Joe Hill - Horns

[H_P_Saucecraft]

Joe Hill - Horns (Gollancz 2010)

Another potential review. I really enjoyed Hill's 'Heart Shaped Box' & his Short story collection '21st Century Ghosts', so when I saw this in the library I was straight on it.

Cover & Blurb:

Edward Bettison

[H_P_Saucecraft]

I'm Just over 100 pages in & 'Horns' is easily as good as 'Heart Shaped Box'.

The effect of the Horns of the title start off as an almost fun ability & even tempts Ig into a bit of mischief with them, as people speak their true mind & ask Ig what they should do. But it quickly turns sinister, as he finds out his family's true feelings about him, with only his brother as supportive as he appeared.

Into memory/flashback territory at the moment, with events from Ig's teenage years.

So far, very good. Certainly not an ability I'd want, it may seem good, but when you can't turn it off, you may find out something you didn't want to & the story has made me a bit paranoid .

[H_P_Saucecraft]

100 pages left to go (of 435) & it's getting really addictive. More interludes from Ig's past, which explains a lot & Ig is realising the horns have more powers than he thought, though not necessarily helpful ones.

Lee Tourneur, is certainly turning out to be a great 'hate him' character - Ig's childhood friend, who reformed & became heavily involved with a congressman's church/religious work, after being caught with loads of stolen goods (Tourneur, not the congressman). But it's all just a veneer, that hides the manipulative sociopath he really is.

In less skilled hands, the snapping back to the past & then back to the present, would really grate, but it really works here & fleshes the story out nicely. I don't think chronological order would have worked here.

[H_P_Saucecraft]

A great last 100 pages, with the almost reverse narrative working well. There's no way back for Ig now, he's becoming something else entirely thanks to the horns. But Ig knows this is the way it must be, but tourneur won't be getting away with it. A bittersweet ending rounds it off nicely & is perfectly in keeping with what went before.

Having read both of Hill's novels & his short story collection, I can conform he's well worth your time. I also have respect for him, for not revealing he is Stephen King's son until he was established & not relying on his father's name.

Edit: I stand corrected, been informed that ALLEGEDLY they did know & it was leaked shortly after.