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A review by vampirehelpdesk
20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Giving it a 5 because I’m grading on a curve. I’m grateful for nepo babies like Hill and also Brandon Cronenberg because I know they’ll keep their fathers’ spirits alive long after they’re gone.
While it does have some of King’s signature hard boiled sentimentality, Hill brings in a new kind of scumminess I enjoy. These are the tales of the boys born of King’s tough-guy-soft-centered fathers, and these boys are mean. They’re confused about their own emotions and as a result of their inner turmoil, they lash out, they spit venom, they doom themselves. There’s also a Bradbury-esque reflection towards nostalgia and watching boyhood heroes dim to quiet crescendos. Some stories are not fully baked, but I’d be a liar if I didn’t say I had a great time reading this.
While it does have some of King’s signature hard boiled sentimentality, Hill brings in a new kind of scumminess I enjoy. These are the tales of the boys born of King’s tough-guy-soft-centered fathers, and these boys are mean. They’re confused about their own emotions and as a result of their inner turmoil, they lash out, they spit venom, they doom themselves. There’s also a Bradbury-esque reflection towards nostalgia and watching boyhood heroes dim to quiet crescendos. Some stories are not fully baked, but I’d be a liar if I didn’t say I had a great time reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, and Child death