THE TOUCH: A Review

After a dozen years of practicing medicine as a family physician, Dr. Alan Bulmer discovers one day that he can cure any illness with the mere touch of his hand. At first his scientific nature refuses to accept what is happening to him, but there is no rational explanation to be found. So Alan gives himself over to this mysterious power, reveling in the ability to cure the incurable, to give hope to the hopeless—for one hour each day. And Bulmer's life slowly goes to hell, for as he discovers, the "touch" exacts a price for each use form the user.

As always in a Wilson novel, the story pace is quick and the characterizations are deftly and often cleverly established. The Touch is part of The Adversary Cycle (Reborn, Reprisal, The Touch & Nightworld) which itself is a part of Wilson's larger body of work, including the amazing Repairman Jack series. The two story arcs of each series will culminate in new version (totally re-written, according to Wilson) of Nightworld.

Wilson, a practicing physician, has written several medical thrillers, but The Touch is a smooth blend of paranormal and medical. The horrific aspects of the story are not the mysterious paranormal power of the "touch", but the slow, creeping way in which the power takes its it toll on Dr. Bulmer. For more info of the how and why these 20 year old novels are being re-written and republished, go to Wilson's website and let him explain.

BIBLIO SAYS: Recommended.

Companion Read: The Select by F. Paul Wilson.