Monday, December 21, 2009

Ghosts Again

2oth Century Ghosts: Joe Hill: Although short stories are not my favorite genre, I bought this book after I read Hill's novel, Heart-Shaped Box . I had the book hanging around my house for awhile but was finally inspired to read this collection because Les liked it. These stories are something completely different from Hill's novel. Not all are scary and I think only two involve actual ghosts, but all the stories are masterfully written. Pop Art, a story about an inflatable boy, is surprisingly heartbreaking, while My Father's Mask is a creepy tale about people made of cards. Not all stories have such potentially whimsical premises; most have characters who are reality-based (besides the ghosts). I found myself wishing that some of the stories weren't so short and that the book itself was longer. I will keep this book because I will definitely read these stories again. Even if you don't like the short story as a genre, Joe Hill's are worth reading.

5 comments:

BabelBabe said...

I have had Heart Shaped Box sitting in my TBR pile for at least a year. must...get...on...that....

Kathy said...

The short stories are better,

Les said...

I thought Pop Art was wonderful! Probably my favorite. The book is definitely worth reading again and again. I can't wait for his next novel to come out!

Kathy said...

Les: I think Pop Art was my favorite story as well and I've pre-ordered his new novel.

sari said...

I loved Pop Art and the one about the brother who makes the box houses (I forget the name of it off the top of my head, I haven't had my coffee yet).

I'm just a bit away from finishing Horns right now - are you reading it??