Stephen King Fans discussion

Discuss! Mark all spoilers. :D

This is the first Joe Hill book I have read, and so far it is excellent.

First Joe Hill book for me as well. On page 40 and so far so good.

Aw yes, Heart-Shaped Box... I remember reading this one very well.:)

I started a few days before Aug 1 so I am about 88% done with this book already. This is my second time reading his work. I also read Throttle. I will hold off on discussion for now since I want to give others time to get farther first.

You can go ahead and discuss, Catherine, just mark your spoilers.

I'm not doing any re-reads this year, so that rules this one out, which stinks. I really enjoyed this book, but it's a good thing that I'm a Nine Inch Nails fan, I'll just say that. :P

Great book choice. Read this book in January and loved it. Looking forward to see what the group has to say about it.

I read this after his Ghosts story collection, and remembere thinking, this kid is following Dad's bloody footprints pretty well! Although I did come away with some reservations in the end. I wonder if anyone will notice the same as the discussion progresses.

Micah wrote: "Great book choice. Read this book in January and loved it. Looking forward to see what the group has to say about it."

I'm curious as to what other readers will have to say about it, too.:)

I thought this book was excellent for the first three quarters, but was not the biggest fan of the ending. However, I did enjoy the last chapter

Just opening the book now, look forward to reading along.

Just finished it and really enjoyed it. This was my first Joe Hill book and it felt very different from anything I have read before which is refreshing. There was so much sadness in it but the journey towards personal triumph and discovery was interesting. I would suggest this to friends.

Just finished chapter 6 and am thoroughly spooked...

(view spoiler)[ You want sympathy, go fuck James Taylor. (hide spoiler)] great line...

So far, the only characters I like are the two Doggies. Old Man fading rock star keeping a revolving door of State Named twenty-something goth girlies in his scary man-house is nasty! But I love reading the story so far and yes it has creeped me out especially at night, thank goodness I keep that 3 iron under my bed and own a fleet of guard cats ;)

Just finished this book and I really enjoyed it a lot. There were parts in this book that had me pretty creeped out.

Glad that you all seem to be enjoying this one. I loved it and think that it's the creepiest novel that I've read in quite some time.

I didn't find it creepy at all, which I was hoping for. But, I still enjoyed it a lot, and I love Joe's writing style, so I can't complain TOO much.

I just got it in the mail yesterday. I have a couple to read before I start on it. I'm curious to see how everyone else likes it.

I'm just going to copy/paste my review:


This was an okay book, but it was not as good as Hill's other book Horns. I felt instantly intrigued with this narrative, but it soon wore thin. Events seemed too repetitious until I no longer felt anything at all when the ghost appeared. The backstory was very interesting though and I'm still glad that I read this. Hill is a great writer, and he has certainly improved since this first novel.

This is the second book by Hill I have tried and I liked Horns, but I am not far enough in to judge this yet. I will say that I am glad Becky didn't feel creeped out. I'm a quarter of the way through and don't find it scary or creepy. I will say this, it has held my attention very well and I look forward to what is coming.

This book has me interested in checking out what else he's written. This is my first taste of Hill. So far so good.

Patrice wrote: "This book has me interested in checking out what else he's written. This is my first taste of Hill. So far so good."

I thought that both Horns and 20th Century Ghosts were very good. Not quite as sold on Locke and Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft but then again I don't read that many graphic novels.

Stefan wrote: "Patrice wrote: "This book has me interested in checking out what else he's written. This is my first taste of Hill. So far so good."

I thought that both Horns and 20th Century Ghosts were very goo..."

I've read a few reviews of Horns and I will definitely be checking it out. I've only read a couple graphic novels so I'm not sure about getting to Locke and Key anytime soon but I'll keep it on my list of things to check out.

I've read this book twice and found parts of it to be creepy, especially the early descriptions of the ghost. Overall, I think it is an entertaining ride. I do agree with others that the end is a bit weak. Horns is a better book, IMO, but I think that comes with Hill growing as a writer as he writes and publishes more stuff.

I'm about 1/4 of the way into the story, the old man's ghost has just appeared and things are getting crazy for Jude and Georgia. I rather like both of them. Maybe it's because I used to be one of those goth girls, and I was totally willing to throw myself at a rock star. Not that I ever met one, but if I would've, I prolly woulda jumped on it lol. Georgia sorta reminds me of a more extreme version of my old self. Jude doesn't bother me either, sure he's a dick, but he's got some decent bits to him sometimes. I like him. I like the dogs too. Then again, this is my second time reading it, I first read it back in '07 I think. So I've got a vague memory of what's going on. But still the ghost kinda freaks me out. I had to quit reading when the kids went to bed because I didn't wanna be alone. The descriptions of this creepy old dude just *shudder!* I don't even want to think about him right now. :O

Kit★ wrote: "I'm about 1/4 of the way into the story, the old man's ghost has just appeared and things are getting crazy for Jude and Georgia. I rather like both of them. Maybe it's because I used to be one of ..."

I really liked the characters of Georgia and Jude, too. Especially the former. She's awesome.

Patrice wrote: "This book has me interested in checking out what else he's written. This is my first taste of Hill. So far so good."

Hi, Patrice-

I've yet to read Horns yet, but the general consensus seems to be that it's even better than Heart-Shaped Box.

I admit I picked this up because Joe is Stephen King's son but was pleasantly surprised with a very good story. However I've become more of a fan of his work on the Locke and Key comics which I consider some of the best writing in modern comics.

Finished today. Man! I was left grinning, in a good mood. It was a fun ride, and I liked the end a lot. I totally can't wait to read more stuff by Hill, I hope he gets to publish as many as SK has, I'll read 'em all... :D

Isn't Joe Hill the pen name of King's son? I seem to remember reading something along that line.

