Door Number Three

by Patrick O'Leary

Book Overview

Drawing comparisons with the late Philip K. Dick and the early works of Kurt Vonnegut, O'Leary's "voice is fresh and funny" (New York Times Book Review) and promises an exciting future in the field. Psychotherapist John Donnelly's beautiful patient, Laura, claims to be an alien who's been left on Earth for one year. If she can convince one person--and she has chosen John--that she is telling the truth, she can stay when the others come back for her...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312862873
• ISBN13: 9780312862879
• Release Date: November 1996
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Sci-fi that delves into personal relationships

O'Leary uses this story, involving aliens, Feds, and time-travel as a framework to explore interpersonal relationships and how we are strangely tied to our particular perception of time and unknowingly shaped by psychological forces that we're unaware of. The story is actually two stories in one; the first being a psychologist dealing with a patient who claims to be an alien, and the second being the psychologist having to confront messy family issues in an attempt to figure out why he is the way he is. Overall, the writing is excellent and the story well-told and engaging. If you're the type that likes to ponder things this book is a great springboard to get you to poke around a bit in your own psyche to figure out what forces have shaped your own personality and perceptions.

Original, Suspenseful, AND Humorous

A neurotic psychotherapist and his patient who claims she was abducted by aliens, a time machine, a Mad-Hatter-like inventor who hides out in a Catholic church rectory, a homicidal police detective who gets religion, deadly femme fatales addicted to sugar, an endearing pet bird with genetically engineered super-intelligence. These are some fo the elements of this stunning novel, which is as imaginative as Neil Gaiman's "Nevermore." By turns hilarious and suspenseful, with a surreal sense of humor reminiscent of Douglas Adams ("The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy"), this book is a wild coaster ride, full of surprises and revelations. But it is not purely plot driven. The characters are engaging, original, and come to life. If you're tired of the same old, same old, try this book!

Intelligent humor

O'Leary is one of the best prose artists in the genre. His dry wit, insight, and lush use of words makes for more than just an escapist read.

One word: WOW!!

If you have ANY interest in SF you HAVE to read this!! On the very first page you readI FELL IN LOVE WITH AN ALIEN, DISCOVER THE SECRET TO FORGOTTON DREAMS, SAVED THE EARTH FROM WORLD WAR III, AND KILLED MYSELFWhen i read that i knew this book would be worth the money and i was right, Read it now, and be prepared to enjoy is the only advice i can give

Fantastic!

Being a science-fiction buff, I expected to enjoy this book no matter what. But I was really blown away by the richness of the language and the complexity of the plot. It is reminiscent of Slaughterhouse-5, yet very unique in its approach. This book is very wonderful, and I recommend it to anyone who is even slightly interested in science fiction.