Supernatural Fiction Readers discussion

I read Heartshaped Box by Joe Hill and was told it was frighteningly good. While there were some scary points, for me it wasn't really a big scary book. Just curious how others, who have read it, feel?

Personally I don't know yet. Purchased it a couple of weeks ago, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet. The idea sounds cool enough, though.

I found the beginning to be a bit scary. The parts with the ghost sitting in the chair were a bit creepy. After that I just found the book to be more entertaing than creepy.

I thought It started out good and then petered out. In fact I listened to this book on audio and I didn't even bother to finish it.

I found it very, very scary. I enjoyed reading it and was spooked for weeks- slept with a night light!

It seems like it kept trying to "take off" and didn't quite succeed. Not a bad read, but not one of my favorites.

I was most creeped out when the main character saw the ghost, the rest of it just didn't do it.
I really wish JOE HILL would do some more writing... He's just done HeartShapedBox, 20thCenturyGhosts & some stuff w/his Dad....... Don't you think he needs to get out more on his own???

I started reading this book (it was a loaner from a friend) without knowing that Joe Hill is actually Joseph Hillstrom King. As I was reading, I kept thinking that it was kind of like reading a bad Stephen King novel. Sorry, Joe. The story was all over the place up until the very end.

Joe Hill is Stephen King's son so I suppose his imagination would rub-off on Hill. I'm on page 300 & thoroughly enjoying it!

I respect anyone's opinion on here because most everyone is pretty well-read...and we all have our varied tastes....but I loved this novel. I thought the plotline was original and fresh (and yes, I know...we can break this down and say the plot wasn't completely new and fresh, but I think you know what i mean) and I liked the main character (who was by no means entirely likable but all too human) and his girlfriend. It was frightening and chilling and teh ending wasn't too predictable. I cannot wait to read another novel by Hill. I've read his short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts, and was blown away. Yes, he's King's son but the apple don't fall too far from the tree with this one!

Also...I went into this novel knowing who Joe Hill really was but had no preconceptions. I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, OF COURSE he was influenced by his dad (who wouldn't be?) but he's his own brand of writer and I'm glad for it. I'd happily read anything else he publishes...

I didn't have a clue who he was when I started reading it but once you find out it's a bit 'oh yeah I can see that'! I think it's a great book' enjoying one with ghosts for a change!

I read this book a few months ago not knowing he was Kings son. I did think that the suspense or dread factor had a King-esque feel to it. I just thought it was someone like me who grew up reading and loving King.

I was just newly unemployed and in a dark place and this book was so dripping in hopelessness or trapped-ness I thought of putting it down because I thought it is feeding my own sense of anxiety. I decided to push through cause I wanted to see what happened.

I thought the set up and scenerio was excellent and original. A collector of wierd stuff buys a haunted suit. It was really cool the way it turned out to all be a personal dart for him. I liked many elements and the dread/horror factor was good. I think it did have some problems in the last half of the book with pace and too much-ness--but I liked it a lot. What I see is a good new author, with a good story and imagination who I hope to see develop into an excellent author.

Could you imagine being Kings son and wanting to write horror. the pressure.

I like the book. Not really frightening, but tense, and a good story.

Hope everything works out for you personally, Lily. You're not alone in that.

I was overall very impressed with his debut novel and how much Hill is his own writer. Obviously he HAS to be somewhat imfluenced by his Dad but as far as I can tell he is in NO WAY copying him. Or using his father's name to further his career. That should be obvious, hence the name Hill.

I loved this book! It completely creeped me out! Sure, I picked it up initially because he was Stephen King's son.....but now I'm a true fan of his on his own right! Heart-Shaped Box and 20th Century Ghosts are both amazing! I am very impatiently awaiting more from Joe Hill!

He's Stephen King's son? I never knew that but am a fan of his two recent works. He does come out on his own and is a fine writer regardless of who's his father.

He's definitely made a name for himself!

I just mooched a copy of this. Don't know when it will arrive or I'll get around to reading it, but all the comments here made me want to give it a try.

You'll be glad you did!

Rob wrote: "Chris: I've actually read comments by people who say Joe Hill is TOTALLY riding on his dad's coattails. Why? Because he has a beard like his dad did in the 70's! Some people. I think it's grea..."

