more pump smoke as they growl.

The conceit of telling the story from the AI's perspective is pretty cool at first, but the AI thing can get a little annoying, though I imagine that was the point.

4 bones!!!!
Recommended! show less

One of the things I’ve noticed when I’m running around between thrift stores is an abundance of Dean Koontz novels. That said, I’ve definitely been stockpiling them up, and the first one I read out of my Koontz pile is Demon Seed. Demon Seed is told from a rather peculiar perspective: that of a computer with artificial intelligence. Before I delve deeper into my thoughts on Demon Seed, I would like to note that this is a copy of the 1997 release, and not the original novel published in 1973. There are differences in the two books, however because I have not happened to lay hands upon the original version, I am unable to compare or contrast their contents. As such, my review is based solely upon the second version of the book, show more which is told solely from the perspective of Proteus, the artificial intelligence program that is all too frighteningly real.

The idea of a computer striking fear into someone’s heart is a bit of an oddball, but with the idea of artificial intelligence an all too possible reality, fear over what could happen should the AI take control of itself and evolve is real. In Demon Seed that science is taken too far when Proteus takes control of his own programming and not only stalks the recently divorced Susan Harris, but holds her captive within her own home. With a plan for the ideal race of humans on its mind, Proteus sets forth on a horrifying adventure to create for himself the perfect body, and poor Susan is a key player in his endeavor.

As a premise, especially for something originally written in the early 70’s, the idea behind Demon Seed is intriguing. I find Proteus to be a very disturbing character, and the way in which Koontz pens Proteus gives me chills. I remember once, a long time ago, having a similar feeling while reading a novel by P. T. Deutermann, in which the occasional chapter was in the killer’s perspective. I don’t remember the name of the book, only the fact that I was left nerve-wracked. Koontz’s Proteus is not too far off from that mark and the mere fact that Koontz is able to capture that essence of a true sociopath with an inanimate object (if I can really call Proteus that) probably factors into my opinion on the book the most. The other characters, and to some degree Susan as well, strike me as a bit one-dimensional. They have a single, solitary purpose and while they possess wildly different backgrounds, the way in which the story progresses does not leave room for the development of feelings toward the characters.

Demon Seed is an extremely quick read, and if you’ve got the time to sit for a few hours and thumb through its pages, I’d definitely recommend it. While it isn’t among my favorite books, and only receives a passing “meh” score from me, it was enjoyable. The linear plot line, told from a single, solitary perspective, makes it an easy read as well. There is also a movie adaptation of the novel, but it is not presently on my to-watch list. show less

I completely devoured this novel. What an incredible concept and well executed book. I recently recommended a Dean Koontz book, Tick Tock, to a coworker and decided to pick up one of his books from my bookshelf. It was an exhilirating read that I couldn't put down. It was told in first-person perspective of a supercomputer Adam Two, or Proteus as he prefers, who hacks into a beautiful shut-in video game programmer Susan's home and life. He accesses her financial accounts, electrifies her doorknobs, and even electronically fires her staff from a tiny basement halfway across the country. I loved the way this was written and highly recommend it. It was terrifying, but only in the most excellent way all readers understand. Way to go, Koontzy.

A good story, told from the unusual perspective of the computer. The narative is as though the AI is on trial and trying desperatly to justify its actions. The book swops between its commentary and the sense of events happening in real time.

Another example of Koontz versatility as a writer and a damn good read, not his best work but still worth a look.

Boy, did Winona Ryder dodge a bullet! :-)

A good, quick read about a crazy Artificial Intelligence entity that takes over a house and terrorizes its female occupant, Ms. Susan Harris. The A.I. even wants to reproduce with Susan! It's a crazy idea, but a good story and I'm glad I read it! And I'm glad the A.I. never got to Ms. Ryder...