Discussion: Abraham's Boys by Joe Hill

[Spideyman]

Starting the thread for GNTLGNT and copying his post to the discussion thread.........

GNTLGNT
The idiot is IN

4 minutes ago
New #46
....I will do the best I can to weigh in on everyone's posts as I'm the "host" for this week, but will be in bed shortly after the discussion opens due to my early work schedule....then with the Board closing at 4 tomorrow? I don't leave work until after 2....I'll do my best......here's my mumblings......this is quite the unique take on the vampire mythos....because Joe's VanHelsing is painted as a fanatical killer and child abuser, rather than the heroic stylings we've come to accept....my big question here is-who truly IS the monster???......the undead that are only tangentially referred to, VanHelsing humself or Max?......stripped of all the "vampire hunter" clothes, Abraham is nothing more than a serial killer and Max's leap of knowledge about his abusive father-causes his innocence to crash land.....this is a morality tale with no easy answers.......

 

[GNTLGNT]

Starting the thread for GNTLGNT and copying his post to the discussion thread.........

GNTLGNT
The idiot is IN

4 minutes ago
New #46
....I will do the best I can to weigh in on everyone's posts as I'm the "host" for this week, but will be in bed shortly after the discussion opens due to my early work schedule....then with the Board closing at 4 tomorrow? I don't leave work until after 2....I'll do my best......here's my mumblings......this is quite the unique take on the vampire mythos....because Joe's VanHelsing is painted as a fanatical killer and child abuser, rather than the heroic stylings we've come to accept....my big question here is-who truly IS the monster???......the undead that are only tangentially referred to, VanHelsing humself or Max?......stripped of all the "vampire hunter" clothes, Abraham is nothing more than a serial killer and Max's leap of knowledge about his abusive father-causes his innocence to crash land.....this is a morality tale with no easy answers.......

....thank you dear, you'd think I'd never been to this Board before......

 

[fljoe0]

Very interesting story about Abraham Van Helsing told from the perspective of his son, Max. When told from Max's perspective, we wonder was he a vampire hunter or just a serial killer?

 

[Spideyman]

The story is basically told from the viewpoint of Max, who does not believe in vampires. The term vampire only comes up in Abraham's dialogue. My take- since he beats his own children, and openly wants to kill Mrs Kutchen , the man has an issue. A big one.
End take for me, he is more serial killer than vampire hunter.

 

[Dana Jean]

Starting the thread for GNTLGNT and copying his post to the discussion thread.........

GNTLGNT
The idiot is IN

4 minutes ago
New #46
....I will do the best I can to weigh in on everyone's posts as I'm the "host" for this week, but will be in bed shortly after the discussion opens due to my early work schedule....then with the Board closing at 4 tomorrow? I don't leave work until after 2....I'll do my best......here's my mumblings......this is quite the unique take on the vampire mythos....because Joe's VanHelsing is painted as a fanatical killer and child abuser, rather than the heroic stylings we've come to accept....my big question here is-who truly IS the monster???......the undead that are only tangentially referred to, VanHelsing humself or Max?......stripped of all the "vampire hunter" clothes, Abraham is nothing more than a serial killer and Max's leap of knowledge about his abusive father-causes his innocence to crash land.....this is a morality tale with no easy answers.......

Well said.

Taking a well known literary character and giving us "the rest of the story," Joe reveals a satisfying reality show view of dysfunctional Casa de Van Helsing. Those poor kids!

But on the bright side, It must have been a proud proud day for dad-of-the-year when his son enthusiastically embraced his hobby and so deftly used the weapons and techniques.

Like Scott said, Max identified the monster and did what was necessary.

The secret photo behind the beautiful Mina was the victim Mina, right? At least that's what I think. Max saw his mother murdered and laid out like a dissected frog. Yikes, tipping point anyone?

For Van Helsing to do the job he had done so well for years, he would've had to separate his feelings for friends, family and neighbors who came down with the blood disorder, from the "undead" (more like delirious, unconscious or comatose due to disease) friends, family and neighbors he had to dispatch. So, he would have been very detached and dispassionate about that sick Mina. Because, in his mind, it wasn't her.

Sure, there was probably a vampire or two in that 50+ people he killed. Given his encounter with Drac and all. I guess his motto was "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one" so an occasional wrongful death might happen. Although he doesn't feel that way.

He died just like those he claimed were monsters --with screams, cursing, cries. Vampire!!!!!

 

[GNTLGNT]

Well said.

