Horror Aficionados discussion
Group Reads
>
December 2018 - Group Read #1 - NOS4A2
message 51:
by
Bob
(new)
Dec 11, 2018 06:24AM
Ya, I didn’t realize it was going to be a show? I’ll have to check that out but it has a lot to live up to!
reply
|
flag
Mod
Can't wait. :)
AMC... I wonder if/when it will arrive in Germany... :(
Thanks, Wendy! I'll have to keep an eye out for it.
The novel is pretty complex, and so I'm not sure if the AMC show can do it justice. I'm hoping for the best!😊
I loved this story, sorry but I felt that Stephen King had a guiding hand in it, because it resembles his work more then the other Joe Hill books I have read. Maybe it is just the influence of reading his fathers writing. The story was wild, intense, and kept me on the edge of my seat. I read it like I did the stand, straight through
Barbara wrote: "I loved this story, sorry but I felt that Stephen King had a guiding hand in it, because it resembles his work more then the other Joe Hill books I have read. Maybe it is just the influence of read..."You're not alone, Barbara. Actually, I'm half convinced that King wrote and published under Joe's name.
Dustin wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I loved this story, sorry but I felt that Stephen King had a guiding hand in it, because it resembles his work more then the other Joe Hill books I have read. Maybe it is just the i..."I thought maybe it was something he started and said here son see what you can turn this into, because I felt like I had read part of the story years ago. But hell if it's ok with them well I got to read a great story. I have to admit if I read it blind without a name of an author, I would have bet my life it was Stephen King
I myself have writing I am leaving to my son to finish or publish as is, so who knows.
Barbara wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I loved this story, sorry but I felt that Stephen King had a guiding hand in it, because it resembles his work more then the other Joe Hill books I have read. Maybe i..."Thank you for your input! I agree 100% that if I were reading (or listening) to it blind, I'd be very hardpressed to believe the author was anyone other than King.
Dustin wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I loved this story, sorry but I felt that Stephen King had a guiding hand in it, because it resembles his work more then the other Joe Hill books I ha..."Your welcome, the book was a masterpiece no matter what King wrote it, I gave it 5 stars and it's sitting on my shelf in a place of honor within arms reach.
Agreed. Regardless of who wrote it (I feel bad or possibly even cynical for questioning its veracity,) NOS4A2 was terrific and easily one of the best books I read this year. The best I've read in a while, actually.
Mod
Does anyone have the audiobook version to pass me ?
I read NOS4A2 ages ago and it is my favourite book ever I think.Although that's a hard thing to choose.
I loved everything about it and I've read it many times.
And will continue to re-read it.
I can't wait for the show!
I finished it a few days ago and it now resides in my top 5 all time best books. The ending I did figure out (sort of) but the entire journey was so very fun. I don’t read books twice but I may read it again 10 years from now. I am rooting for a part 2. Anyone else see room for a sequel? In the realm of Dad’s Doctor Sleep to the Shining? Just curious.
Late start for me -- just began reading this yesterday. The prologue is outstanding, creepy in all the right places and really sets the tone and lines us up for what happened before this. A sense of dread crossed over like a slowing moving shadow. Can't wait to read more.
I'm glad it's working for you, Michael! Welcome.☺
I'm at page 180 now, and spellbound by this novel. I love the character development. Vic is my favorite with Maggie a strong second. Just finished the chilling section of the first meeting of Vic and Manx.
Bob wrote: "I finished it a few days ago and it now resides in my top 5 all time best books. The ending I did figure out (sort of) but the entire journey was so very fun. I don’t read books twice but I may rea..."I could see a book about Manx early years and how he became who he is. Maybe show crimes he committed along the journey toward inventing Christmastown. Or even a book about why the wraith has meaning to him, how the car became a soul sucking machine
Barbara wrote: "Bob wrote: "I finished it a few days ago and it now resides in my top 5 all time best books. The ending I did figure out (sort of) but the entire journey was so very fun. I don’t read books twice b..."There is a graphic novel by Joe Hill called WRAITH that I haven't read yet. I know that the main character is Manx but don't know if the story occurs before or after NOS4A2. I own a copy and plan to read it after I finish the novel.
I've read up to the interlude that comes after page 191. The gas station encounter was grisly and shocking. Whew. I need a breather.
Michael wrote: "I've read up to the interlude that comes after page 191. The gas station encounter was grisly and shocking. Whew. I need a breather."Woooo! That's an incredible scene, Michael! A personal favorite.
I didn’t know that! Thanks for the tip!
This is one of the few books I know I will read againI have read Joyland by Stephen King 4 times
Jane Eyre to many times to count
The Dollanger series by VC Andrews 5 times
but most books are read once and put on a shelf waiting for someone to ask for it
of course there are books I collect and keep forever
Michael wrote: "Barbara wrote: "Bob wrote: "I finished it a few days ago and it now resides in my top 5 all time best books. The ending I did figure out (sort of) but the entire journey was so very fun. I don’t re..."Yes I have been waiting to find it
Phew, just finished. Wow, what a story. Loved it!
