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20th Century Ghost
Alec Sheldon owns the Rosebud Theatre, an old-style movie palace, and worries about the future, and mortality - a fear made all the sharper by the knowledge that his beautiful old theatre is haunted . . .
Joe Hill is the New York Times bestselling author of NOS4A2, Horns, and Heart-Shaped Box, and the prize-winning story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the co-author, with Stephen King, of In the Tall Grass.
Joe Hill is the New York Times bestselling author of NOS4A2, Horns, and Heart-Shaped Box, and the prize-winning story collection 20th Century Ghosts. He is also the co-author, with Stephen King, of In the Tall Grass.
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2014
143 people are currently reading
830 people want to read
About the author
Joe Hill
506 books30k followersJoe Hill's debut, Heart-Shaped Box, won the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel. His second, Horns, was made into a film freakfest starring Daniel Radcliffe. His other novels include NOS4A2, and his #1 New York Times Best-Seller, The Fireman... which was also the winner of a 2016 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror Novel.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
He writes short stories too. Some of them were gathered together in his prize-winning collection, 20th Century Ghosts.
He won the Eisner Award for Best Writer for his long running comic book series, Locke & Key, co-created with illustrator and art wizard Gabriel Rodriguez.
He lives in New Hampshire with a corgi named McMurtry after a certain beloved writer of cowboy tales. His next book, Strange Weather, a collection of novellas, storms into bookstores in October of 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
June 18, 2010
Wow, what a great collection. In each and every story, Hill flexed a different muscle, and I'm starting to think that this man has an abnormal number of muscles.
From the visceral, "something is after you" scares of "Best New Horror" to the wicked thrills of "The Cape" (thrills similar to those he would utilize in Horns), this is a dynamic read, creepy yet beautiful, hard as nails, and human, all at the same time. He's got all the tricks of his old man, and a more deft and readable voice. Sorry, Stephen. But, you know, good job procreating.
From the visceral, "something is after you" scares of "Best New Horror" to the wicked thrills of "The Cape" (thrills similar to those he would utilize in Horns), this is a dynamic read, creepy yet beautiful, hard as nails, and human, all at the same time. He's got all the tricks of his old man, and a more deft and readable voice. Sorry, Stephen. But, you know, good job procreating.
April 6, 2019
One of the best short stories from the collection. A guy falls in love with the ghost of a passionate film-enthusiast in a haunted theatre. Despite being cold as ice and having a bit of blood running down her face, a surprisingly warm romance forms between the two and it ends with a supernatural kiss that’s caught on camera.
March 23, 2016
This was a very atmospheric story. It gives one a taste of things to come from Joe Hill.
January 7, 2015
As soon as I started reading this I realised I had read it before.
I found this in a book called "Poe's Children" overall the collection was a bit disappointing.
This story however was probably one of the better ones in the collection, perhaps one of the best.
Has a definite creepy vibe to it.
Plus pretty much anything written by Joe Hill is worth a read.
All reviews can be found at http://lennonslair.blogspot.co.uk
I found this in a book called "Poe's Children" overall the collection was a bit disappointing.
This story however was probably one of the better ones in the collection, perhaps one of the best.
Has a definite creepy vibe to it.
Plus pretty much anything written by Joe Hill is worth a read.
All reviews can be found at http://lennonslair.blogspot.co.uk
August 5, 2016
I can't remember a short story collection I've enjoyed more since Stephen King's Everything's Eventual. This is an utterly brilliant and weird and downright creepy batch of stories, some so memorable that I think they changed me a little and made me want to be a better writer. Those stories include the following:
"Pop Art:" so deliciously committed to its weirdness that Hill doesn't bother to explain why the main character's best friend is inflatable, like something you would buy from a gag shop. But this inflatable friend speaks and has parents and is prone to irreparable damage from dogs. Once I sat back and stopped waiting for the punch line, I was in awe of Hill's balls.
"The Cape:" Think Unbreakable, but about the birth of a supervillain. The last page of this story chilled my blood, and it's the one entry in the book that I wished was a novel.
