Horns

Is Evil Necessary?

The title of Joe Hill's second novel encapsulates the problem facing its main character - Horns. Ignatius "Ig" Perrish wakes up after a hard night of drinking brought on by the one-year anniversary of his girlfriend's murder. He may not have his memories, but he does have horns. Actual, bony protuberances. A trip to the hospital finds the horns aren't the only unusual thing about Ig.

He has the ability to make people around him disclose their innermost thoughts, sinful fantasies and confessions of past and planned crimes. If he touches someone, he sees their sinful pasts. If he thinks about it, he can make them act on their worst desires.

The first people Ig listens in on confirm one of his worst fears. Everyone believes he's guilty of murdering and raping his girlfriend, Merrin. Even his parents who just wish Ig would go away. His brother, who hosts a late-night talk show, falls under the horns' spell and tells Ig who really murdered Merrin. And all of this happens in the first fifth of the book.

In a typical horror novel, Ig would embark on a quest to rid himself of the horns and seek justice. But Hill isn't a typical horror writer. Instead of rejecting the evil of the horns, Ig embraces it, finding it second nature to encourage people to act out their desires. Ig isn't a hero in the conventional sense of the word.

It could be hard to root for him to succeed - usually a reader cheers for the characters fighting the devil - but traditional good and evil don't apply here. Hill doesn't take a black-and-white view of the world in Horns; it's grey streaked with darks and lights. Perhaps the question underlying the novel's events is whether evil is necessary.

Where Hill hits his stride is in the extended flashbacks to younger versions of the main characters. The novel becomes a coming-of-age story where teenagers do stupid teenage things that create bonds between them lasting well into adulthood. The allure of cherry bombs sets off a chain of events that introduces Ig to Lee, who becomes his best friend and the third player in the Ig-Merrin relationship.

Lee has his own issues to deal with as an adult, and the clichés a lesser author might trot out never come to pass. The characters are complicated and fully realized. Even minor characters enter with a full history. The reader has the impression Hill knows all of his characters down to what brand of toothpaste they use. Hill's talented so he doesn't feel the need to put everything he knows down on the page. It's enough he knows and uses that knowledge to inform the choices the characters make.

The flashbacks can hold more attraction than the present-day pieces, but that may be because they tell the story of before Ig's life fell apart. As the horns become more important to who Ig is, the reader starts to look for signs Ig will find a way out, that good will prevail and innocence will take the day. These things happen . and they don't. Not all questions are answered by the last page. And the ones that are don't come with a nicely tied ribbon.

It's inevitable Horns will be compared with Hill's first novel, Heart-shaped Box. Whether one is better than the other is a matter of personal taste. The two novels are different, with Horns coming off as a little more fantastical and requiring a little more fantastical and requiring a little more suspension of disbelief. Regardless, Horns is an enjoyable read that leaves you anxious for another Joe Hill book.

7 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

Wow!!!!!!!!

At first I wasn't sure I like this book or the cast of characters. However, the more I read the more intrigued I became. This story is simply so original and unique that it stands alone in the horror genre. Joe Hill is a powerful writer and close to becoming one of my favorites. This book examines the evil in everyone, especially in those we love the most and we who think love us back.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Devil in the Details

After reading his short story collection, 20th Century Ghosts, you understand that Joe Hill can write anything and make it believable. And he should, since he is also Steven King's son. Horns, his second novel, is about the good and evil in all of us, about love and hate, about family and secrets, and about religion, philosophy, and revenge. The story focuses on a poor soul named Ig, who wakes up after a morning of debauchery with demonic horns on his head. They come with strange powers, and - like any gift of the devil - have consequences. As Ig learns to use the horns he is turned toward investigating the murder of his true love, Merrin, for which he was the prime suspect. You root for Ig, even as he becomes more demonic, and you loathe the villain, who is among the top creepiest you'll ever read. Horns is a great book, and Joe Hill is a major, major talent.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Joe Hill is the real deal . . .