Well, I don't know if I would agree with your saying that he's writing better stories than his dad is now, cause I love the new stuff. But he is great!

Absolutely. :)

A friend loaned me this book because she thought I would enjoy it. About half way into the book I found out the author was Stephen King's son. However, I will say before I knew King's son wrote it my first thought was that it was like a badly written King novel. I thought it was an interesting premise that went nowhere. I kept waiting for a really great ending in hopes that the book would redeem itself. I was very disappointed. I honestly think giving the book 2 out of 5 stars is being generous. It was okay at best. If you're looking for a good read, pick up Duma Key. Let the real King show you how it's done.

Kim, I completely disagree! I thought this novel was amazing! It was well written and very scary. If I hadn't known it was King's son, I would have said this book could easily compare with early King .....The Shining, Carrie, etc. I started this book, with the intention of being critical, this kid had alot ot prove.....and I believe he did!

He's not used his Dads' fame for his own needs.... people will always assume that since Kings his Dad!

I enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box for what it was, a creepy ghost story and a solid first novel. Joe Hill still has room to grow. I have to say I enjoyed his short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts more because I think the variety in it shows off his potential to be a great author for years to come.

Rachel wrote: "I enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box for what it was, a creepy ghost story and a solid first novel. Joe Hill still has room to grow. I have to say I enjoyed his short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts ..."

I agree, Rachel! I would love more short stories. They were so diverse and well written. I've been hoping for more from him, but all he seems to be doing now is the Lock & Key series (graphic novel).

I knew my comments would elicit a few contradictory responses. I can't help but be honest and say that I flat out didn't like it. I do respect your opinions on the subject. I was just a bit tired of the whole rah-rah cheerleader aspect of the discussion. Who knows? Maybe I'll pick up Twenthieth Century Ghosts sometime and see if I like that one.

Kim wrote: "I knew my comments would elicit a few contradictory responses. I can't help but be honest and say that I flat out didn't like it. I do respect your opinions on the subject. I was just a bit tired o..."

It's all good, Kim, everyones has different tastes. Try 20th Century Ghosts, though, it will show a very wide range in his talent. You just might be surprised.

Kim wrote: "I knew my comments would elicit a few contradictory responses. I can't help but be honest and say that I flat out didn't like it. I do respect your opinions on the subject. I was just a bit tired o..."

It's ok Kim, while I liked it the book, I didn't find it really, really scary. I recommended to my sister who liked it but it terrified her. I didn't get that. And my sister reads the same horror stuff I do.

I think the problem some have with Hill is that he doesn't write like his father. And the beard criticism is just ridiculous. He could've easily been publishing books as "Joe King" but did not. And word about WHO he actually was was going to get out anyway.

Absolutely, it was going to come out, but I believe he was trying to get people to check out out his book maybe before it did come out. I think he's earned his own respect.

I agree with Rob, that kind of attitude bugs me. I'm not trying to say anyone here was really trying to say that, at least from what I can remember by going through this thread.

I just want to clarify that I had no idea until about half way through the book that Joe Hill was King's son until I noticed his picture on the book jacket and did a little internet research. Despite my comment about his dad being "the real King", that was a bad pun. King is the master and for me no one even comes close. I compare every horror novelist to SK. A friend loaned me the book because she thought I would like it. I did think the premise showed promise, but I didn't find the characters all that interesting. I also just didn't think the storyline was well developed. The best way I can describe it is that it felt kind of all over the place, if that makes any sense.

Yeah Kim it makes sense. I'm not saying I agree, but your opinion makes sense. Ironically, I didn't know he was King's son either until I bought 20th Century Ghosts (which I read first) and turned it over to learn more about the author. He does bear a striking resemblance to a younger SK. I also kept comparing him to SK cuz I felt that I would've done that anyway, like you said. The man writes horror, if you write horror I hold you to a SK standard :)

Rachel wrote: "Yeah Kim it makes sense. I'm not saying I agree, but your opinion makes sense. Ironically, I didn't know he was King's son either until I bought 20th Century Ghosts (which I read first) and turned ..."

Rachel, I definitely agree. Stephen King is my ruler to judge good horror.

I enjoyed it alot, I just picked up Horns from the library today, looking forward to reading this as well.