"My Father's Mask:" Never in my life have I been so simultaneously confounded and terrified by a piece of fiction. I know this sounds like a major overstatement, but it is 100% accurate. This story requires multiple readings, and even then I'm not sure I would completely get it. Imagine being ripped out of your own head and dropped into someone else's nightmare, complete with all their fears and personal contexts. I will never forget this story.
"Voluntary Committal:" This is Hill channeling his father in a big way. It reminds me very much of a modern and more personal twist on King's short story "The End of the Whole Mess" from Nightmares & Dreamscapes combined with King's "From a Buick 8." It's the tale of two brothers. One "normal," the other not so much. Nolan is telling the story of his brother Morris, an autistic kid who spends all his time in their basement while growing up, building elaborate box forts. Only they seem to take the people in them to horrifying places that we can only guess through very chilling and subtle cues are alternate dimensions of some sort.
There were a few other standouts, like "In the Rundown," about a fired video store employee stumbling on a chilling scene of infanticide, and "Bobby Conroy Comes Back to Life," a cute and grungy love story about an estranged couple who find love again while playing a couple of zombie extras on the set of a George Romero film. The others were also enjoyable reads, but felt a tad abbreviated.
I've been a little critical of some aspects of Joe Hill's writing, namely in regards to pacing in his longer work, but this collection of stories is probably the best demonstration of his talents and limitless imagination, aside from his latest novel NOS4A2. 20th Century Ghosts earns a venerated spot on my bookshelf, where all the spines are worn out and the pages are faded from multiple reads. I look forward to revisiting these little worlds again someday, and I highly recommend everyone who enjoys short, twisted fiction give this a chance.
"Pop Art:" so deliciously committed to its weirdness that Hill doesn't bother to explain why the main character's best friend is inflatable, like something you would buy from a gag shop. But this inflatable friend speaks and has parents and is prone to irreparable damage from dogs. Once I sat back and stopped waiting for the punch line, I was in awe of Hill's balls.
"The Cape:" Think Unbreakable, but about the birth of a supervillain. The last page of this story chilled my blood, and it's the one entry in the book that I wished was a novel.
"My Father's Mask:" Never in my life have I been so simultaneously confounded and terrified by a piece of fiction. I know this sounds like a major overstatement, but it is 100% accurate. This story requires multiple readings, and even then I'm not sure I would completely get it. Imagine being ripped out of your own head and dropped into someone else's nightmare, complete with all their fears and personal contexts. I will never forget this story.
"Voluntary Committal:" This is Hill channeling his father in a big way. It reminds me very much of a modern and more personal twist on King's short story "The End of the Whole Mess" from Nightmares & Dreamscapes combined with King's "From a Buick 8." It's the tale of two brothers. One "normal," the other not so much. Nolan is telling the story of his brother Morris, an autistic kid who spends all his time in their basement while growing up, building elaborate box forts. Only they seem to take the people in them to horrifying places that we can only guess through very chilling and subtle cues are alternate dimensions of some sort.
There were a few other standouts, like "In the Rundown," about a fired video store employee stumbling on a chilling scene of infanticide, and "Bobby Conroy Comes Back to Life," a cute and grungy love story about an estranged couple who find love again while playing a couple of zombie extras on the set of a George Romero film. The others were also enjoyable reads, but felt a tad abbreviated.
I've been a little critical of some aspects of Joe Hill's writing, namely in regards to pacing in his longer work, but this collection of stories is probably the best demonstration of his talents and limitless imagination, aside from his latest novel NOS4A2. 20th Century Ghosts earns a venerated spot on my bookshelf, where all the spines are worn out and the pages are faded from multiple reads. I look forward to revisiting these little worlds again someday, and I highly recommend everyone who enjoys short, twisted fiction give this a chance.
August 31, 2012
I couldn’t ask for a better anthology of contemporary horror. And it’s a generous anthology, too. Fifteen stories (sixteen if we include the hidden short story in the Acknowledgments), all of them written and constructed with superb skill. Gorgeous language, with author Joe Hill settling with the subtle instead of the hysterical. Not hurrying, not resorting to cheap tricks.
I was so happy to have gotten my hands on this book. “Best New Horror” is a self-reflexive delight, “Better than Home” heartbreaking, “Last Breath” simple and spooky, “My Father’s Mask” a disorienting tale of masks and made-up games.
