Robert Bennett answers “NOS4A2 was my first Hill and I hated it...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about The Fireman:

NOS4A2 was my first Hill and I hated it (although I had really high expectations). I think I'm willing to give him a second chance because the premise of this book looks great, but was wondering if they are similar? - not in story obviously but stylistically I guess?

Robert Bennett I liked NOS4A2, it reminded me of his dad's earlier works, but I loved Heart Shaped Box and I am in the middle of The Fireman and I think it is great …moreI liked NOS4A2, it reminded me of his dad's earlier works, but I loved Heart Shaped Box and I am in the middle of The Fireman and I think it is great as well. Great premise, good characters (the title character is still a bit of a mystery half way through) but there are a couple of places where HIll got a little too "prosy" and a few sentences feel contrived. I'm a writer too and probably a little pickier about some of these things but these particular sentences are the ones sticking with me because they don't read true, they read like someone trying to put poetry into a semi-horror novel.

Just to be clear, it is very, very good and I am glad I purchased it. Like I do with his father's books I will probably reread this one occasionally.(less)

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