Ok, so I read the first story in the book expecting to pee my pants after what Andy said about it being terrifying, but I actually really liked it!
Did anyone think of Neil Gaiman's Coraline when reading the summary of Peter Kilrue's story? I had a flashback as soon as I saw the word "Buttonboy" and then learned that he had pins over his eyes.
Also....Texas Chainsaw Massacre, anyone? Haha, as soon as Carroll pulled up the driveway at the Kilrue place, I had another moment. The whole Texas Chainsaw/Devil's Rejects vibe came over me.
I can't help but wonder if Hill did this on purpose, though? This book was published in 2005, after Coraline (2002) and LONG after the original TCM. I think that he pulled a Kelly Link, purposely wanting us to be reminded of these horror stories while we were reading, just as the narrator seems to read the same stories over and over as an editor.
I really enjoyed this story. Anyone agree?
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Actually the story he read in the story kind of reminded me of "Closet Dreams". I haven't seen Coraline yet so I can't really say on that, except for the buttons.
ReplyDeleteHe references Gaiman directly in this story doesn't he? So it would make sense then that he might be trying to make us think of some of these other stories.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely the Gaiman reference would make sense that he would be doing that. This story made a lot of popular horror stories run through my head. The whole villain disguised as a police officer scene is a very popular one. I liked it nonetheless though. The old lady in the back room though really creeped me out.
ReplyDeleteWell, Andy said that one was going to be the scariest...and I didn't think it was that scary. Creepy, sure, but not like nightmare-inducing. After finishing the whole book, I suppose it was one of the scarier ones though, but I enjoyed it as well.
ReplyDeleteyeah...the only reference I remember of Neil Gaiman was when Eddie's daughter met Gaiman at one of those fantasy conventions, and that they still write to each other?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this story by the way...best one so far that I've read.
I think the scary part comes from the girl somewhat enjoying the abduction and rape.
ReplyDeleteAs stated in the text, she would awake from her dreams aroused.
This is a totally uncontrollable reaction but I can understand that it would inspire deep shame and self loathing.
Also, that she submits to capture reveals just how crappy her life had become, when an existence among psychopaths is a relief from the everyday torture of "normal" life
So are the villians the two in the police car, or the people who had nothing but contempt for the mutilated girl?
And then to have the frame setting, that's what makes this story special. I particularly enjoyed the contrasts between the very formulaic and trite outter story and the fresh and unpredicatable inner story.
ReplyDeleteThe "Closet Dreams"/"Buttonboy" parallel is a good paper idea for somebody. (As are other posts in this thread, and in other Joe Hill threads.)
ReplyDelete