“Bobby Conroy Comes Back from the Dead”, starring a pair of extras in a George Romero film, is surprisingly sweet. I was convinced Hill could make any subject work, because he even made “Pop Art” work – work so well it could bring tears. And “Pop Art” is about an inflatable boy. (Seriously.) The anthology has some body horror (“You Will Hear the Locust Sing”), some vampires (“Abraham’s Boys”). “The Widow’s Breakfast” is a story told through the eyes of a hobo. No ghosts here, but my, what fantastic construction. The collection closes with an engaging novella, “Voluntary Committal”, which you just have to read.
All of the stories have heart. That’s what most horror writers forget. You need the heart, to make the horror more devastating.
I was so happy to have gotten my hands on this book. “Best New Horror” is a self-reflexive delight, “Better than Home” heartbreaking, “Last Breath” simple and spooky, “My Father’s Mask” a disorienting tale of masks and made-up games.
“Bobby Conroy Comes Back from the Dead”, starring a pair of extras in a George Romero film, is surprisingly sweet. I was convinced Hill could make any subject work, because he even made “Pop Art” work – work so well it could bring tears. And “Pop Art” is about an inflatable boy. (Seriously.) The anthology has some body horror (“You Will Hear the Locust Sing”), some vampires (“Abraham’s Boys”). “The Widow’s Breakfast” is a story told through the eyes of a hobo. No ghosts here, but my, what fantastic construction. The collection closes with an engaging novella, “Voluntary Committal”, which you just have to read.
All of the stories have heart. That’s what most horror writers forget. You need the heart, to make the horror more devastating.
September 29, 2014
Not to be confused with the collection of books this story is featured in, confusingly labeled 20th Century Ghosts....this is a single short story about a old man named Alec who reminisces about a ghost who haunts the old theater he manages. This is definitely a touching story, that is reminiscent of a Twilight Zone episode with a lot of heart. Throughout this tale we catch glimpses at how this specter of a woman has touched the various lives of those who encountered her in the movie theater. When it is all over, said and done we are left with a bittersweet conclusion that is both equal parts chilling and romantic.
While I wish a different name was placed on this collection, I am very happy with this unique story because I honestly have never read anything like it before. I think it showcases Joe Hill's amazing imagination very nicely. I give this one a highly praised four out of five stars.
While I wish a different name was placed on this collection, I am very happy with this unique story because I honestly have never read anything like it before. I think it showcases Joe Hill's amazing imagination very nicely. I give this one a highly praised four out of five stars.
September 30, 2014
This short story was very spooky and had a lovely ending. I felt like it was a love story for classic films and the bygone era when movie stars were a mystery to us all and we could focus more on their movies than their personal lives. The main character and the ghost's love of old movies and movies in general was portrayed beautifully.
July 20, 2018
I had already read this story (and the rest of the book) in high school, but found that a few select stories were available as audiobooks from the library. I thought, why not? A quick hour listen.
I tried to start it at night, and quickly realized I could not go through with it. But the next day I listened to it through. I loved how atmospheric the narration was. It made the story all the creepier. This story in particular was not a favourite of the bunch, but I still very much enjoyed it. I think a little bit of the meaning is lost on me. But from what I get from it, I really like it.
I tried to start it at night, and quickly realized I could not go through with it. But the next day I listened to it through. I loved how atmospheric the narration was. It made the story all the creepier. This story in particular was not a favourite of the bunch, but I still very much enjoyed it. I think a little bit of the meaning is lost on me. But from what I get from it, I really like it.
May 8, 2013
20th CENTURY GHOSTS by Joe Hill is a collection of speculative fiction that amazed me with its psychologically disturbing and unsettling material. I’m not normally a fan of short stories, particularly anthologies by the same author, but nearly every story in this book grabbed me with its truth, realism and escalating tension.
May 16, 2017
I loved the premise and almost wish Hill had made this into a novella rather than a short story. There was more potential for an emotional/nostalgia punch I feel it didn't quite accomplish. All the same, it's a perfectly decent story.
October 5, 2017
Just what I expect from Joe Hill: Deliciously creepy. Now I need the whole collection.
