Booth #5: ThoRns Grove - Where Books Eat YOU

[Thorngrub]

Lucky thing Dad's Lisey's Story is compelling me to keep reading it. . . otherwise, I'm so pumped for this Joe Hill novel that ol' Dad's goan be lookin' in his rearview, seein' his own son pullin' up in the passing lane ! "Out the way ol' Man", gunnin' his engine w/a wicked smile behind the wheel.

That pic of Joe Hill on the back flap of the jacket - yeah, a chip off the ol' block for sure.

So anyway, yeah, it's pedal-to-the-metal w/ Lisey's Story, now. Gotta finish it ASAP for the Heart Shaped Box ~ !

[TheLady]

Glad you got it, Thorny. I'm about 1/3 of the way through and it ROCKS -- got my quiz out of the way, now I have to work on a project to turn in tomorrow morning arhjrjgjhggh... but after that, it'll be smooth sailin'.

[Thorngrub]

So, d'ya really think it's based on Jonathan ? W/the wee bit o' skimmin' I've done, coupled w/remarks made by yourself & some others online, I'd say *definitely*, but I guess we won't know until, what -? -- the end ?

Maybe there's a clue as to which "ALIVE" the author means to cite . . . .

[TheLady]

I thought the fact that Judas Coyne owns John Wayne Gacy artwork cinched it, because Jonathan has specifically mentioned he owns JWG's clown suit. He would probably buy a haunted suit off the Internet in a minute! I really have no doubts he got the idea from JD, but I don't think the character is really based on him. I suppose Hill could get sued for that?

Although, I must admit, even though the character is supposed to be much older than Jonathan and all, it's still him I'm imagining as I read it...

[Thorngrub]

Yeah, and who else fits the bill of "a middle aged rock star with a legion of fans" who "collects morbid curios for fun" - ? Definitely JOnathan.

A little more'n halfway thru Lisey's Story, and lemme tell ya - it is fuckin' straight up excellent. It starts to really creep under your skin at about the halfway point, Stephen King has earned the title of "Master" who knows just how to deliver the fright, I am more than impressed, I am moved reading this novel.

It's as if he has dropped all the "trappings" of monsters, and instead turned his Eye For Darkness on an "ordinary marriage" to let us peer underneath the skin & into the roiling, squirming shadows within - really impressive.


Joe Hill's got a looooooong way to go afore he catches up to his Old Man . . .

[TheLady]

Let me tell ya, though, Hill has his dad's way of making your blood freeze up in your veins. It's creepy as hell. He might have a long way to go, but he's on his way, that's for sure.

[Thorngrub]

That is sure great to hear, m'Lady. Like they say, the apple don't fall far from the tree . . .

I can't stand having to WAIT to read Heartshaped Box ! Thank goodness Lisey's Story is compelling me to keep reading, otherwise I'd toss it aside to sink my teeth into Joe Hill's book.

Soon.

[Thorngrub]

and I gotta stop and ask: Whoever the hell is claiming that King no longer writes horror . . . obviously ain't read his coupla latest. [CELL/ LISEY'S STORY] He's still delivering the chills, as far as I'm concerned. Lisey's Story is a great read.

[TheLady]

I finished HSB Friday night. Loved it! Hopefully we'll see a lot more from Mr. Hill.

[Thorngrub]

Based on the few rave reviews of his debut I've read, coupled w/the radius of the apple fallen from the tree, I'd wager we're in for the long haul w/Mr. "Hill".

Won't be long afore I get to delve into his Heartshaped Box . . .

*psYched*

[Thorngrub]

It was good. There was only ONE problem I had with it, and it was a problem that I think has plagued King before, when he gets right down to the very end. Cuz the problem (which I won't spoil for you here) occurs not until you've reached page 450 or so. And there's only about 500 pages in it.

That can come as quite a disappointment, when you've been eagerly digesting every page of a book, when out of the blue finally something pops up which you don't jive with.

But to be honest - - the remaining 50 odd pages after this questionable event - do a lot towards re-establishing a sense of being okay with it, in the reader.

So when I finally closed the book, my uncomfortableness was more or less wiped away, but of course the taste was still in my mouth.

For this reason, I'd have to deduct a star or so from the overall rating, which might've achieved 4 or 4-and-a-half out of 5 stars. It doesn't seem fair to give it 3 or even 3-and-a-half stars, so I'd probably settle for a 4 out of 5 star rating for LIsey's Story.

Honestly -? I get the feeling if King had stayed completely away from the supernatural/fantastical elements, the book may have garnered the additional star it so nearly achieved. And on the other hand, there was something cool about the fact that Lisey's STory DOES venture into old, familiar King territory, so what am I gunna do ? *shrug*, I guess.

