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megadeathvsbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Hill's other short stories that he has released lately really packed a punch. But this one just seemed overly subtle, to the point where it didn't really do much at all.
smashton12's review against another edition
4.0
Abrupt and sad, but I should have seen that going in.
lindapatin's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
kandicez's review
4.0
A young, precocious ten year old finds...something washed up on the beach.
Hill does a great job narrating in the voice of a child. I love stories narrated by them, especially when they are believable children. Gail, our storyteller, is very believable. She is very intelligent and full of budding emotions which add to the sweetness of the tone.
She leaves the house to escape her parents' hangovers and three siblings bickering. On the beach she climbs a large "boulder" that she has never seen before and is joined by her friend Joel and his younger (bratty, is there another kind?) brother. Joel and Gail, who are obviously very taken with each other, soon discover that this is NOT a boulder. They fantasize what riches and fame will come their way because of it. Because it's a Hill story, it does not end happily.
I love that Hill is a confident enough writer to give us the bare bones of what has happened and then simply ends the story. He does not sum up. He supplies no conclusion, detail or repercussions. We get to fill all that in ourselves. In return for the trust we place in him, the writer, he trusts us, the readers, to fill in those blanks in a satisfactory way. Or not. :)
This story very much reminded me of Neil Gaiman and had I read it not knowing who wrote it I would have guessed him right off the bat. The closest story Hill has written to this "feel" is Pop Art and that happens to be one of my favorite short stories ever, so it's in good company.
Well worth the wait and 20 minute investment.
Hill does a great job narrating in the voice of a child. I love stories narrated by them, especially when they are believable children. Gail, our storyteller, is very believable. She is very intelligent and full of budding emotions which add to the sweetness of the tone.
She leaves the house to escape her parents' hangovers and three siblings bickering. On the beach she climbs a large "boulder" that she has never seen before and is joined by her friend Joel and his younger (bratty, is there another kind?) brother. Joel and Gail, who are obviously very taken with each other, soon discover that this is NOT a boulder. They fantasize what riches and fame will come their way because of it. Because it's a Hill story, it does not end happily.
I love that Hill is a confident enough writer to give us the bare bones of what has happened and then simply ends the story. He does not sum up. He supplies no conclusion, detail or repercussions. We get to fill all that in ourselves. In return for the trust we place in him, the writer, he trusts us, the readers, to fill in those blanks in a satisfactory way. Or not. :)
This story very much reminded me of Neil Gaiman and had I read it not knowing who wrote it I would have guessed him right off the bat. The closest story Hill has written to this "feel" is Pop Art and that happens to be one of my favorite short stories ever, so it's in good company.
Well worth the wait and 20 minute investment.
sjj169's review
3.0
*somewhat spoilery* Because...beer
Gail's mom has a hangover so she wants the loud girls of her's out of the house. Gail heads down to the lake near their home and meets up with her buddies, Joel and his brother. They realize that the large rock they have been playing on is not really a rock.
There have been mumblings around their town about a monster that lives in the lake. An American version of the famous monster?
Gail and Joel are going to be famous! They bet their pictures will get in the paper. They bet they will become rich.
I know..I did not spoil anything. But to be on the safe side I posted the warning. Because....whiners
I'm highlighting my friend Richard reviles censorship's review because it makes me smile every day that he is back on the internet with us.
Gail's mom has a hangover so she wants the loud girls of her's out of the house. Gail heads down to the lake near their home and meets up with her buddies, Joel and his brother. They realize that the large rock they have been playing on is not really a rock.
There have been mumblings around their town about a monster that lives in the lake. An American version of the famous monster?
Gail and Joel are going to be famous! They bet their pictures will get in the paper. They bet they will become rich.
I know..I did not spoil anything. But to be on the safe side I posted the warning. Because....whiners
I'm highlighting my friend Richard reviles censorship's review because it makes me smile every day that he is back on the internet with us.
mouwuol's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
clawhorn15's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
robport's review against another edition
4.0
Too short, but very enjoyable. I thought the children were written beautifully, their little world away from parents described and presented to perfection.
dylanperry's review against another edition
4.0
Another wonderful story from Joe Hill. I was hooked from the first page. The story of a couple kids discovering the body of a dinosaur on the beach was nostalgic, imaginative, and ultimately bittersweet.
I see some people did not care for the ending, and I completely understand why. For me, it was fine.
Now back to waiting for Joe's next book, THE FIREMAN...
4/5
I see some people did not care for the ending, and I completely understand why. For me, it was fine.
Now back to waiting for Joe's next book, THE FIREMAN...
4/5