Heart-Shaped Box
by Joe Hill
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Book Reviews of Heart-Shaped Box
Book Review: Amazing and scary
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow, what a great debut!
Now that I have that out of the way, let me start out my review by saying that Heart-Shaped Box is the creepiest, scariest new book that I have read in quite some time. Mr. Hill tells an excellent story; well thought out with wonderful character development. The thing that I really loved about his introducing us to the characters is that he just threw us into the ride with them without too much background and then built them up into very complex and likable personalities through the course of the book without setting us up with a "here's what this character is all about" sort of summary .
The story-telling in this novel is top-notch. Hill weaves a grand adventure fraught with tension and nail-biting moments that you won't want to put down. My only complaint with the novel was that sometimes his style/structure didn't flow extremely well and I had to re-read a sentence or two to comprehend what he was trying to say. These instances were few and far between, so it wasn't a distraction to the wonderful flow of the novel.
If you couldn't tell, I highly recommend Heart-Shaped Box. It's a great read. One word of caution though, if you're reading alone in a dark and quiet farm-house out in the boonies, I would suggest turning on some lights before running upstairs to get something. I didn't and I almost scared the bejeepers out of myself with the images from the book still lodged in my head!!
Book Review: Read his short stories instead
Summary: 3 Stars
When I read Joe Hill's wonderful collection of short stories, 20th Century Ghosts, I didn't yet know he was the son of Stephen King. If I'd read this one first, I would have guessed. You can see how he learned from his dad in this novel.
On the good side, he gives us an interesting and unusual set of characters, one of whom does develops considerably through the series of events in a heartwarming way (pun not originally intended although I think it's relevant), and a real hand with the suspense. You really are kept on the edge of your seat, and I found it a mistake to read this book at night before bed. On the not-so-good side, the entire first half is extremely repetitive and could be... well, cut by half, and not much would be lost. The gimmicks with the truck are very S.K. The basic idea of buying a ghost on eBay is an inventive way to make horror relevant to our lives now.
It has some great quirky -and likely useful- advice for dealing with the supernatural, such as (small potential spoiler) the presence of animals and the use of song. One quote I liked sums that up: "It was an idea that made no rational sense, but Jude did not care what was rational. Only what was true."
On the whole, it was a fun read but I wouldn't give it as a gift. That is not true for 20th Century Ghosts, which I found one of the best collections of short-stories by a single author put out this year.
Book Review: Page-turning ghost story
Summary: 5 Stars
Heart Shaped Box tells the story of aging rocker, Judas Coyne, after he buys a ghost online. It seems that Coyne has a taste for the bizarre, so he bids on an auction that nets him a haunted suit. While he does it as on a lark, he soon learns that the ghost he receives is much more than he bargained for. Thanks to his impulsive purchase, Judas ends up locked in a struggle for his life against a force that seems to be unstoppable and implacable.
This book is a true page-turner and had me hooked within the first few pages. The ghost is creepy and the haunting scenes intense. At the same time, the real backbone of the novel comes from its exploration of family themes. Of course, this is a horror novel so don't expect to find any Norman Rockwell families... there are some dark and powerful experiences revealed as Judas searches for a way out of this haunting.
I'm a sucker for ghost stories but rarely find one scary enough to truly satisfy. Heart Shaped Box was a pleasant surprise in this regard, and doubly so since I had never read any of Joe Hill's other stories. Departing from the standard conventions, this book ratchets up the scare factor early and often. Indeed, if the book has a flaw it's that the first third is so intense that it's hard for the remainder of the story to live up to it. This is a strong first novel for Mr. Hill and I look forward to reading more of his work.
Book Review: Corny but immersive
Summary: 3 Stars
Heart-Shaped Box is author Joe Hill's ghost story. While you might be thinking of Kurt Cobain and Nirvana, its really about a ex death-metal rock star named Judas Coyne, who buys a killer evil ghost from Ebay. That's right, from Ebay. You see, Jude likes to collect obscure things that have to do with death (like skulls and such). So, one day his manager tells him about a Suit on sale that contains the essence of a ghost that he could add to his collection. Next thing you know Judas life turns into a nightmare as the ghost is out to get him.
While the idea of some one buying a ghost on Ebay does sound corny, you will find out that there was a point of it being sold. The story actually does a pretty good job with characterization, and you do get a sense of understanding and sympathy towards the characters. I felt that some of Judas' background stories of his father and child hood were thrown in just to try to add some sympathy points, and that most of the issues with his dad were stereotypical. Joe Hill also did a good job with explaining his Judas surroundings in good detail. Statements such as "He slid out of bed. The damp and the cold took him by surprise" add an immersive feeling to the story.
Heart-Shaped Box was an enjoyable read, but nothing special. Don't expect anything more then an generic horror movie of a thriller.
Book Review: Great idea...that does not quite deliver
Summary: 3 Stars
Jude Coyne is an aging rock-god, who is looking to add to his collection of macabre items. His assistant talks him into purchasing a ghost on an ebay-esque online auction. The trouble ensues upon delivery.
The trouble I had with this book was Jude himself. His character just wasn't fleshed out enough for me. Although his music is played on every channel he happens to listen to, he travels about unrecognized. His lifestyle does not quite lend itself to the idea of a "music legend". His home seems rather suburban and ordinary. Jude seems like he could be everyman, rather then the extreme personality he is made out to be.
The first 3/4 of the book builds on itself, quite slowly. The last third of the book was more readable. But I found myself reading the book to get through it, rather then savoring it. I also felt like "Georgia", his girlfriend, although changed for the experience she went through, was not true to herself as well. She begins the book as a self absorbed-goth-twenty-something, and ends it coming off as a middle aged-mom type. In the span of a few weeks.
I just felt that this story was a great idea, but fell a bit flat.