It was a grand read, flawed of course but isn't that part of the King signature -? I think mayhaps all his books are fundamentally flawed . . . because they were written by him. But isn't that where the light catches, off the flaws in the gemstone ? Yes. No wonder I love the guy so much.


I'd recommend Lisey's Story to anyone. If you read it and don't like it, don't blame me. At least you read a book.

[Thorngrub]

So far, so good. The prose is lean, and the narrative mean and focused. Joe Hill, unlike his old man, gets right down to it, with the exposition of the story. Chapters are short and sweet, and finely chiseled. There is a feeling of menace in the writing which I admire. He inherited that ability from his old man for sure.

Can't wait to see what happens . . .

[Thorngrub]

I can't wait to revisit this modern literary masterpiece:



Side-by-side size comparison of the Absolute Edition (left) and the 20-year-old standard size hardback (right).


Absolute Edition dust jacket (left) and slipcase (right).





Side-by-side comparison of the recolored Absolute Edition (top) and the original (bottom).

[Thorngrub]

ABSOLUTE WATCHMEN retails for $75.00, but I've got

~a $10 Barnes & Nobles certificate
~ a 25% Off 1 Book @ Barnes & Nobles.

This will bring the total price for me down to about $49.50, tax included. It's a sweet deal
for a deluxe treatment of a durable masterpiece.

Everyone should read this thing. ABSOLUTEly everyone

[Thorngrub]

*sisy, take note* :


***** A tour de force of literature, philosophy, 20th century culture... in a comic? Yes., March 12, 2007
Reviewer: Reviewer (USA) - See all my reviews

You might think of comics as melodrama or action that should kick into high gear right away and fill you with thrills, right? Well, Alan Moore thumbs his nose at you in this seminal graphic novel that isn't about your typical Super Heroes, it's about Super Heroes if they existed in the real world of ultra noisy global politics, economy, and media as human beings. It's particularly about the nuclear panic of the 80's.

If you're worried it will all seem cliched to read now that it's about out it's particularly 80's elements, don't be. The story doesn't stand on just the confusion on those years, it stands on the fact that Moore is a master of fiction who's going to immerse you in an alternative world for purposes you will not be able to unravel as simply as if it were a comic book. In short, it's a work of high literature, not pulp, and you need to read it to see what all the fuss is about.

~


***** Great even after all these years, February 22, 2007
Reviewer: Manuel B. Borges - See all my reviews

I rarely run across a graphic work that is truly excellent.
This is one of them.
This is not a story of superheroes , per-say.
It is a story of how flaws drive people, how flawed characters can still produce good among the evil they struggle with.
I especially enjoyed the symbolism and use of imagery.
Dr Manhattan is an obvious symbol of God, with thoughtful and realistic portrayal.
At one point a character brutally murders a Vietnamese woman who is carrying his child while standing right next to the Dr. Arguably one of the most horrible things a person is capable of. After the character asks Manhattan why he didn't stop him if he knew it was going to happen? Manhattan doesn't even respond. But you understand that it is not his responsibility to interfere in the lives of men unless asked to. He doesn't cause evil, but he doesn't prevent it. The evil of men exists apart from God.

The different characters are painted with a dirty and human brush and ring true in their actions and words.


~

***** Best Graphic Novel Ever, January 27, 2007
Reviewer: Ainvar "gurneyhalleck" (Allston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

I'm sure that the Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons would agree--Alan Moore's "Watchmen" is among the great works of human literature. The Hugo award that it won is partial proof of this statement, and it's inclusion in Time magazine's list of the 100 greatest English language novels from 1923 to present is more proof.

But the real proof is in the pudding as they say. "Watchmen" plays with so many themes and ideas about the nature of the human race that it would be tedious to list them here. Suffice it to say that it is a deep work, worthy of repeated readings. And because it's a graphic novel, it's very easy to read and plumb the depths of Moore's story.

Which makes the Absolute Edition such a necessary thing for any hardcore fan of the book. The digitally restored and recolored art jumps out from the heavier paper pages. The bonus material at the end gives a view of the genesis of the story. But most importantly, it's sturdy construction will endure repeated readings, and the heavy slipcase will protect the book while it sits there looking good on your bookshelf. This is one copy of the book that you won't lend out to a friend, never to be seen again.

~


*back to thoRny*

Yeah, just like my Slipcased hardcover of Alan Moore's LOST GIRLS, I won't be lendin' out this puppy to anyone. Ya wanna read my copy ? Fine. But I'm leashin you to tha couch until yer done. I'll even fetch beers for you and keep the music going on the record player. But you sure as hell ain't leavin' my house w/this tucked under your arm. ;D