That change in my opinion is indicative of the level of writing that Joe Hill is capable of. As a young writer I think he deliberately gave his readers characters they wouldn’t care about, people that most readers with felt were unworthy of the time they spend with them, just so he could redeem them. He twisted all those views and those negative feelings into something strong and passionate. That’s the writer’s gift, and is probably what he picked up from the best of his father’s books.
Heart-Shaped Box makes a lot of familiar moves to confirmed horror readers. But that’s the author just making sense within the fictional story. The writing may feel a trifle overdone, but Hill’s prose builds atmosphere and narrative tension in the latter half of the book that makes the story just sing along at a frenetic pace.
If Hill hadn’t taken the time with the characters in the first half of the book, I wouldn’t have cared as deeply about them by the end. Too many times writers depend on action to carry a story forward. Hill depends on characters to carry the story forward.
If you’re one of the readers who bought the book expecting Stephen King, then put the book down and didn’t finish it, I really advise you to go back and put the time in to at least read a little while longer. You’ll be rewarded for the time and effort.
Although the book could be considered beach material, I think you’ll find the beach will seem a little more desolate and a little more chilly while you’re turning pages. And if you make the mistake of staying up late to finish this novel, you might use find yourself reading while pulling the covers up to your chin and sleeping with the light on well after you’re done.
I’m looking forward to Joe Hill’s next book. As it is now, I’m going back and picking up some of his short story collections. This is definitely a young new writer to watch.
Article comments
1 - Nicole Saraiva
Unlike a great part of the readers for Heart Shaped Box, I actually bought this book with no idea of the author and his relation to Stephen King.
While in the bookshop, I spotted this book at random, and it seemed to call to me.
Reading the blurb, I gathered that it was a horror that greatly appealed to me.
The musical influences, the supernatural, the tortured past, the suicide, this all painted an amazingly intriguing picture, and I knew I couldn't leave the store without that book.
Myself, I originate from Texas and currently live in New York City. As a teen I grew up with the Gothic "sub culture" and have continued with the lifestyle, and I've done some pretty shitty things with myself...as a result I felt I could identify totally with Georgia/Marybeth, and also, to maybe a lesser extent, Jude.
I see the eerie parallels with my own life ; the guilt of betrayal, the emotional damage, the ghosts of the past.
Heart Shaped Box showed me these things, in a context I could understand and accept.
This isn't really a book review so much as a deep heart felt thank you to Joe Hill.
This book opened me up to being able accept new ideas about life, and that being emotionally dead to avoid people wasn't saving me.
It helped me achieve the confidence to confront my own ghosts and break through the fog that was clouding my mind...and now at the end of the day I'm smiling again, and eagerly looking forward to tomorrow.
2 - Ginger Haycox
I feel the same way. I was about to do a review on this book after reading it, but I've changed my mind because I think the book needs no help in finding readers on it's own. I am not a Stephen King fan - not totally anyway. I read some of his books because I like the way he tells a story. With exception to some good vs evil classics like The Stand, I wasn't really hooked on any of his tales tho'.
So if I say Joe Hill hasn't fallen far from the tree with an exception, I mean that only in the best sense. He has the story-telling abilities plus a good story to tell. At least so far.
I did find that the Heart-Shaped Box meandered off at times, but not in a critically bad way. I was fascinated with his girls and happy at where some of that led. Nicole, this to you; I'm sure glad the book served such a positive purpose for you too, because we have eternity to obsess over death - life is ever so short and we need to obsess over it too, while we still have the chance. The rewards can be beautiful even if the road getting to that beauty is ugly. Trust me - I speak from experience.
3 - Elaine Newvine
Loved this book! I was hooked from the first chapter. This was not a waste of my reading time, and would find myself reading a chapter or two while making dinner. It was hard to put down.The story and character's personalities were intense. Can't wait to read more of Joe's books.