Taking a well known literary character and giving us "the rest of the story," Joe reveals a satisfying reality show view of dysfunctional Casa de Van Helsing. Those poor kids!

But on the bright side, It must have been a proud proud day for dad-of-the-year when his son enthusiastically embraced his hobby and so deftly used the weapons and techniques.

Like Scott said, Max identified the monster and did what was necessary.

The secret photo behind the beautiful Mina was the victim Mina, right? At least that's what I think. Max saw his mother murdered and laid out like a dissected frog. Yikes, tipping point anyone?

For Van Helsing to do the job he had done so well for years, he would've had to separate his feelings for friends, family and neighbors who came down with the blood disorder from the "undead" (more like delirious, unconscious or comatose due to disease) friends, family and neighbors he had to dispatch. So, he would have been very detached and dispassionate about that sick Mina. Because, in his mind, it wasn't her.

Sure, there was probably a vampire or two in that 50+ people he killed. Given his encounter with Drac and all. I guess his motto was "the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one" so an occasional wrongful death might happen. Although he doesn't feel that way.

He died just like those he claimed were monsters --with screams, cursing, cries. Vampire!!!!!

....eloquent and amusing...you really do have a gift Deej.....

 

[GNTLGNT]

....I think we agree that dear old dad is a deluded mass murderer that robbed his children of their maternal nourishment....Max may have been “slow” but his revenge was most swift....

 

[Tery]

I think the point has been gleaned by all of us: who is the REAL monster? Do vampires really exist or is it the dysfunction of a man who had a run-in with one and thereafter saw them everywhere? Is Max doing the right thing? He was protecting his brother, after all.

I loved that Joe took a character out of classic fiction and ran with it. Good, fast-moving and creepy as heII.

 

[do1you9love?]

I just finished this story a few minutes ago for the first time. I really enjoy how Joe can so quickly bring you into his tale and make you feel. A wonderful take on the classic vampire killer story!

 

[Neesy]

I really enjoyed this story. It was one of those short stories that kept me reading straight through, without any interruption. It flowed. Joe Hill really does have a gift. I felt bad for the poor little brother Rudy and felt that in the end, the sadistic father got what he deserved. Good for Max! Overall I'd have to say this is the best short story of Joe Hill's that I've read so far.

I was impressed with his style of writing. Thought it was even better than the 20th Century Ghost story we discussed previously.

 

[Spideyman]

Sidebar-----can we have a volunteer name a story for next Wednesday's group meeting? Our days here are short, but reading time is excellent with the extended weekends.

And thank you GNTLGNT for a very enjoyable pick of the week!!

 

[Tery]

I have one!

John Collier's Story: Thus I Refute Beelzy

 

[Dana Jean]

I have one!

John Collier's Story: Thus I Refute Beelzy

 

[Tery]

We uploaded that one!

 

[Spideyman]

I have one!

John Collier's Story: Thus I Refute Beelzy

Thank you.

 

[HollyGolightly]

I took the time last night to re-read this - and enjoyed it all over again. Joe Hill is fantastic! This re-telling of the story of the Van Helsing family is horrifying. I honestly prefer to believe in vampires than to look at the true horror of what people are truly capable of. But yes, we know who the monster is now. In my heart I've always felt that witch hunters, vampire hunters - they were just blood thirsty people who knew how to work a crowd into a frenzy. I think seeing his mom like that changed Max forever.

I also like stories that take a known work or fiction and create a back story or a new story - thank you Joe!

Dana Jean You have a gift for reviews. Have you ever thought of blogging? I'd love a DJ blog.

Y'all have a good weekend. I'm going to try and unplug. I need to time travel back to 1978 for a minute. Just watch some Flintstones and eat my Fruity Pebbles in front of the TV. Stay awake until the rainbow screen comes on. "Come Sail Away" was the first actual music video I ever saw - staying up late and watching scary movies in the 70s (Let's Scare Jessica to Death). That song always scares me a little because of how it came on right after Jessica that night. I watched from my hiding place under the stairs in our den - multi color shag carpet, paneling on the walls that could actually give you splinters, foil on the TV antenna. I wanna go back.

Here's a Christmas photo of that den - me in my groovy night gown - the rolled painted wall - just the one wall. Three were the splintery paneling. Tweed drapes. My weaving loom and rub a dub doll!