September 22, 2018
Ghostly
I love the title of this book. It makes the book seem old fashioned and from a long ago era.
I love the title of this book. It makes the book seem old fashioned and from a long ago era.
July 6, 2011
Years ago I read something by Stephen King about his sons and their literary careers. I rushed to the library and picked up both boys' books. I was not overly impressed with Owen King but that may have more to do with his genre than his ability to write. Joe Hill, however, had my attention. His Heart Shaped Box had me from page one. As time went on, I forgot his name (happens to me far too often) and then dear ole dad mentions him again. This time in praise of his Locke and Key Graphic novel series. I head back to the library and get the first L&K book and 20th Century Ghost.
20th Century Ghost starts off with an introduction written by another author (who's name escapes me now) who was asked to write this intro but had never read anything by Joe. His reaction was the same as I had reading Heart Shaped Box - this man is awesome. There was a slight mention of where the various short stories that filled this tome had come from but mostly there was an awe of Joe's incredible talent.
20th Century Ghost consists of 15 short stories. Knowing Joe's previous works I was not surprised by the tone of the first story Best New Horror which followed an editor as he tracked down a new horror author only to find himself in the worst kind of story. The story was expected but it was still good.
However, none of that prepared me for the rest of the book. The second story 20th Century Ghost was a ghost story but more so - a wonderful romance between a man, a movie theatre and a ghost. It was sweet and subtle.
I'm not going to give you a blow by blow of each story in the book because I want you to have your own surprising experience. I will say that I think my favorite story was Better Than Home, a beautifully written story about a boy who has some sort of mental disability and how his family deals with him. There was no real ghost in this story nor was there any horror to be detected. It was just a beautiful story (I am running out of adjectives). I wish there was a way to just share that story with everyone I know (not that the entire book isn't worth sharing).
The stories are so varied that each one touches on a different genre. Joe Hill's ability to weave a story makes him more than a writer - he's an artist.
20th Century Ghost starts off with an introduction written by another author (who's name escapes me now) who was asked to write this intro but had never read anything by Joe. His reaction was the same as I had reading Heart Shaped Box - this man is awesome. There was a slight mention of where the various short stories that filled this tome had come from but mostly there was an awe of Joe's incredible talent.
20th Century Ghost consists of 15 short stories. Knowing Joe's previous works I was not surprised by the tone of the first story Best New Horror which followed an editor as he tracked down a new horror author only to find himself in the worst kind of story. The story was expected but it was still good.
However, none of that prepared me for the rest of the book. The second story 20th Century Ghost was a ghost story but more so - a wonderful romance between a man, a movie theatre and a ghost. It was sweet and subtle.
I'm not going to give you a blow by blow of each story in the book because I want you to have your own surprising experience. I will say that I think my favorite story was Better Than Home, a beautifully written story about a boy who has some sort of mental disability and how his family deals with him. There was no real ghost in this story nor was there any horror to be detected. It was just a beautiful story (I am running out of adjectives). I wish there was a way to just share that story with everyone I know (not that the entire book isn't worth sharing).
The stories are so varied that each one touches on a different genre. Joe Hill's ability to weave a story makes him more than a writer - he's an artist.
January 28, 2014
I enjoyed 20th Century Ghosts. Hill had a few really original ideas for some of his short stories. They kept me interested and entertained. But, that was all - although, reading in the horror/dark fiction genre, I do think many in the audience are not exactly reading to discover some hidden life lesson interwoven among the fabric of the story (and this OKAY - I as I consider myself in the many).
I do think (and the following is also evident - to me - in NOS4A2) there there is a very subtle misogynist bent in his writing style. There is nothing overt, but I found myself, at times, on the verge of being offended during some of his exposition. There is nothing I can completely pinpoint or put my finger on, but I just felt it (so, I suppose it could just be me - any thoughts in response to this are welcome!); it was much like the unspoken reality which many women deal with daily. It's not stated bluntly, but you can feel and tend to react to the implication behind the situation. If this was on purpose, Mr. Hill, I applaud you - because it clearly garnered the reaction for which you may have been hoping. My two favorite stories within the collection were "Best New Horror" and "Scheherazade's Typewriter." I mention them here because not only did I really like the stories, I think, at least subconsciously, I didn't pick up on the tone I'm referring to in either. (An aside: I LOVED the story, "Thumbprints," it was well-written and the protagonist was not just well-fleshed out but *real* feeling.)