Oops, missed Luis's post. I bought Never Look Away thinking that was this month's read. Another blonde moment. Sigh.

Finished the book a few days ago. Not my cup of tea. I generally like ghost stories, but I like them scary, or at least spooky or morbid. This one was neither. The writing wasn't so good either. I found it to be shallow, one-dimensional and full of small, yet annoying repetitions. Still, it's a first novel, and I think I'll give Hill one more chance by reading 'Horns'.

Kit★ wrote: "Finished today. Man! I was left grinning, in a good mood. It was a fun ride, and I liked the end a lot. I totally can't wait to read more stuff by Hill, I hope he gets to publish as many as SK has,..."

Hi, Kit!

Have you read any of Hill's other work?

Yep, read Horns and 20th Century Ghosts once each, but they'll get re-read before long I'm sure :D

Kit★ wrote: "Yep, read Horns and 20th Century Ghosts once each, but they'll get re-read before long I'm sure :D"

And you know he has a new novel coming out soon, don't you?

I agree that Horns was a great read, I'm finished with Heart-Shaped Box and enjoyed just as much, I thought the ending was appropriate and was fitting. I will be getting 20th Century Ghosts and reading very soon. I am definitely hooked. NOS48U also looks like an awesome read. I have currently read The Cape a graphic novel based on his short story of the same name, and also very much enjoyed.

I found the first appearances of the ghost creepy, but at some point about halfway through it stopped having that effect. I am not sure why, but it wasn't a problem to my enjoying the story. Scare factor is not a crucial element for me. I am more about the story and getting into the characters.

I found I didn't like Marybeth at first but she grew on me. I also was a little creeped out by the 54 year old man and the 20 something groupies, but I guess it could be realistic? The ending...maybe not so much.

Overall a good read that I would recommend, but I am enjoying Horns even more as some others have pointed out.

Dustin wrote: "And you know he has a new novel coming out soon, don't you?"

Oh yea, I'll be getting it as soon as it's out!

Kit★ wrote: "Dustin wrote: "And you know he has a new novel coming out soon, don't you?"

Oh yea, I'll be getting it as soon as it's out!"

Awesome!

I just finished it today and must say I wasn't impressed. Having read Horns first this was not as good. I also had a very hard time not compairing him to his Dad Stephen King. He is no King, and that is how it should be. I just wasn't impressed, and I really wasn't a fan of any of the characters like others have said as well.

I'm glad I read it but I don't think it will ever be a re-read for me.

Finished it last night and I enjoyed it. Like most who've said they found the ghost creepy at first but later not so much, I gotta agree and I think I know why. (view spoiler)[He talked to much. In the beginning, sitting in the chair with the razor on a chain and black scribbles over his eyes. Effective, later driving the truck around and mouthing off constantly it took the scare outta him. But I think Mr. Hill did this on purpose. I think he wanted Craddock to seem larger than life but to take that largeness out of him so that we could see the small minded child molesting prick that he was. (hide spoiler)] I loved the character of Jude, he reminds me of a friend of mine once he gets to be about 54 (just all laid back and gruff), minus the 21yr old goth lol. I liked Georgia/Marybeth too. And I wasn't disappointed in the ending. It seemed appropriate to me. The writing was well done. I didn't have the problem with separating him from his dad. I mean the comparison was there, but it's there with just about everyone I read because in my opinion King's the best. But I can separate out of respect to the writer. All in all, I'm a fan and I'm looking forward to reading more of Mr. Hill.

Kit★ wrote: "Dustin wrote: "And you know he has a new novel coming out soon, don't you?"

Oh yea, I'll be getting it as soon as it's out!"

Me too. This one sounds interesting.

Brent wrote: "Finished it last night and I enjoyed it. Like most who've said they found the ghost creepy at first but later not so much, I gotta agree and I think I know why. [spoilers removed] I loved the c..."

I think you made a good observation on why he lost his creepiness. I think too that maybe it's that we are more creeped out by what he was like alive than dead.

Brent wrote: "Finished it last night and I enjoyed it. Like most who've said they found the ghost creepy at first but later not so much, I gotta agree and I think I know why. [spoilers removed] I loved the c..."

I like your way of seeing it, and would have to agree.

Catherine wrote: "Brent wrote: "Finished it last night and I enjoyed it. Like most who've said they found the ghost creepy at first but later not so much, I gotta agree and I think I know why. [spoilers removed] ..."

Maybe that was the point. Yea, he's creepy as a ghost but look how creepy he was when he was alive. Kinda takes the sting outta him. (view spoiler)[And that's why I like the fact that Anna was the one who took him out. No one deserved to stop him more the her!! (hide spoiler)]

In regards to your spoiler Brent, I couldn't agree more!

I really wanted to like this book. I have read all of the Locke&Key series and enjoyed his writing style in that very much. But I got over halfway through H.S.B this monthbut finally had to give up. Halfway through I realized I didn't like any of the characters and I didn't really care what happened to them. Many of you have mentioned you have liked his later works better. I am willing to give Hill another chance, but this book was not for me.

I am half way through this book and so far I am enjoying it. Its not the best of the best, but its not the worse. In fact, I find the book a little creepy and scary. A ghost that follows you wherever you go. Feels like one of those re made Japanese movies like the Ring or the Grudge.

I am glad that I didn't know Hill was King's son while I was reading the book. I definitely would have been overly comparing the writing styles the entire time if I had. Unlike some of the people earlier in this discussion, I enjoyed the ending of the book and thought it to be more entwined in the story compared to many of King's novels.

Only started reading this a few hours ago and can't wait to pick it up again this evening. Certainly seems to be my type of stuff.

I just got this, so I'm joining a bit late. Can't wait to read it. My first book of his.