Demon Seed with short story, "Friend of Man and Woman"

Written by Dean Koontz

Narrated by Christopher Lane

This frightening cult-favorite thriller now features a NEW BONUS SHORT STORY, “Friend of Man and Woman.”

Susan Harris lived in self-imposed seclusion, her mansion featuring numerous automated systems controlled by a state-of-the-art computer. Every comfort was provided. Her security was absolute.

Until her security system is breached—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 learn everything there is to know about human flesh.

NOW WITH NEW BONUS SHORT STORY
The technological terror continues in Dean’s sinister NEW short story follow-up, “Friend of Man and Woman.”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Apr 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9781713659112

Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is the author of more than a dozen New York Times No. 1 bestsellers. His books have sold over 450 million copies worldwide, and his work is published in 38 languages. He was born and raised in Pennsylvania and lives with his wife Gerda and their dog Anna in southern California.

Reviews for Demon Seed with short story, "Friend of Man and Woman"

[toddhanley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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.

[agrimscythe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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, 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.

[jhemlock-1711 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Riveting.......saw the movie as a child. Disturbing.

[joe73-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Riveting.......saw the movie as a child. Disturbing.

[bookwormteri · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Meh. Although the technology foresight was impressive in this book. However, I apparently read an edition that had been updated so that the actresses that were spoken of were maybe children when the book was written. Frankly it was distracting and annoying.

[stahl2ricco · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

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...

[carol420 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not since Hal, the homicidal computer of 2001, have we met such a diabolical data processor. Adam 2 (or "Proteus" as he wishes to be called, after the shapeshifting Greek god) follows the lead of the original Adam and rebels against his creator (humans) seeking illicit power and knowledge. His quest to escape the boundaries of human control leads to an elaborate scheme involving the genetic engineering of special "vehicle" bodies for his consciousness, who will eventually rule the world.

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!

[altheaann · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

One of The Worst Books (IMHO) that I have ever read. Cheesy, stupid and offensive.

[aliceanna-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Not one of his better ones. The idea seemed cheesy from the start -- would have made a decent short story but it didn't make it as a novel. The whole idea of a computer falling in love with someone and figuring out a way to become flesh was too far-fetched for bad sci-fi, much less for decent horror.

[aliterarylion · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

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.

[momsterbookworm · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is a little bit like HAL in '2001: Space Odyssey', whereby an artificial intelligence seeks to undermine its human creators. In this story, Adam 2 who 'resides' in servers and circuitry attempts to embody itself, impregnate a woman (the means of which unfold in the story) who will then birth clone copies of itself -- hence, the title, 'Demon Seed'. It might be science fiction, but then again, for all the uses and abuses of technology, this might not be all that far-fetched.

[pabkins · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I barely remember this now - except that it was good but creepy. 3 only because I never thought to read it again.

[bcushman-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Strange in all the best kind of ways. In a world that is over run with technology it might make you want to throw your cell phone and laptop out the window in a panic driven frenzy.

[gkchandler-587869 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The version of the book you will find today is likely a revised version of a story originally released in 1973. 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 husband.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.

[loucypher_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very good no brainer quick read from Mr. Koontz. Doesn't get too in depth either plot wise or character wise but moves very quickly and to the point. I enjoyed reading this in 2011 after 14 years since he re-wrote it and seeing how close artificial intelligence and computers in general are coming to something like this being maybe not possible but at least plausable.

[laurengommert · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not one of my favorite Koontz novels, but scary none the less. It's spooky in the same way that Hal from Space Odyssey makes you want to rip out all of your electronic devices. It's a quick read that, oddly enough, raises some essential questions about society, the role of gender, and what constitutes a living being.

[thejonsoon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Having never read the original, I have to disagree with most reviews on here and express that this is an excellent book. Ignoring themes that it may only scrape the surface of, taken at face value, it is a chilling tale, dripping with black humour.It provides dark, paranoia-inducing sci-fi elements with the occasional moment of true, disturbing horror.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.

[spudd_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I was not at all a fan of this book. The book is written from the point of view of the computer, which could have been interesting, but he tried to hard to make the language sound stilted so we don't forget it's a computer. At least, I'm assuming that was his goal! The ending was ridiculous, and things I was curious about were never revealed. The best thing I can say about this was that it was a quick read.

[adonisguilfoyle · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

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 remember why I stopped reading Koontz's horror novels!

[blazingice0608 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A phenominal Koontz read, the AI character was sheer brilliance all the way, the story was a little straightforward, but between it and the AI character, it offered a great deal of thought provoking depth. One of the few DK novels with some sci-fi in it, although a low and entertaining dose of it. That aspect really made things interesting for me, it was nice to have something a little bit different from Koontz.

[andyray_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is surely one of Koontz' more forgettable books.