I read the introduction first and it made me INCREDIBLY excited to start the book. It was made to sound like each and every one of the stories were riveting and would have me biting my nails and... not so much... I think I may have appreciated the stories much more if weren't so... hyped.
That all being said: I liked the book. It was a good read. I would recommend it to any of whom enjoy this genre. Why isn't this a 5 star rating, then? In this vein of fiction, The Sparrow and Children of God (Mary Doria Russell) are 4 star books. To me, James Tiptree and Octavia Butler are 5 star authors. I do think that Hill has the potential to be a 4 star author (like, but not like, his father, as they do have very different writing styles and ... "vibes" is all I think.
I do think (and the following is also evident - to me - in NOS4A2) there there is a very subtle misogynist bent in his writing style. There is nothing overt, but I found myself, at times, on the verge of being offended during some of his exposition. There is nothing I can completely pinpoint or put my finger on, but I just felt it (so, I suppose it could just be me - any thoughts in response to this are welcome!); it was much like the unspoken reality which many women deal with daily. It's not stated bluntly, but you can feel and tend to react to the implication behind the situation. If this was on purpose, Mr. Hill, I applaud you - because it clearly garnered the reaction for which you may have been hoping. My two favorite stories within the collection were "Best New Horror" and "Scheherazade's Typewriter." I mention them here because not only did I really like the stories, I think, at least subconsciously, I didn't pick up on the tone I'm referring to in either. (An aside: I LOVED the story, "Thumbprints," it was well-written and the protagonist was not just well-fleshed out but *real* feeling.)
I read the introduction first and it made me INCREDIBLY excited to start the book. It was made to sound like each and every one of the stories were riveting and would have me biting my nails and... not so much... I think I may have appreciated the stories much more if weren't so... hyped.
That all being said: I liked the book. It was a good read. I would recommend it to any of whom enjoy this genre. Why isn't this a 5 star rating, then? In this vein of fiction, The Sparrow and Children of God (Mary Doria Russell) are 4 star books. To me, James Tiptree and Octavia Butler are 5 star authors. I do think that Hill has the potential to be a 4 star author (like, but not like, his father, as they do have very different writing styles and ... "vibes" is all I think.
November 21, 2014
What I liked about this book: Since I'm a big Stephan King fan, I had to read a book by his son I was hearing so much about. When I saw the title I knew I had to buy it just because I love a good ghost story. To my disappointment very few stories had any ghost in them. Some stories were so riveting and then others seemed to move so slow I had to skip them just to stop from falling asleep while reading (Abraham's Boys). My two favorite stories were You Will Hear The Locust Sing which the story of a little boy who eats bugs and then turns into a giant locust and The Black Phone about a boy kept in the basement of a serial killer who keeps receiving phone calls from past victims through an unconnected phone. These stories were my favorite because they were actually scary and kept me on the edge of my feet until the very end.
What I didn't like about this book: None of the stories felt complete to me. They seemed to end as soon as they were reaching their peak. I can take that with a couple of stories, but by the third time it was pissing me off and rendering me unemotional about any of the stories. I didn't want to get attached to any of them because they'd be over with no closure at all. This puts a big damper in the book for me.
I also found some of the stories really poorly paced and they became boring really quick. Stories like The Cape were sentimental and cute...but why the hell were they in this story?
Overall: The writing in this book was actually really amazing in some of the stories. It was deep, engaging and honest. Other times it felt like creeping sludge, bored me to death and felt incomplete. I wanted to like this book more than I did, but only about half (or less) of it really jelled with me.
What I didn't like about this book: None of the stories felt complete to me. They seemed to end as soon as they were reaching their peak. I can take that with a couple of stories, but by the third time it was pissing me off and rendering me unemotional about any of the stories. I didn't want to get attached to any of them because they'd be over with no closure at all. This puts a big damper in the book for me.
I also found some of the stories really poorly paced and they became boring really quick. Stories like The Cape were sentimental and cute...but why the hell were they in this story?
