HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
10-08-09 | 02:55 PM
#31
Moderator
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Joe Hill has a new novel due Feb 9, 2010.
I enjoyed Heart-Shaped box (though it had its flaws). Looking forward to the follow-up.
About the Book:
Ignatius Martin Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke the next morning with a headache, put his hands to his temples and felt something unfamiliar, a pair of knobby, pointed protuberances. He was so ill—wet-eyed and weak—he didn’t think anything of it at first, was too hung-over for thinking or worry. But when he was swaying over the toilet, he glanced at himself in the mirror above the sink and saw he had grown horns while he slept.
The second son of a renowned musician and doting mother, Ig Perrish has a privileged life and expectations of a bright future with his childhood sweetheart, Merrin Williams. But life takes an unexpected dark turn when Merrin is brutally killed and suspicion falls hard on Ig.
A year passes, but Ig is nowhere near over his grief or his rage . . . feelings that come to a head in a lost evening of alcohol and hate. When he wakes the next morning he discovers that he has undergone a surreal transformation, and is in possession of an incredible power. It isn’t long before he turns his terrible new abilities towards vengeance. Unfortunately Ig is about to learn that when it comes to revenge, the devil is in the details.
About the Author:
Joe Hill is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Heart-Shaped Box, the award-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts, and a critically acclaimed comic book series, Locke & Key.
Ignatius Martin Perrish spent the night drunk and doing terrible things. He woke the next morning with a headache, put his hands to his temples and felt something unfamiliar, a pair of knobby, pointed protuberances. He was so ill—wet-eyed and weak—he didn’t think anything of it at first, was too hung-over for thinking or worry. But when he was swaying over the toilet, he glanced at himself in the mirror above the sink and saw he had grown horns while he slept.
The second son of a renowned musician and doting mother, Ig Perrish has a privileged life and expectations of a bright future with his childhood sweetheart, Merrin Williams. But life takes an unexpected dark turn when Merrin is brutally killed and suspicion falls hard on Ig.
A year passes, but Ig is nowhere near over his grief or his rage . . . feelings that come to a head in a lost evening of alcohol and hate. When he wakes the next morning he discovers that he has undergone a surreal transformation, and is in possession of an incredible power. It isn’t long before he turns his terrible new abilities towards vengeance. Unfortunately Ig is about to learn that when it comes to revenge, the devil is in the details.
About the Author:
Joe Hill is the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Heart-Shaped Box, the award-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts, and a critically acclaimed comic book series, Locke & Key.
01-19-10 | 04:52 PM
#34
Moderator
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
01-19-10 | 06:55 PM
#35
DVD Talk Limited Edition
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Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
I totally agree. I'm not writing Hill off yet, I will definitely check out his new book and I still need to read Locke & Key. HSB was really just a case IMO of his name creating a fandom regardless of the content of the work was, as the book really wasn't that good or original.
01-25-10 | 07:20 PM
#36
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Seen 20th Century Ghosts in the discount shelf at B&N and almost picked it up several times. Think I might next time I'm there.
As far as his name goes, it actually is his name, he's just dropping the last name. Growing up reading Stephen King books, I remember routinely seeing them dedicated to his kids, one of whom was Joe Hill King.
I have to say, it is odd that he's writing horror fiction. He may be good, but what are the odds that if his dad wasn't Stephen King that he'd be doing this? Would sort of be like if Sofia Coppola, instead of doing Lost in Translation, was busy directing mafia family epics. Would just feel like a cashing-in on dad's name.
As far as his name goes, it actually is his name, he's just dropping the last name. Growing up reading Stephen King books, I remember routinely seeing them dedicated to his kids, one of whom was Joe Hill King.
I have to say, it is odd that he's writing horror fiction. He may be good, but what are the odds that if his dad wasn't Stephen King that he'd be doing this? Would sort of be like if Sofia Coppola, instead of doing Lost in Translation, was busy directing mafia family epics. Would just feel like a cashing-in on dad's name.
01-28-10 | 09:23 AM
#37
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Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
In Joe's defense, he sold the book under the alias, without William Morrow knowing who he was.
I thought Heart-Shaped Box was very good for a first novel. It's not a great book by any means, but expecting a writer's first novel to be great is expecting a lot. My main negative critique (if I recall correctly) is that it takes a long time for the plot to get moving. But once it does, it's an entertaining read.
I thought Heart-Shaped Box was very good for a first novel. It's not a great book by any means, but expecting a writer's first novel to be great is expecting a lot. My main negative critique (if I recall correctly) is that it takes a long time for the plot to get moving. But once it does, it's an entertaining read.
01-28-10 | 12:36 PM
#38
DVD Talk Hero
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
I enjoyed Heart Shaped Box; it wasn't great literature by any means, but it was fun, quick, down and dirty little old-school horror novel. One of my favorite kinds of guilty pleasures.
Not sure what to make of Horns, though. From the description, it could be Hill's attempt at magic realism -- which I think might be tough for him to pull off at this point in his career -- or another little guilty pleasure like Heart Shaped Box.
"Ignatius Martin Perrish" - cute little joke in that name.
Not sure what to make of Horns, though. From the description, it could be Hill's attempt at magic realism -- which I think might be tough for him to pull off at this point in his career -- or another little guilty pleasure like Heart Shaped Box.
"Ignatius Martin Perrish" - cute little joke in that name.
02-04-10 | 09:51 PM
#39
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Heart Shaped Box was decent. I liked 20th Century Ghosts better. "My Father's Mask" is one of the creepiest stories I have ever read. I've probably read it 5 or 6 times and still get goosebumps by the ending.
02-27-10 | 04:55 PM
#40
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Just finished Horns, which was the first JH story I've read.
I came away underwhelmed, and could see the ending coming from a mile off, but for some reason still couldn't put the book down.
Reminds me of his dad's writings in the past several years (since he "retired").
Anyone else read Horns yet?
I came away underwhelmed, and could see the ending coming from a mile off, but for some reason still couldn't put the book down.
Reminds me of his dad's writings in the past several years (since he "retired").
Anyone else read Horns yet?
03-08-10 | 03:12 PM
#41
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Just finished Horns, which was the first JH story I've read.
I came away underwhelmed, and could see the ending coming from a mile off, but for some reason still couldn't put the book down.
Reminds me of his dad's writings in the past several years (since he "retired").
Anyone else read Horns yet?
I came away underwhelmed, and could see the ending coming from a mile off, but for some reason still couldn't put the book down.
Reminds me of his dad's writings in the past several years (since he "retired").
Anyone else read Horns yet?
03-08-10 | 10:45 PM
#42
DVD Talk Legend
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Spoiler:
I also have to wonder why no one ever
Spoiler:
03-14-10 | 10:35 PM
#43
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Re: HEART-SHAPED BOX by Joe Hill (Stephen King's boy!)
Agreed with everything you said. I will say that I did find the Ig/Merrin love story to be unusually affecting...almost heartbreaking. I really cared about those two characters and their relationship. It's a shame the book ended up being so flawed.
