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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
This book contains four long stories, two of them boring and unoriginal, one that was entertaining, and one that was the best novella I've ever read. The two boring ones ("Snapshot" and "Aloft") aren't really original ideas. "Snapshot" is another retelling of the common idea that cameras can steal parts of our soul with each picture taken, but the spin Hill puts on it is unoriginal and predictable. "Aloft" had an interesting concept, but not enough of it was explained or made sense by the time it wrapped. The entertaining novella, "Rain," was an extremely enjoyable read- the pace was terrific, the action constant, the plot interesting and absorbing, and none of it seemed like fluff details of inconceivable notion. That's rather hard for a story about crystal spikes falling from the sky, but Hill nails it. And that leaves us with "Loaded," which is hands down the best novella I've ever read. Not only is his prose beautiful and his random details enthralling and world-building, but the way he describes the rather tepid-moving action of the story and the slow degeneration of a shooter's mind was amazing. And that ending- what a killer.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Two of these really got me and two I found boring. Pretty standard stuff. My least favorite Joe Hill so far.
I think Joe Hill just keeps getting better and better. If you're a horror fan and you're not reading Joe Hill, you're doing yourself a real disservice. This book is a collection of 4 short novels: one is about 150-200 pages, and the others are less than 100 pages. Each story is electrifying and holds you and won't let go till the last page is read. "Snapshot" is about a strange man who has a Polaroid-like camera that erases memories, one click at a time. "Loaded" is about a man who is lauded as the hero of a mall-shooting, but who may have been pushed too far. "Aloft" is about a man who goes skydiving and lands on a cloud. "Rain" is an apocalyptic story about what might happen if the heavens opened up and rained crystalline spears instead of water. Each story is rendered more horrifying by the bits and pieces that make the tale seem more plausible. If you haven't read Joe Hill's books before, this is as good a place to start as any. There is colorful language, some references to sex, substance abuse, and a fair amount of violence.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Joe Hill’s Strange Weather is a collection of four short novels, each of which I’ve given short reviews of in my reading updates. Overall, I enjoyed this collection and found the stories to be imaginative, fantastical, and focused. However, I did find there to a lot of on-the-nose and heavy-handed language that undermined the themes outlined in the novels. If you’re looking for truly terrifying tales revolving around weather, you probably will want to skip this one. If you’re looking for intriguing character studies that use the environment as extended metaphor, you will greatly appreciate Strange Weather. My particular favorite was Rain!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
As a long-time (going back to the 60s) reader of horror fiction (and I use the term "horror" in the broadest sense, to include all things weird), I don't know why it's taken me so long to getting around to reading a Joe Hill book. Regardless of why, I have now completed my maiden voyage with Hill, and I look forward to joining him on more journeys into the macabre.
As Miss Sadie says (and Sadie reads them all, don't you know), not all stories need to be told with enough paper to destroy an ecosystem, and these 4 short novels -- only one of which breaks 100 pages -- are a testament to that fact. None of these feels rushed or incomplete. He provides all the characterization and plot development required to tell the stories, and no more. This is the trend, in the horror field, at least, I have noticed with publishers such as PS and Cemetery Dance, and I am grateful to them for that.
All four stories rate at least 4 stars, with me. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be "Aloft," as it gave off a strong Twilight Zone vibe (One Character In Search of an Exit), that's never a bad thing. Also, the ending was a satisfying change.
On a final note, kudos are due the author (or his editor) for his use of the word "stanch," instead of the universally mis-used "staunch," in stopping the flow of blood. I bet he also knows that "crescendo" is a journey, not a destination.
As Miss Sadie says (and Sadie reads them all, don't you know), not all stories need to be told with enough paper to destroy an ecosystem, and these 4 short novels -- only one of which breaks 100 pages -- are a testament to that fact. None of these feels rushed or incomplete. He provides all the characterization and plot development required to tell the stories, and no more. This is the trend, in the horror field, at least, I have noticed with publishers such as PS and Cemetery Dance, and I am grateful to them for that.
All four stories rate at least 4 stars, with me. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be "Aloft," as it gave off a strong Twilight Zone vibe (One Character In Search of an Exit), that's never a bad thing. Also, the
Spoiler
happy ever afterOn a final note, kudos are due the author (or his editor) for his use of the word "stanch," instead of the universally mis-used "staunch," in stopping the flow of blood. I bet he also knows that "crescendo" is a journey, not a destination.