 

[Spideyman]

I took the time last night to re-read this - and enjoyed it all over again. Joe Hill is fantastic! This re-telling of the story of the Van Helsing family is horrifying. I honestly prefer to believe in vampires than to look at the true horror of what people are truly capable of. But yes, we know who the monster is now. In my heart I've always felt that witch hunters, vampire hunters - they were just blood thirsty people who knew how to work a crowd into a frenzy. I think seeing his mom like that changed Max forever.

I also like stories that take a known work or fiction and create a back story or a new story - thank you Joe!

Dana Jean You have a gift for reviews. Have you ever thought of blogging? I'd love a DJ blog.

Y'all have a good weekend. I'm going to try and unplug. I need to time travel back to 1978 for a minute. Just watch some Flintstones and eat my Fruity Pebbles in front of the TV. Stay awake until the rainbow screen comes on. "Come Sail Away" was the first actual music video I ever saw - staying up late and watching scary movies in the 70s (Let's Scare Jessica to Death). That song always scares me a little because of how it came on right after Jessica that night. I watched from my hiding place under the stairs in our den - multi color shag carpet, paneling on the walls that could actually give you splinters, foil on the TV antenna. I wanna go back.

Here's a Christmas photo of that den - me in my groovy night gown - the rolled painted wall - just the one wall. Three were the splintery paneling. Tweed drapes. My weaving loom and rub a dub doll!
View attachment 29710

Hold those memories close!

 

[do1you9love?]

I took the time last night to re-read this - and enjoyed it all over again. Joe Hill is fantastic! This re-telling of the story of the Van Helsing family is horrifying. I honestly prefer to believe in vampires than to look at the true horror of what people are truly capable of. But yes, we know who the monster is now. In my heart I've always felt that witch hunters, vampire hunters - they were just blood thirsty people who knew how to work a crowd into a frenzy. I think seeing his mom like that changed Max forever.

I also like stories that take a known work or fiction and create a back story or a new story - thank you Joe!

Dana Jean You have a gift for reviews. Have you ever thought of blogging? I'd love a DJ blog.

Y'all have a good weekend. I'm going to try and unplug. I need to time travel back to 1978 for a minute. Just watch some Flintstones and eat my Fruity Pebbles in front of the TV. Stay awake until the rainbow screen comes on. "Come Sail Away" was the first actual music video I ever saw - staying up late and watching scary movies in the 70s (Let's Scare Jessica to Death). That song always scares me a little because of how it came on right after Jessica that night. I watched from my hiding place under the stairs in our den - multi color shag carpet, paneling on the walls that could actually give you splinters, foil on the TV antenna. I wanna go back.

Here's a Christmas photo of that den - me in my groovy night gown - the rolled painted wall - just the one wall. Three were the splintery paneling. Tweed drapes. My weaving loom and rub a dub doll!
View attachment 29710

Except for the blond girl in the pic, this could have been taken in my house about that time!!

(((Holly))) Enjoy being unplugged and find that safe place you are seeking!! Know we're here if you need us!!

 

[do1you9love?]

I have one!

John Collier's Story: Thus I Refute Beelzy

Yay! I will try to be here again next week!!

 

[Dana Jean]

I took the time last night to re-read this - and enjoyed it all over again. Joe Hill is fantastic! This re-telling of the story of the Van Helsing family is horrifying. I honestly prefer to believe in vampires than to look at the true horror of what people are truly capable of. But yes, we know who the monster is now. In my heart I've always felt that witch hunters, vampire hunters - they were just blood thirsty people who knew how to work a crowd into a frenzy. I think seeing his mom like that changed Max forever.

I also like stories that take a known work or fiction and create a back story or a new story - thank you Joe!

Dana Jean You have a gift for reviews. Have you ever thought of blogging? I'd love a DJ blog.

Y'all have a good weekend. I'm going to try and unplug. I need to time travel back to 1978 for a minute. Just watch some Flintstones and eat my Fruity Pebbles in front of the TV. Stay awake until the rainbow screen comes on. "Come Sail Away" was the first actual music video I ever saw - staying up late and watching scary movies in the 70s (Let's Scare Jessica to Death). That song always scares me a little because of how it came on right after Jessica that night. I watched from my hiding place under the stairs in our den - multi color shag carpet, paneling on the walls that could actually give you splinters, foil on the TV antenna. I wanna go back.

Here's a Christmas photo of that den - me in my groovy night gown - the rolled painted wall - just the one wall. Three were the splintery paneling. Tweed drapes. My weaving loom and rub a dub doll!
View attachment 29710

I'm with you, I wanna go back. Great memories.

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