Overall: The writing in this book was actually really amazing in some of the stories. It was deep, engaging and honest. Other times it felt like creeping sludge, bored me to death and felt incomplete. I wanted to like this book more than I did, but only about half (or less) of it really jelled with me.
March 4, 2019
I was disappointed because I had the impression that this was a collection of scary type ghostly stories. Reading the foreword also supported that, but it was not a collection. This basically was the one novella/short story "20th Century Ghost". It was a good story, I'm not debating that, but it's hard for me to give more stars when I feel deceived. It's interesting that the heading on my review plainly says "A Story from the Collection 20th Century Ghosts", but that was NOT what was shown as the heading when I bought the ebook. It listed several stories.
There are 2 things that bug me about buying ebooks:
1. buying an ebook thinking it is a whole story, just to find out that it is serialized, and you have to buy multiple books to get the whole story;
2. Having the impression given that the ebook contains several short stories or a novel, then finding it to be a novella or only one short story.
The information given in the blurb at the store site (usually Amazon or Barnes and Noble) should tell it like it is. When we used to buy physical books, you could hold them in your hands and look through them. The ebooks don't give us this opportunity, so we depend on the selling site to help us out. So come on guys, help us out!!! Okay, enough of the soap box.
There are 2 things that bug me about buying ebooks:
1. buying an ebook thinking it is a whole story, just to find out that it is serialized, and you have to buy multiple books to get the whole story;
2. Having the impression given that the ebook contains several short stories or a novel, then finding it to be a novella or only one short story.
The information given in the blurb at the store site (usually Amazon or Barnes and Noble) should tell it like it is. When we used to buy physical books, you could hold them in your hands and look through them. The ebooks don't give us this opportunity, so we depend on the selling site to help us out. So come on guys, help us out!!! Okay, enough of the soap box.
September 2, 2010
20th Century Ghost-Joe Hill
I'm not quite sure what to say here. Well,I take that back, there is a lot I want to say about this book. First of all, Joe Hill, what happened? I expected a book full of “ghost” stories, or at least “scary” stories, but what I ended up reading was a few good scary stories, and a bunch of stuff to fill pages in a book. I tried to give you some credit, being a Boston author, and throwing in some Boston humor, but even that couldn't componsate for the majority of the stories that, I'm not quite sure,had anything to do with a ghost story.
I will give credit to the truly scary “ghost” stories as being really good. Unfortunatly, they were outnumbered by stories that could have been written by fifth graders given a creative writing assignment. A couple of stories could have been written by college freshman who have not learned that it is quality that makes a story, not quanitiy of pages. I was bored out of my mind at stories that wouldn't end, and left scratching my head, wondering why some of the stories were even in the book. Overall, it was pretty dissapointing, because there was some good stuff in it...buried.
I'm not quite sure what to say here. Well,I take that back, there is a lot I want to say about this book. First of all, Joe Hill, what happened? I expected a book full of “ghost” stories, or at least “scary” stories, but what I ended up reading was a few good scary stories, and a bunch of stuff to fill pages in a book. I tried to give you some credit, being a Boston author, and throwing in some Boston humor, but even that couldn't componsate for the majority of the stories that, I'm not quite sure,had anything to do with a ghost story.
I will give credit to the truly scary “ghost” stories as being really good. Unfortunatly, they were outnumbered by stories that could have been written by fifth graders given a creative writing assignment. A couple of stories could have been written by college freshman who have not learned that it is quality that makes a story, not quanitiy of pages. I was bored out of my mind at stories that wouldn't end, and left scratching my head, wondering why some of the stories were even in the book. Overall, it was pretty dissapointing, because there was some good stuff in it...buried.
January 4, 2014
Actually, I am currently reading Joe Hills *Collection,* but not in eBook. I have a hardback copy. The title is 20th Century Ghosts
I finished this Book in a Night or two (?), some Time ago. I do not get on GoodReads often enough. I have read several Books since then which I have yet to report. In 20th Century Ghosts , Joe Hill's collected Stories range from Magical, to supernatural, to humorous, to horrific. I love this wonderful Book! If you are not as fan of literary horror, peruse the Stories and you will discover a few which have no sinister elements, but only enchantment.
