Discussion- Best New Horror by Joe Hill

[Doc Creed]

This was a clever story from start to finish. I like how Hill uses Eddie Carroll to give his views on the modern horror story, the horror industry, and writing itself. The ending (or non-ending) was brilliant and, as horrific as it is, it even has notes of dark comedy, as if Hill is winking to the jaded reader. I was not expecting this collection to be this good. It is as original and groundbreaking as his father's first collection, Night Shift; I really think so. I have read four stories so far but it's enough for me to recognize and assess the similarities. Bottom line: Joe Hill is a terrific writer. In many ways he surpasses King in narrative abilities and his sentences pierce straight to the bone. Hill is precise, with a hawkish intelligence, and his prose is confident. I'm impressed.
I look forward to reading the remaining stories. I'm reading "The Black Phone" currently.
What did you all think?

 

[Doc Creed]

When Eddie is at Kilrue's house and he slowly starts to realize he's in trouble (one of the brothers is cooking in chaps or bondage gear?), I got that same surreal sensation when reading "The Lawnmower Man" or scenes from Misery for the first time. I didn't know if I should laugh, but the entire time I'm scared to death for our protagonist. Creepy. Lol

 

[Doc Creed]

Joe Hill's writing is fairly new to me. I can't get over how good he is. I'm not as easily spooked as I was when I was younger but Hill can hit that nerve, and he pulls no punches. The whole business with Kilrue's story and the buttons...wow. Very scary.

 

[Doc Creed]

I'm a little early, but I took into consideration some might be watching Castle Rock and Mr. Mercedes tonight.

 

[Doc Creed]

morgan

What do you think? Did you read it again?

 

[fljoe0]

This is this a darkly funny story. I'm not sure but I think some of the characters are real people and Joe was having fun making them as disgusting as possible.

 

[Doc Creed]

This is this a darkly funny story. I'm not sure but I think some of the characters are real people and Joe was having fun making them as disgusting as possible.

Real as in actual people he knows?
Yeah, I got the feeling he was having fun with the reader, too. But there are some dark scenes...the lady chained to the bed who, at first, Eddie thinks is stretching. I didn't think he was going to make it out of that house.

 

[fljoe0]

Real as in actual people he knows?
Yeah, I got the feeling he was having fun with the reader, too. But there are some dark scenes...the lady chained to the bed who, at first, Eddie thinks is stretching. I didn't think he was going to make it out of that house.

I don't know for sure but I got the feeling that some of those characters are real people in horror publishing. Only the names of course, Joe made up the rest. Some of the descriptions of the characters seem like he's poking fun at some people.

 

[Doc Creed]

Kilrue's stories "Piggies" and "Buttonboy" were disturbing...and that is just from other characters and Hill summarizing them. Heh. It makes me wonder if Joe Hill is saying, "hey, readers, this is what I'm capable of, but I'd never sink as low as Kilrue". Kind of playing both sides.

 

[morgan]

morgan

What do you think? Did you read it again?

I won't be able to get my copy of 20th Century Ghosts until Friday. I remember the story, but need to do a re-read before adding to the discussion.

 

[fljoe0]

I won't be able to get my copy of 20th Century Ghosts until Friday. I remember the story, but need to do a re-read before adding to the discussion.

Don't watch any crappy movies while you're waiting.

 

[fljoe0]

Kilrue's stories "Piggies" and "Buttonboy" were disturbing...and that is just from other characters and Hill summarizing them. Heh. It makes me wonder if Joe Hill is saying, "hey, readers, this is what I'm capable of, but I'd never sink as low as Kilrue". Kind of playing both sides.

Joe's playing all the sides in this story.

 

[Doc Creed]

I don't know for sure but I got the feeling that some of those characters are real people in horror publishing. Only the names of course, Joe made up the rest. Some of the descriptions of the characters seem like he's poking fun at some people.

Yeah, maybe. The killers weren't dumb or hillbillies, though, like in Deliverance. Kilrue was highly intelligent. (Not that you are suggesting otherwise.) I'm not sure what class of people they fall into but it's safe to say they are social misfits and psychotic, LOL.

 

[fljoe0]

It's amazing in the opening story of his first book, Joe is having fun with the genre and the audience.

 

[Doc Creed]

Who thinks Eddie lived? Do you think they captured him? Poor guy running from chainsaw dude with leather chaps. Ha!

I think he got away. Eddie was an expert on these types of situations, on paper at least.

 

[Doc Creed]

It's amazing in the opening story of his first book, Joe is having fun with the genre and the audience.

Yeah, exactly. Like you said, I wonder how closely these characters resemble real people. Editors, writers, publishing execs.

 

[fljoe0]

Who thinks Eddie lived? Do you think they captured him? Poor guy running from chainsaw dude with leather chaps. Ha!

I think he got away. Eddie was an expert on these types of situations, on paper at least.

I think he got away. He knew all the things not to do in that situation.

 

[Spideyman]

Late to discussion-- excellent points. I"ve been reading Joe's works as they were published, just like with his dad. True, as I grew older, the scare factor was not always so intense. However, Joe hits it spot on. He is a natural born talent and he learned by "observing", reading, life itself has given him a heads up.
I think Eddie managed to get away. Joe like to give the reader "hope".
Also think some of this story came from that Observing--- watching the publishing aspect, the business-end of being an author. The feel is real.

Read on Doc Creed - I think you will enjoy the remaining stories.

 

[Doc Creed]

Late to discussion-- excellent points. I"ve been reading Joe's works as they were published, just like with his dad. True, as I grew older, the scare factor was not always so intense. However, Joe hits it spot on. He is a natural born talent and he learned by "observing", reading, life itself has given him a heads up.
I think Eddie managed to get away. Joe like to give the reader "hope".
Also think some of this story came from that Observing--- watching the publishing aspect, the business-end of being an author. The feel is real.

Read on Doc Creed - I think you will enjoy the remaining stories.

Thank you, Spidey. Morgan was kind to send me a spare copy and I have been reading a different story every other night or so. The one about the black phone reminds me of John Wayne Gacy.

 

[Dana Jean]

Joe is a storyteller. He doesn't waste one word when he invites us to his party. I think he surpasses Stephen on all counts. JMO. He's a writer that knows his audience, knows the history of his genre and he just bends the hell out of it, this way and back.

I was anxious right out of the gate with the Buttonboy. The smarmy magazine guy and his sharing of the Piggies story made me draw back in revulsion, like he got too close to me.

And that house! Why oh why did he drive up that driveway? And the mailbox says Kil U. Every bit of information coming in about the Buttonboy author screamed, "flee!" He knew before he even got there that this author and his brother weren't normal.

Getting to this desolate place and seeing the brother at the mailbox, he was fully aware that he wasn't in Kansas anymore. After he parks and sees the condition of the place, another horror red light. And then he hands over his jacket? No way! With the keys in the pocket? All that was missing was the fornicating teenagers and an arrow through the eyeball. Poor mom! Laying there neglected and tortured but I don't think they need mom anymore to sign that social security check.

(The brother was cooking in a jock strap, Doc.)

But, I think this editor, knowing full well he was putting himself in danger, was trying to relive that fear he felt when he went to the movie as a small boy. He had read so many crappy stories and was so jaded about the business, I think he actively knew this was all a big mistake, and yet, I think he wanted to feel that again. That surge of virgin fear that we all lose as we get older and more desensitized with one blah horror thing after another.

He was running through that forest scared sh*tless, but alive and energized.