If you were to read Heart-Shaped Box, you might not be surprised to learn that author Joe Hill is the son of Stephen King. It contains several elements often found in his father’s work. Unfortunately, one of those elements is a convenient, unsatisfying ending.
Itzkoff carefully documents the assorted rises and falls throughout Robin’s career that ranged from early Shakespearean theater, television, stand-up, film, Broadway, and more, and there is an interesting and disappointing surprise when you add it all up: there were far more falls than rises.
The book is crafted to appear as if an outsider moves to the quaint Georgia city of Savannah, meets some locals, learns their stories, gets to know them, and it’s all fun and games until someone gets shot.
There’s nothing about State of Wonder that would have spurred me to read it other than my daughter’s answer when I asked for a good book to read. Now, if you ask me, “Read any good books lately?” I have one for you.
“It could be argued that the first 80% of the book is a setup to compare his leadership and that of others to Trump. The contrast is clear, undeniable, and necessary to qualify his portrayal of the current President as more of a “mis-leader” than a leader.”
“Overbearing parents and demanding workouts are common chapters in success stories. What is not common is for someone who suffered to those things to come out on the other side as contrite, introspective, and pleasant…”
Stephen King: “…one of the finest horror novels of the late 20th century.”
Wall Street Journal: “…widely regarded as the greatest haunted-house story ever written.”
Me: “Umm, no.”
William Reinhardt Deutsch, a millionaire on his deathbed, wants to know if spirits, ghosts, or other paranormal phenomena are real, and he knows the best place to find an answer – Hell House.
When a significant piece of literature is presented, it’s usually better to read it and have an educated opinion than to not read it at all, even if you’re disappointed about the time and effort given. Considering the impact of To Kill a Mockingbird, this is one of those literary pieces, and you should read it.
It’s not a surprise that publishers balked at the book because of the graphically described sex. By today’s standards, of course, it’s not even something to blink at. In the 40’s, however, it would have been passed around in a plain brown wrapper.
brainsnorts inc. 