~~~
Joe Hill did not come forth as the son of another famous Author until after he had begun to cement his own place in the Literary world. If his photo does not clue you in, after reading him, you have a fine chance at guessing who fathered this Writer, whose torch I believe he will carry far into a new Era of Readers.
I finished this Book in a Night or two (?), some Time ago. I do not get on GoodReads often enough. I have read several Books since then which I have yet to report. In 20th Century Ghosts , Joe Hill's collected Stories range from Magical, to supernatural, to humorous, to horrific. I love this wonderful Book! If you are not as fan of literary horror, peruse the Stories and you will discover a few which have no sinister elements, but only enchantment.
~~~
Joe Hill did not come forth as the son of another famous Author until after he had begun to cement his own place in the Literary world. If his photo does not clue you in, after reading him, you have a fine chance at guessing who fathered this Writer, whose torch I believe he will carry far into a new Era of Readers.
May 27, 2013
I’ve read quite a bit by Joe Hill, and I have to say that 20th Century Ghosts is his best work. The stories in this collection are nearly perfect. Though each belongs to “genre,” they are so original and innovative that they demand their own definition. Some are horrifying, some are thought-provoking, some are downright romantic, but each cuts to the core of the main character and, though briefly, provides a potent insight into the protagonist that many authors fail to achieve throughout an entire novel.
I won’t say that Hill is America’s greatest author, because he isn’t, and I think he would agree with that. But in this collection the man did everything he does best without error. Even if you’re not a fan of “genre,” I highly recommend this book. For aspiring writers who need to see short stories done correctly or for literature fans who need a good thrill, 20th Century Ghosts is a rewarding experience.
I won’t say that Hill is America’s greatest author, because he isn’t, and I think he would agree with that. But in this collection the man did everything he does best without error. Even if you’re not a fan of “genre,” I highly recommend this book. For aspiring writers who need to see short stories done correctly or for literature fans who need a good thrill, 20th Century Ghosts is a rewarding experience.
July 27, 2017
Leaves You Wanting More!
20th Century Ghost
By Joe Hill
A quaint little ghost story that draws you in slowly, with the gentle ease of listening to a friend while sitting around a campfire. Not told to scare you, but along the "My cat did the funniest thing..." sort of way. I absolutely loved it. Then, out of nowhere, when you think you're done (and if you're like me and actually read the acknowledgements), you find a hidden gem hiding in his acknowledgements. Yes, you heard me correctly, there's a bonus short story named "Scheherazade’s Typewriter." Finally, to wrap things up and to stir your interest, at the very end of the book is a Four Chapter Preview of Joe's book "The Fireman" (which I also highly recommend).
Bonus Short Story:
Scheherazade’s Typewriter
By Joe Hill
20th Century Ghost
By Joe Hill
A quaint little ghost story that draws you in slowly, with the gentle ease of listening to a friend while sitting around a campfire. Not told to scare you, but along the "My cat did the funniest thing..." sort of way. I absolutely loved it. Then, out of nowhere, when you think you're done (and if you're like me and actually read the acknowledgements), you find a hidden gem hiding in his acknowledgements. Yes, you heard me correctly, there's a bonus short story named "Scheherazade’s Typewriter." Finally, to wrap things up and to stir your interest, at the very end of the book is a Four Chapter Preview of Joe's book "The Fireman" (which I also highly recommend).
Bonus Short Story:
Scheherazade’s Typewriter
By Joe Hill
September 8, 2015
Well, I bought this one thinking it was the full anthology of stories at a very much reduced price, only to discover after the purchase that it is, in fact, only a single story from the collection.
Ah, well.
As it is, though, this little tale is 99 cents well-spent. Hill is very much his father's son, I think, as his story of a theatre and its dead girl feels as though it would have fit snugly within one of King's own compilations. It's a tad violent, a bit spooky, oddly touching in its final pages, and altogether good enough that I'm convinced that I may have to give the entire publication a go.
And, of course, stories of film and the joys of Hollywood are always compelling to me. There's a magic to cinema that I love to read about, and Hill captures it well.
Ah, well.
