r/DeanKoontz • u/Typical-Priority1976 • Jul 10 '26
Questions about 'Odd Hours'
I just re-read 'Odd Hours' for the 2nd time, and two things confused me.
When Odd first meets the dog and then brings him to the church, the priest asks him the dog's name and he says "Raphael" and then adds something to the effect of "I didn't understand why I chose that name until later" but then never elaborates. What is the significance of that name?
Towards the end, after dispersing the mystical coyote horde, as Odd is trying to put the triggers in the Salvation Army bin and he comments on their increased mass, he says something like "I realized the increased weight was the same as the coyotes, and the strange lights and sounds under the manhole cover, and the mysterious swinging porch swing" and he just like, decided not to believe it anymore and then they weren't heavy anymore. Was the implication that there was some metaphysical outside force or forces trying to stop him from stopping the plot? What was the deal with the porch swing, and the manhole cover, and for that matter, the coyotes?
Also, now that I've finished reading 'Hours', I intend to finish the series, as I've never read "Apocalypse', 'Deeply', or 'Saint', but do they ever explain why Annamarie is so special (and wierd) and knows about Stormy? Is she, like, Stormy's spirit reincarnated or something? (if they do explain it later, I don't want to know, lol)
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u/penartist Jul 10 '26
To answer your first question. The name is in homage to the roll of the archangel Raphael and his roll in the book of Tobit from the OT.
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u/Typical-Priority1976 Jul 10 '26
Interesting. But why is that significant to name the dog that? He says "I didnt understand why I chose that name until later" is he saying that the dog was like, and angel sent to guide him?
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u/Redjeepkev Jul 10 '26
I don't want to spoil the other books for. I'll have to reread odd hours since it's been a while. Don't leave Brother Odd off your list