Horns – A peek at the novel by Joe Hill

Horns by Joe Hill

I noticed a post one day on Facebook that said Horns was up for grabs for only $2.99 and that the author, Joe Hill, was Stephen King’s son.

What?

I’m not sure how I missed that one … that Stephen King has a horror-writing son who goes by Joe Hill … but he does.  Wow.

As a child I was a voracious reader and I frequently read books that many would consider inappropriate–books I don’t let my own children read, ha ha.  By 1988 I’d read all of King’s works and loved most of them.  I think he’s one heck of a storyteller and an excellent writer.

His stuff after 1998 was always decent & worth a read, but not always great, in my opinion.  I never stopped being a fan, though.

When I downloaded Horns I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Even after the first chapter, I couldn’t have guessed how I would feel in the end.

Then things changed.  Talent, like a river, runs swift and deep in the King family.  Sure, an editing team and unlimited author resources probably help, but Horns is one fantastic book and that starts with the author.

You can definitely see King in the writing style–the good King–King at his best.  I can only imagine that growing up with the master of horror shaped his perception of the world.  However, it is simultaneously unique and original.

The story begins with our, well, “hero,” Ignatius Perrish, awakening from a marathon of remorseful drinking to discover horns on his head.

“His fingertips brushed the horns, and he cried out in fright.  It was on his lips to say, God, please, God, make them go away … but then he caught himself and said nothing.”

And, the story goes from there as Ig finds he has changed in other ways that coincide with the physical.  Has he become the devil?  Read, and find out…

It’s easily the best horror novel I’ve read in a decade and comparable with his father’s best, and even then, it’s more than simply horror.  The storytelling is incredible … fiction at its finest … and the writing is impeccable.  The plot was bulletproof, and wrapped around tightly at the end, sealing the package with a ribbon and pretty bow.

I wish I’d written it.

Well done, Mr. Hill, even if I do chuckle to myself that you’ve gone through the trouble of writing under a different name, yet chose your father’s genre, and folks like me buy the book because of family ties.  Of course, I’ll be buying more of your books because of your fantastic writing.

Have a great night, readers!

~Bart