As it is, though, this little tale is 99 cents well-spent. Hill is very much his father's son, I think, as his story of a theatre and its dead girl feels as though it would have fit snugly within one of King's own compilations. It's a tad violent, a bit spooky, oddly touching in its final pages, and altogether good enough that I'm convinced that I may have to give the entire publication a go.
And, of course, stories of film and the joys of Hollywood are always compelling to me. There's a magic to cinema that I love to read about, and Hill captures it well.
October 3, 2010
I re-read 20th Century Ghost due to the short story with in by the same name. I’m off to the music box tomorrow, a movie theater built in 1929 located in Chicago. I found out that it is haunted just like in Joe Hills classic tale 20th Century Ghost. Why not read it and get spooked before I venture to the music box. Maybe I too will see the ghost that haunted the theater. 20th Century Ghost has to be the best tale in the whole book. Do read the rest of the book too. They might not all be about ghost but they are still bizarre like pop art, a boy made out of balloons. Original tales each one will make you think.
June 1, 2013
20th Century Ghosts consists of fifteen stories by Joe Hill. Although generally enjoyable, some of these stories fell flat while others were real gems. Hill definitely demonstrates skill as a writer. Some of the stories just didn't connect with me. Among the ones that really stood out were "Voluntary Committal" where Morris Lerner, an idiot savant kind of character who builds crazy mazes out of boxes and uses it to get rid of his older brother's friend, a villainous character who had it coming. Another is "Abraham's Boys" about descendants of Van Helsing. A very solid collection of short stories that is worth reading.
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
Carl Alves - author of Blood Street
December 31, 2014
I don't know what I was expecting when I read this one. It starts off with a nice creepy little horror story and I somehow expected that would set the tone for the rest of the book, but boy was I wrong. My favorite story turned out to be "Pop Art" which was definitely not a horror story but a nice, charming and sweet little story about a boy and his friend. Other great stories are "My Father's Mask" (this one's weird but oh so friggin' creepy),"Voluntary Committal" and "Bobby Conroy Comes Back From The Dead" (how can you not like a story that takes place on the set of the filming of ‘Dawn of the Dead’?).
October 24, 2014
Joe Hills 20th Century Ghost Stories
This is a Short Story book with many types of stories.. I Laughed, Was Shocked, Saddened, Sitting on the edge of my seat, Anxious beyond belief!!! It was a great group of stories..
Another great read from Joe Hill. (I expected nothing less! Everything he touches turns to gold.... Much like his Famous Father!!)
I will be moving on to more pieces of his work... (More short stories, and the Graphic Novels..Locke and Key and The Cape... Very excited for them both..)
This is a Short Story book with many types of stories.. I Laughed, Was Shocked, Saddened, Sitting on the edge of my seat, Anxious beyond belief!!! It was a great group of stories..
Another great read from Joe Hill. (I expected nothing less! Everything he touches turns to gold.... Much like his Famous Father!!)
I will be moving on to more pieces of his work... (More short stories, and the Graphic Novels..Locke and Key and The Cape... Very excited for them both..)
October 6, 2012
I can definately see Hill's father's presence in many of the short stories that appear in this book. Some of the stories kept you reading, longing for more; others, made you wonder how they were ever approved for public consumption.
Rather than offering spoilers, I suggest that everyone try this for themselves. Just recall the younger Stephen King short story collections before you judge the son!
Rather than offering spoilers, I suggest that everyone try this for themselves. Just recall the younger Stephen King short story collections before you judge the son!
May 30, 2016
Joe Hill is particularly good at writing short stories. This story has a clear start, middle and end (it actually starts in the middle, but the structure is awesome). A lot of ghost stories don't take the time period into account. They could be set anywhere and any time. This story, as the title suggests, is anchored firmly in the 20th century and can't be moved. It's excellent.
May 30, 2021
This is not a ghost story. This is a romance. Very atmospheric, mellow (Hill's description on the about-to-close longtime-running theatre poked and pricked at my heart like a rose thorn), and warm. Joe Hill is an excellent writer, perhaps even better than his father, and I really hope he could release more stuff because I, no, humanity, needs him.
May 30, 2013
Maybe I had higher expectations than I should have, but there were too many forgettable stories in this collection for me to rate the book any higher than 2 stars. There were a couple enjoyable stories, but mostly it was only OK for me.
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