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A review by labunnywtf
20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
3.0
Mm.
I am super super glad this wasn't the first Joe Hill book I've ever read. It's not that the stories are bad, by any means. They're just not my type of stories. I was excited for this because I'm a horror story buff, and Hill is a master of horror. Period.
And in the introduction, written by the incredible Christopher Golden, he tells me up front that these are not horror stories, at least not in the conventional sense. So, I was warned. But still. These were just not my cup of tea. Let's go down the list.
Best New Horror - The closest to conventional, and so meta it hurts. This was a great introductory story. Seriously, I can't even tell you what it's about, it's so meta you have to read it for yourself. If my review leads you to not want to read the whole book, at least seek this one out.
20th Century Ghost - A ghost story. Literally. But not scary. Sweet, actually.
Pop Art - So bizarre. But really, really great. And sad. So, so sad.
You Will Hear The Locust Sing - I don't like bugs. I really, really don't like bugs. So, this one kind of had my skin crawling. But the sympathy I had for the main character was oddly intense.
Abraham's Boys - An amazing side story to the traditional Dracula tale. Absolutely worth the read.
Better Than Home and Bobby Conroy Comes Back From The Dead - Skip it.
The Black Phone - Not nearly as good as it could have been.
In The Rundown - You will spend a lot of time saying, "What are you doing, you idiot?"
The Cape - The only story with a real twist. And it's pretty fantastic.
Last Breath - SO WEIRD. But I really loved it. And want to know more about this museum.
Dead-Wood - Short, almost a poem. I listened to it twice. Beautiful, and one that might stay with you as it did with me.
The Widow's Breakfast - Uncategorical. Google says that's not a real word. I'm using it anyway.
My Father's Mask - I don't get it. Not even a little.
Voluntary Committal - I agree with Christopher Golden on this one, it is very reminiscent of Ray Bradbury. I believe this is the longest story in the bunch, and it's worth it.
Scheherazade's Typewriter - The hidden story. As someone who reads both the introductions and the acknowledgements, I loved how this one was hidden. And it's possibly my favorite? Also a ghost story, but a sweet and sad one.
I am super super glad this wasn't the first Joe Hill book I've ever read. It's not that the stories are bad, by any means. They're just not my type of stories. I was excited for this because I'm a horror story buff, and Hill is a master of horror. Period.
And in the introduction, written by the incredible Christopher Golden, he tells me up front that these are not horror stories, at least not in the conventional sense. So, I was warned. But still. These were just not my cup of tea. Let's go down the list.
Best New Horror - The closest to conventional, and so meta it hurts. This was a great introductory story. Seriously, I can't even tell you what it's about, it's so meta you have to read it for yourself. If my review leads you to not want to read the whole book, at least seek this one out.
20th Century Ghost - A ghost story. Literally. But not scary. Sweet, actually.
Pop Art - So bizarre. But really, really great. And sad. So, so sad.
You Will Hear The Locust Sing - I don't like bugs. I really, really don't like bugs. So, this one kind of had my skin crawling. But the sympathy I had for the main character was oddly intense.
Abraham's Boys - An amazing side story to the traditional Dracula tale. Absolutely worth the read.
Better Than Home and Bobby Conroy Comes Back From The Dead - Skip it.
The Black Phone - Not nearly as good as it could have been.
In The Rundown - You will spend a lot of time saying, "What are you doing, you idiot?"
The Cape - The only story with a real twist. And it's pretty fantastic.
Last Breath - SO WEIRD. But I really loved it. And want to know more about this museum.
Dead-Wood - Short, almost a poem. I listened to it twice. Beautiful, and one that might stay with you as it did with me.
The Widow's Breakfast - Uncategorical. Google says that's not a real word. I'm using it anyway.
My Father's Mask - I don't get it. Not even a little.
Voluntary Committal - I agree with Christopher Golden on this one, it is very reminiscent of Ray Bradbury. I believe this is the longest story in the bunch, and it's worth it.
Scheherazade's Typewriter - The hidden story. As someone who reads both the introductions and the acknowledgements, I loved how this one was hidden. And it's possibly my favorite? Also a ghost story, but a sweet and sad one.