Let me get right to the point . . . Horns by Joe Hill is one of my all-time favorite books. Joe Hill really knows how to tell a story. He held my attention throughout the entire book. When you have a creative plot with realistic characters plus a talented author who can weave a story you end up with a book that is worth your hard earned money. This is a great book from a great writer. A+ for Horns by Joe Hill.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

I love Joe Hill's books! He is a very talented author and I enjoyed Horns immensely!

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

This book was

Phenomenal. Joe Hill's ability to captivate the reader is beyond impressive. Finished this book in 2 days and I wanna read it again.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

super parable supernatural thriller

One year ago in Gideon, New Hampshire, Ignatius Parrish's perfect life as a second son of affluence died when someone murdered his beloved Merrin Williams. As he has much of the time since she died, Ig got drunk. Last evening intoxicated he visited the sight where her corpse was found. Outraged with the makeshift cross there as Jesus should have shown up a year ago, he rips down the artifact and urinates on it and his feet.

The next day he wakes up with a horrific headache, the "un-Merrin" Glenna Nicholson in bed, and horns on his head; the latter leads to his peeing on his feet for the second time in less than twelve hours. Ig assumes the horns are caused by either remaining drunk or mentally insane due to grief; a kind of pink elephant purgatory. Despondent, everyone even his family, who got the police inquiry aborted, assume he killed Merrin in a rage. He believes the horns are real and God has joined his family, friends, and others in deserting him; everyone except the devil. Ig realizes his horns come with power so he begins his investigation into who killed Merrin and his soul because he plans to send this monster on a one way ticket to hell shortly

This is a super parable supernatural thriller that looks deep at the dark side of humanity in which faith is not enough. Ig is a terrific antihero as he recognizes the devil's team cannot be the hero regardless since legend means more than good deeds. The support cast, especially the deceased Merrin, Glenna, and Ig's brother trumpeter Terry, add depth to an exciting paranormal whodunit. However, this is Ig's road to bear the trials and tribulations like a Job, but unlike a Job he chose the other side losing faith in a God who allowed his Merrin to die so horrifically.

Harriet Klausner

2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Demons are Human Too - In HORNS Anyway

The premise of the book is simple enough - Ig Perrish wakes up after a terrible night of binge drinking, while grieving for his murdered sweetheart, with horns growing on his head. But don't get fooled by this premise. Yes, the story could be called simple, yet the sense of humor, character development, emotional complexity and general "fun-ness" of the book elevates it to different level. Joe Hill is a great writer and he knows dialogue like nobody's business.

What I loved about this book, which I thought was better than Joe's other novel HEART-SHAPED BOX, are the characters. Despite the idea that they might have demonic or supernatural badness in them, they are also so humanly flawed and desirous of salvation. In the end, I think this is what made me like this book and Joe Hill so much. Even though he is touted as a horror writer, what sets him apart is his ability to see the redeeming qualities in people, especially when they're at their worst. Read Horns; you'll see what I mean.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Joe Hill just keeps getting better and better!

I have to start off by saying I'm somewhat of a "Fan-Boy." I've been a long time reader of Stephen King and fully believe he's the greatest writer of our time. When I heard that his son was a published author as well (and did it without disclosing his heritage until after the fact) I knew I had to see what he was all about. I started with Heart Shaped Box and then read 20th Century Ghosts. Both were amazing. Horns is no exception. From the very first chapter--a mere paragraph or so--Mr. Hill hooks you into wanting to keep flipping the pages, and this feeling never leaves. It's an odd story, full of some really sick and twisted characters, and Mr. Hill has no shame in putting onto the page the reality of things. Heart Shaped Box was a horror story, flat out, and a good one. Horns, doesn't seem so much as a horror story to me as it does a dark--very dark--psychological thriller with a supernatural/spiritual underbelly. It's a wild ride and it concludes with an ending that just seems perfect to have come somebody with the real last name of King.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic!