I Love all things about this book. Christmasland and Manx are just creepy as hell, but I really don't see how this lends itself to a show. Miniseries or a movie? yes please. But stretching this out would ruin what really is the best thing Joe Hill has done yet.
I also think it is Hill's best book.
Phil wrote: "I Love all things about this book. Christmasland and Manx are just creepy as hell, but I really don't see how this lends itself to a show. Miniseries or a movie? yes please. But stretching this out..."Don't watch it, so your version stays in your imagination
Such a great book. Joe Hill is very talented.
Monica wrote: "I find Bing disgusting!"For sure! He was very disturbing. ☹
Hello! I just started this book and I amd far behind. I read the first chapters about Vic, included 1986-1989. The story is good and the prologue is creepy and has been an adrenaline rush. The chapters about Vic, show an interesting supernatural idea and I wonder if it continue with the next chapters.
Uh, yeah, Bing was far more disturbing than Manx!Agreed, Phil. This story and characters are complex, and so adapting it would be challenging, to say the least. I'm curious, but I jusy hope AMC does it justice.
Andrew wrote: "Hello! I just started this book and I amd far behind. I read the first chapters about Vic, included 1986-1989. The story is good and the prologue is creepy and has been an adrenaline rush. The chap..."Welcome aboard, Andrew! Keep reading. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised by its momentum.
Good day!I thought some of you might be interested in reading my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Very in depth review. I agree on most points, we’ll done.
Great thoughtful review, Dustin.All of Hill's work reminds me of his father's writing but that doesn't diminish my appreciation for it. He's his own person, as evidenced by his use of a different name, and not King. Not his fault that everybody now knows who his dad is.
Strong writing regardless of the source or influences.
I'm a little past the half way point in my reading now. Just finished the second encounter between Vic and Manx. Another narrow escape, and anticipating the next encounter. Even knowing the inevitability (after reading the first confrontation) that they would meet again, I loved the background details on Vic's adult life and the changes in her circumstances and mental state that took up a good portion of this next section of the book. Great characterization all around. Readers must know (since it's not even a 1/3 of the way through) that Manx isn't done with Vic -- yet I developed such a sense of dread as the signs appeared (phone calls, etc) that I could sympathize with Vic's mental state 100%. That's some powerful writing when an author makes you feel like you're the character.
Bob wrote: "Very in depth review. I agree on most points, we’ll done."Thank you, Bob! That means a lot to me.:) I'm glad we agree on most points.
The same to you, Michael. The fact that you guys took the time to read it makes my day. I agree that Joe was clearly heavily influenced to sai King (and who wouldn't be, especially being raised by Steve and Tabitha,) and that he's his own person. I mean, for a decade he struggled to get published because he didn't want to be known as 'Stephen King's son." You can only imagine the criticism he would have received if he'd gone the opposite route.
However, for me, having a distinctive voice is important, and I want that for Joe, as every writer should have that. That is all.
Up to page 456 now, and taking a deep breath after the set of events. Vic and Lou are figuring out to do to find Wayne while their house is full of FBI agents investigating the alleged abduction and evaluating Vic's psyche at the same time. Love the analogy that sums up Vic's emotional turmoil:
"Choking to death on smoke was easier than feeling what she felt now, a kind of tearing inside that never stopped. She was a bedsheet, being ripped this way and that, and soon enough would be nothing but rags."
Beautiful.
I m around the same point. I love all the similes and metaphores hill uses. I hope i can finish tomorrow.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It was my first Joe Hill read and I will definitely be checking out more of his books. There were a lot of well integrated layers and the characters all felt very real and human to me, even Manx. Some real great, chilling imagery. One thing I can't decide if I liked or not: all the references to Stephen King's It. I saw at least 5, and part of me enjoyed the easter eggs and that this takes place in the same universe. On the other hand, I want Joe Hill to stand on his own & not feel like he has to borrow from his father's work.
I think Hill loves his dad, and the sly references to his dad’s stories are a homage. Hill probably loved his dad’s books, like we do.
I finished the book today and I loved! It's a wonderful adventure, structured on more layers. The main story with the girl that face the evil, but even the single caracter's stories: Vic's and Maggie's, their gift that is their curse, Bing with his solitude and Manx and his mission. I held my breath in the last chapters, with the story approached the end.I agree there are many clues that recall to mind some of King's books, but as in this case, it's the autor's skill that build a masterpiece and Joe Hill is a great author.
Not the first of his books I read and definitely not the last.
aPriL does feral sometimes wrote: "I think Hill loves his dad, and the sly references to his dad’s stories are a homage. Hill probably loved his dad’s books, like we do."I get the homage, but I think it's too much.
Horror Aficionados
Books mentioned in this topic
NOS4A2 (other topics)The Fireman (other topics)
NOS4A2 (other topics)
