Speculative Fiction Junkie

Reviews of works of science fiction, fantasy, horror, weird fiction, and related genres.

10/25/2008

Book I Couldn't Finish - Heart-Shaped Box

Joe Hill

I'm starting a new segment here on SFJ. Every now and then I can't finish a book; not because it's a terrible book but because it simply isn't interesting enough to keep me from the constantly growing stack of other books I want to read. When this happens, I'll write a paragraph or two about why I didn't find it interesting.

The first distinguished entry into this category is Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill. This book received a lot of buzz and is held in high esteem by many people whose opinions I respect. It was not high on my list, however, because the story didn't sound that interesting: a middle-aged rocker buys a suit over the Internet that contains a ghost. It then proceeds to torment him, etc. My plans not to read it changed, though, when I was randomly selected to win a signed paperback copy of the book over at the excellent Blood of the Muse!

I made it to page 219 of this 366 page book (right around the Ouija board part). Mr. Hill is a good writer and I would definitely consider reading his other works, but the story of Heart-Shaped Box just never got interesting. Frankly, I am astonished that this book beat out The Name of the Wind for the Locus Award for best debut novel. I suspect that its popularity will not endure.

If you really want to blame someone for my lack of enthusiasm about Heart-Shaped Box then blame Bill Hussey, whose Through A Glass, Darkly (review here) is so far above every other horror novel I've read that it may have ruined the rest of the genre for me!

TOP

8 comments:

gav (nextread.co.uk) said...

It's a shame that you couldn't force yourself to the end.

Whilst it's not the best book I'll ever read. For the genre it's trying for a psychological haunting, and the factors behind them.

It's a shame because there's a twist about why she really sent the suit and what the ghost really wants. And I'm sure that comes after...

But each to there own. I'm trying his short stories 20th Century Ghosts soon. Will let you know how it goes.

gav.

October 25, 2008 3:01 PM  
Plinydogg said...

Gav,

Thanks for your thoughts. I'm not ruling out the possibility of finishing it at some point but I've got a ton of books on my plate right now and want to get through some of them before I return to this one. Then again, I could always take it to work and make it my lunch break book until it's finished....I'll let you know if I finish it :)

I look forward to hearing what you think about 20th Century Ghosts. As I said in the original post, I'm definitely open to reading more from Joe Hill, I just didn't especially like what I read of Heart-Shaped Box.

Also, if you haven't read Hussey's book, I HIGHLY recommend it (if that isn't obvious by now)

October 25, 2008 3:15 PM  
Highlander said...

Ben

I liked Heart Shaped Box but not as much as 20th C Ghosts, several of those stories were stunning, I think you will like it. Hope you are enjoying Nocturnes and I see you have The Road coming up, bleak, mysterious, desperate, excellent. Have fun!!

Cheers
Colin

October 26, 2008 3:11 PM  
Plinydogg said...

Colin,

I am enjoying Nocturnes a lot but have only just started...I anticipate that it will be my next review. Thanks again for the recommendation.

As far as The Road is concerned, I hadn't intended to read it so soon but someone told me that the movie of The Road is coming out next month and I'd like to have read it before seeing the movie.

20th Century Ghosts is on my list but it's not very high on that list.

What I really need to do is find more works like TAGD...

October 26, 2008 3:19 PM  
Petec said...

I felt the same about the book. I read over half of it but it just couldn't hold my interest. Funny thing was, my wife also had the same experience. However,she withheld her opinion until I was finished.

October 28, 2008 9:00 AM  
Plinydogg said...

Petec,

I'm glad I wasn't the only one! That was nice of your wife to withhold judgment until you were done!

October 28, 2008 9:23 AM  
SQT said...

I have this but haven't read it yet. I thought it would be a good Halloween read. I guess I'll see...

October 28, 2008 1:02 PM  
Plinydogg said...

Sqt,

The proximity of Halloween is one of the reasons I'm reading more horror-ish stories right now, myself!

I'll be curious to see what you think of Heart-Shaped Box....

October 28, 2008 1:06 PM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)