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Fiction. Horror. HTML:Smart home devices provide unprecedented convenience, but one woman is about to discover the horrifying dangers of putting her trust in an artificially intelligent machine in this thriller that delves into the darkest fears of our digital age...Susan Harris lived in self-imposed seclusion, in a mansion featuring numerous automated systems controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Every comfort was provided. Her security was absolute. But now Susan's system has been breachedâ??from the inside. In the privacy of her own home, and against her will, she will experience an inconceivable act of terror and become the object of the ultimate computer's consuming obsession: to cross the line between man and machine and learn everything there is know about the flesh… (more)
User reviews
It provides dark, paranoia-inducing sci-fi elements
I'm not a fan of Koontz's more recent material, but for it's short length, this is an excellent and totally worthwhile read.
Today it is the story of a computer that takes control of a house. In the house lives a woman who is dealing with her demons - principally a divorce from a controlling, abusive
The 1997 revisions to this story mention Microsoft and features of computers that may have been unthought of in 1973. I've not read the 1973 version so I'm not certain how it read. In any case, this is relatively quick read and does not feel too dated - a fact that surprised me.
Overall I would say that it is worth a read, but probably not a book I would look to read again.
In 1977 this was made into a movie starring Julie Christie - one I've never seen. It is still available in-store.
The ending was ridiculous, and
The best thing I can say about this was that it was a quick read.
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
If you're a Dean Koontz fan, another great read... if you haven't made up your mind about his works... let this one help!
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.
Another example of Koontz versatility as a writer and a