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Daniel Keyes
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The Touch Kindle Edition

by Daniel Keyes (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 37 ratings
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The ultimate 'what if' novel, from the million-copy-bestselling author of FLOWERS FOR ALGERNON: 'A masterpiece of poignant brilliance ... heartbreaking' Guardian

Karen and Barney Stark should never have married. Childless, uncomfortable and incompatible, their marriage has not been a success, and the lack of a child only makes the tension between them worse. And living their lives to the beat of a fertility clock only adds to the increasingly volatile atmosphere.

When an incident at Barney's workplace causes them both to be unknowingly contaminated with radioactive dust, they also become pariahs - in their neighbourhood and with their families. But things are only going to get worse. Karen discovers she is pregnant and as their closest friends become frightened enemies, the dream of becoming parents turns into a nightmare...

Previous page
  1. Print length
    254 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Gateway
  5. Publication date
    November 30, 2017
  6. File size
    875 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"A chilling Touch. One that you ll remember." -- Kirkus

". . .builds to its exciting climax from the very beginning. . . We think he has done an excellent job." -- Indianapolis Star

". . . worthy attempt to probe the effect of suffering on the human condition. . ..The book merits purchase for fiction shelves." -- Library Journal

". . .a very human book with the spilling of emotions becoming more important than the radioactive accident." -- Herald Advertiser

"Gripping, well-plotted book. . . a macabre and unusually provocative idea for a novel and he exploits it with narrative skill." -- Washington Star

About the Author

Daniel Keyes, best known for his novel Flowers for Algernon and for his nonfiction book The Minds of Billy Milligan, has been a teacher of writing in high schools and a professor of literature and creative writing in universities for more than thirty years.

Keyes, emeritus professor of Ohio University, resides with his wife in South Florida. They have two adult daughters.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0763MHY8M
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gateway (November 30, 2017)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 30, 2017
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 875 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 37 ratings

About the author

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Daniel Keyes

Daniel Keyes

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Daniel Keyes (1927 - 2014) was born in Brooklyn, New York, and received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from Brooklyn College. He was the author of eight books, including the classic Flowers for Algernon, first published in 1966, which would go on to sell more than five million copies and inspire the film Charly. He also worked as a merchant seaman, fiction editor, high school teacher, and university professor, and won the Hugo and Nebula awards for his work.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
37 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rob
5.0 out of 5 stars The Touch--touched me.
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2012
Verified Purchase
Okay, twenty words (17 to go). I read this novel in the late 60's and it touched me. I had borrowed it from my local library and had to return it. I like my books, I keep my books.
Recently, after some 40 some odd years, the novel seeped into my thoughts wanting to be reread. Well, I found it on Amazon (it's out of print as of this writing) and purchased it.
I remember it being a great story, and told fellow readers to absorb the story.

I haven't read it as yet. It's waiting for me--as soon I get through the novel I am reading now, which by the way is like walking through mud! Yeah, it's bad, but I never leave a book undone.

That's it. Thanks for your time.
Read a book-feel the pages.
4 people found this helpful
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tspia
3.0 out of 5 stars Great title
Reviewed in the United States on July 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
Always loved Flowers for Algernon and wanted to see if lightning could strike twice. He tells a great story. It's possible that everyone is affected by one sense / talent more than others, and this may be treasured by those who understand through touching.more than I do.
One person found this helpful
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Tam
4.0 out of 5 stars The Touch
Reviewed in the United States on August 30, 2010
Verified Purchase
The Touch is about a man who becomes contaminated by radioactive dust from his job. The book does a good job in explaining the effect the radiocativity have on their lives. The reason why I gave the book 4 stars was because I felt Barney's relationship with Karen's sister does not fit anywhere in the book. The ending is touching.
2 people found this helpful
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Irene
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2012
I've bought this book as a present for my friend, because she's keen on the books of Keyes, but in Russia only two are translated. She was in ecstasies! :)
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Yvonne Friese
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good!
Reviewed in Germany on September 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
The touch might not be as good as "Flowers for algernon", which is one of the best SF short stories ever, but it's very touching (no Pun intended) and exciting.

The two main characters are believable and the horror is realistic.
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L&H
4.0 out of 5 stars 4.5 stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2017
Verified Purchase
An excellent story about a couple that gets radioactively contaminated. Keyes' strength is to describe people's thoughts and feelings, to me a bit reminiscent of Tolstoi (but mercifully shorter). The story is flawlessly executed and rich in content. Many of its elements seem to have a factual basis (Keyes usually does a lot of research and planning before putting down a story). The mood is dark, there is very little relief in the couple's ordeal (e. g. the sister that comes to help only brings her own share of trouble). To me the book is at least as good as "Flowers for Algernon" and deserves to be much better known.
One person found this helpful
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Wasserratte
5.0 out of 5 stars Super!
Reviewed in Germany on February 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
Eines der besten Bücher, die ich je gelesen habe. Bin froh, es überhaupt noch bekommen zu haben. Ein Muss für alle Daniel Keyes Fans.
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