Same time, same place-- tonight around 8PM
Story can be found in Joe's book Throttle.
Story can be found in Joe's book Throttle.
Discussion Group Read for January 22, 2020....."Mums" by Joe Hill
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I'm going to have to chime in tomorrow about this one. I haven't read it yet and I'm not going to get home until late tonight. I've got to see a man about a horse. 
No problem! Watch out for the Iguanas.I'm going to have to chime in tomorrow about this one. I haven't read it yet and I'm not going to get home until late tonight. I've got to see a man about a horse.
...since I have such an early alarm, let me just say-I'm not sure quite what to think about this one, other than it's another great tale! I tend to believe it's a mixture of the supernatural and "imagination"....what a twist on the "cult" and "domestic violence" tropes.....
Absolutely elements of the supernatural and imagination. Always asking is it real, or just the kids imagination. As oe said element of paranoia to the max.
A play on words/ meaning "Mums". Flower or the alternate British spelling for mom/mum. How would the story play out?
A play on words/ meaning "Mums". Flower or the alternate British spelling for mom/mum. How would the story play out?
This one started slow for me. But once Joe hit his stride, I thought it was a very well written story. The subtle details of how a person is "grown" and how that can shape them -- I thought the ties to that earth, dirt, roots, growing, language were clever. "Homegrown" terrorism has often been in our news.
I don't know if the kid was seeing things, needed to take meds like his mother did, or if it was real, but I loved the surreal nature of the mums.
The old lady "grandmother" was real, and the seeds were real, and their unusual growth was real because Beth saw it too.
But what was real and imaginary after that, I'm not sure. I think a reader can choose their own path on that one, and intentionally written so.
I don't know if the kid was seeing things, needed to take meds like his mother did, or if it was real, but I loved the surreal nature of the mums.
The old lady "grandmother" was real, and the seeds were real, and their unusual growth was real because Beth saw it too.
But what was real and imaginary after that, I'm not sure. I think a reader can choose their own path on that one, and intentionally written so.
....as always, wonderfully put....
thanks Scott.
Even the father talks with the language of planting: " A mother's love is planted deep."
The mums tell Jack: "We grew you before you grew us."
If you have curiosity, read it again and pay attention to all the wonderfully placed words of growth. Even his mom's name was "Bloom."
Fascinating language for this one; not overly forced. Just peacefully woven here and there.
If you pay attention, the word choices around planting and growing "grew" throughout the story. There weren't many references at first, but as the story "grew" and the "mums" grew, and the homegrown terrorism "grew", so did the language.
Very clever on Joe's part and this took a very subtle restraint to make it work. It could've gotten cheesy or gimmicky, but Joe skillfully laid down that story.
Also, I liked the reference to Invasion of the Body Snatchers. But this story reminded me of something else. A night gallery episode called "Greenfingers."
You can actually watch the episode here:
www.nbc.com
Even the father talks with the language of planting: " A mother's love is planted deep."
The mums tell Jack: "We grew you before you grew us."
If you have curiosity, read it again and pay attention to all the wonderfully placed words of growth. Even his mom's name was "Bloom."
Fascinating language for this one; not overly forced. Just peacefully woven here and there.
If you pay attention, the word choices around planting and growing "grew" throughout the story. There weren't many references at first, but as the story "grew" and the "mums" grew, and the homegrown terrorism "grew", so did the language.
Very clever on Joe's part and this took a very subtle restraint to make it work. It could've gotten cheesy or gimmicky, but Joe skillfully laid down that story.
Also, I liked the reference to Invasion of the Body Snatchers. But this story reminded me of something else. A night gallery episode called "Greenfingers."
You can actually watch the episode here:
Watch Night Gallery Episode: Green Fingers; Room for One Less - NBC.com
Watch Green Fingers; Room for One Less (Season 2, Episode 32) of Night Gallery or get episode details on NBC.com
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Dana Jean -- spot on with all you thoughts and observations. Joe has that ability to intertwine. In this story it was growth.
Neesy
#1 fan (Annie Wilkes cousin) 1st cousin Mom's side
Sorry I am late replying - I did read this story on Monday or Tuesday but yesterday I was busy
This was a good story which I actually enjoyed more than the first one I read (All I Care About is You). You could kind of see where he was going with it but it was enjoyable anyway.
Trying to decide which one to read next - I was thinking of "In the Tall Grass" or maybe even "Throttle" [both written with Stephen King]
Any Volunteer for next weeks reading group?
How 'bout Late Returns from Joe? Found in Full Throttle
Sounds like a winner. January 29th
Couldn't be here for the discussion. This story made me uneasy, from the start to finish. I did take note of the growth theme throughout, and it was well used. The child, the mums, the paranoia. But the domestic violence and the plotting of other nefarious activities just really struck a nerve and made me very uneasy.
Well written story as always. But not ever going to be a favorite of mine.
Well written story as always. But not ever going to be a favorite of mine.
BUMP
reminder- discussion group Wednesday January 29,2020 approx 8PM
Late Returns from Joe Hill. Found in Full Throttle
reminder- discussion group Wednesday January 29,2020 approx 8PM
Late Returns from Joe Hill. Found in Full Throttle
I missed this one in January but read it last weekend. I thought this was one of the best in the book. Like you, I'm not sure if he was seeing things and that's probably exactly the way Joe intended. Maybe the "grandmother" was giving the kid visions.