Books Stephen King Recommends discussion

Put your comments about this section here.

HELL
Chapter 1 Well right away, I want to know what Ig was up to. (view spoiler)[Sounds like he did more than drunkenly dance on the tabletop with a lampshade over his head. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 I never questioned whether Ig (view spoiler)[has horns or not, I've already accepted that he does. Heof course, tries to attribute them to some physical ailment or possibly his mental state of guilt over his deceased girlfriend Merrin and probably his mistreatment of his current girlfriend Glenna. (hide spoiler)]

Glenna's "eating (view spoiler)[her guilt" is a classic eating disorder, but her behavior seems a little more eerily driven than usual. Eeeww for the fly! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 Not a single person that Ig has encountered (view spoiler)[has had a happy thing to say. Does he only hear confessions from people with nasty urges? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 I did not think Glenna could see Ig's(view spoiler)[ horns, but the hospital personnel seem to, with no alarming reaction. Not sure about the waiting patients's. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 A 1972 (view spoiler)[AMC Gremlln? Not exactly a macho car. Reminds me of my first car. I think many of us inherited an old family car as our first ride. It never was a Corvette or a Mustang! Still they were our first foray into independence and represent many youthful memories. (hide spoiler)]

I need more explanation (view spoiler)[of "The Tree-house of the Mind"! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 Why is Ig so readily willing to attribute (view spoiler)[his horns to an evil inside him? He has already decided that he is becoming a devil or is perhaps possessed by a devil. He has abandoned mental sickness or a brain tumor as the cause for his hallucinated horns. At this point he is hoping God can cure him somehow, even though he's afraid to step into a church or be in the presence of any religious symbols. Seems like a really quick acceptance of his unworthy self!:) (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 7 Ig's thoughts of his grandmother(view spoiler)[ seemed so endearing. How awful to find that your mother and grandmother have never actually cared about you. And that both are really not very nice people. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8 Now he knows his father's (view spoiler)[lack of love as well. Things are starting to look pretty bleak. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9 There seems to be no (view spoiler)[happy memories in Ig's old room. Just more reminders of his isolation. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 10 Oh boy! I was waiting for another(view spoiler)[ hate filled rant from brother, Terry. This confession was certainly a surprise! (hide spoiler)]

I didn't vote for this book even though I really enjoyed it in the end; I do remember I was repulsed in the beginning. I can't imagine walking around with people everywhere I went being compelled to make terrible confessions of brutal honesty revealing how much they hated me or horrible things they had done. Filters are very good things! And how terrible to "have to" spout off like that!

It was interesting how people seemed to accept the horns as normal. Maybe it was (view spoiler)[ the same influence that caused them to spill their darkest actions and thoughts. (hide spoiler)]

Janice wrote: "It was interesting how people seemed to accept the horns as normal."

Yeah, they seemed to notice them indirectly through shadows or side glances, never really fully acknowledging that they were there. Once witnessed, people were compelled to admit terrible things.

Ann wrote: "confessions of brutal honesty revealing how much they hated me or horrible things they had done. Filters are very good things! And how terrible to "have to" spout off like that! ..."

I think that finding out what your family and friends really think of you would be the worst. We live in a secure illusion that we are loved and well liked by those close to us. Those same people know well our flaws and have formed opinions, Fortunately they like us anyway. If they must point things out to us, they usually deliver the news obliquely!☻

In the words of Robbie Burns,


"And would some Power give us the gift
To see ourselves as others see us!"

Janice wrote: "In the words of Robbie Burns,


"And would some Power give us the gift
To see ourselves as others see us!""

There is no one more adept than our friends in seeing every hateful thing about us!☻

True that! LOL!

Joe Hill certainly channels his father in his writing, I'm sure he hates hearing that but I'm saying it as a compliment. Not the same of course, but there are certainly similarities - that's a GOOD thing, lol

ONly up to chapter 7 so far but I am loving this. It is not at all what I was expecting and I think Ig's reactions to what people say to him is pretty funny/sad. I am nervous about what is going to happen and if he will ever find an ally

Tom wrote: "...nd I think Ig's reactions to what people say to him is pretty funny/sad. ..."

The humor is a bit dark. (view spoiler)[It seems more appalling that people ask permission to do certain acts, than the act itself. Ig just wants his "horns problem" solved. As far as he's concerned everyone can resume their decadent selves as soon as they are finished with his need! (hide spoiler)]

Sharon wrote: "Joe Hill certainly channels his father in his writing, I'm sure he hates hearing that but I'm saying it as a compliment. Not the same of course, but there are certainly similarities - that's a GOOD thing, lol ..."

He does have the talent and studied under a master. Sometimes though, I wonder whether Hill gives a nod to King in some of his references, or is mocking him..."See I can do this too"!

I haven't noticed the King similarities yet. now Nos4A2 is another story

Tom wrote: "I haven't noticed the King similarities yet. now Nos4A2 is another story"

Yeah, Nos4A2 was practically a memorial to King! lol!

Almeta wrote: "or is mocking him..."See I can do this too"!"

I never thought of it that way, but I can see that kind of rivalry happening.

It is very dark humor in this book. I laughed a number of times during the book. I remember battling with myself over it.

I don't think he is mocking his Dad. They have written a few stories together I believe. I think its for all the critics who will automatically compare them. He wanted to get that out of the way!

I though it was awesome when (view spoiler)[ he pushed his gramndma down the hill (hide spoiler)]. couldn't help laugh.

Wow! This starts right off the bat in the thick of things!

Wow! This starts right off the bat in the thick of things!

The last two pages of this first section were a real plot mover. So will he use his powers for revenge or justice? Will Ig come out a better person and survive this? Or will he loose his soul?

The last two pages of this first section were a real plot mover. So will he use his powers for revenge or justice? Will Ig come out a better person and survive this? Or will he loose his soul?

Interesting thoughts Kristin - I look forward to reading your comments at the end.

Wow all those hidden spoilers. Going to have to go on the web version of goodreads to view. Anyone else find that irritating? Comments on book to follow in five lol

I loved this section of the book. It is a really interesting perspective to take in viewing people's inner thoughts and secrets. Thought the scene at the doctors with the brat was hilarious - when he gave the receptionist permission to let loose she didn't hold back lol.

To all those who found it funny when ig pushed his gran down the hill - shame on you. But it is funny as it was just so outrageous but calmly done!

Michelle wrote: "Wow all those hidden spoilers. Going to have to go on the web version of goodreads to view. Anyone else find that irritating? Comments on book to follow in five lol"

I prefer the web version by far. I think the app is cumbersome and frustrating, so I rarely use it.

I don 't use the app except to occasionally update progress on a book for those reasons.

I felt guilty laughing at him with his gran, but at the same time she (and his mom especially) were just so horrid! I hope no one I would would have that extreme feelings toward me.

Tom wrote: "I though it was awesome when [spoilers removed]. couldn't help laugh."


I knooow!☻
One of those it's not supposed to be funny, but I can't help it moments!