About a man who tries to do right, the world does him wrong- the wrong gets ahold of him...... it's thrilling, it's spellbinding, you want him to win! Even though the "Devil" makes him do it! It's a great book! You don't want to put it down...... He goes down an embankment behind a bunt out factory into a small lake - comes out burnt & ready for revenge- he's had enough of being the good guy, time for the devil to get his due & BOY does he! Did you know this is Steven King's son? Read his other book next, I recommend it also! BRAVO!!!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Joe Hill's new novel is a chip off the old horns

Horns is excellent. A completely original novel that truly allows you to have "sympathy for the devil." Joe Hill has definitely been inspired by his father's vision, but he is not by any means living in his shadow. Joe Hill has emerged as a horror author with his own voice, and I look forward to reading more of his horror fiction in the future.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Horns

HORNS by Joe Hill is the story of Ig, who wakes up after a night of drinking with horns growing out of his head. He soon also learns that he also has the ability to get people to tell him their deep dark evil thoughts. Everybody has evil thoughts don't they. But the reason Ig drinks is that his one true love, Merrin was raped and murdered and he was the prime suspect. Although he was never convicted, the town still believes he did it and he is treated as such. And now with his newly acquired power, he is determined to find the person who killed his girlfriend and redeem himself. So is this a horror story or not? Although the whole devil thing is a little perverse, deep down I feel this is a story of love, angst and redemption.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Instead of Suspense, Hill Keeps You Reading With Mystery

Hill's second book is a fast-paced, very rewarding read. Unlike in Heart-Shaped Box, where Hill maintained a propulsive narrative through suspense and dread, he relies instead on mystery, skillfully employing a variety of different character POVs to reveal the answers to the central mystery: who killed Merrin Williams, Ig's true love, keeping the reader turning pages nonstop to find out. With intriguing questions about the nature of evil, the bounds of love, and the dimensions of the mind and soul, Horns burns a hot fire that scorches itself on your imagination.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

All Kinds of Awesome!!

This book has EVERYTHING! Get ready to laugh and cry! Touching, beautiful, disturbing, heart-breaking and inspiring. Highly recommend this one. Joe Hill has the potential to be one of the great American writers of all time! Certainly the best of his generation!

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Movie

Did anyone know the makers of the hills have eyes is making this a movie right now

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great book!

Fun book with good twists!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Another Great book by Joe Hill.

After reading Heart Shaped Box and this I cannot wait for the next book by Joe Hill.

The concept and story of the book is fantastic, and Hill does a great job of building an emotion connection between the reader and the characters.

I highly recommend this book.

This book is excellent... DO NOT MISS IT!

I could not put this book down. Its was exciting, surprising, touching, and completely engaging. I hope that no one misses out on this book. Joe Hill is an excellent writer with a special way of presenting these characters. I am about to start reading Heart-Shaped Box. I am pretty certain that I will read everything he ever writes after reading Horns. ENJOY!

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Layered and divine

The only criticism I have for this book was its length. There were a few elements of the story that, if given a bit more attention, would have given me a sense of absolute completion. Even considering this very slight flaw, the story is amazing, and the characters will remain with me.

Original and sinfully enjoyable!

Containing one of the most original and intriguing premises I've ever read, Horns is a highly unusual book that explores the grey areas of good and evil using a mix of dark humor, the supernatural, and stark reality. It examines the ugly underbelly of human nature and forces us to consider our own personal demons. Horns was almost sinfully enjoyable and and a delightful guilty pleasure to read.

After a night of drunken debauchery, Ignatius Perrish wakes up to find that he has grown horns on his head. You would think that this would be fairly alarming for the people that see him, but one of the unusual powers these horns seem to possess is that of being overlooked or quickly forgotten by people. The more disturbing effect of these horns is that people who are within their range have the uncontrollable urge to confess their deepest darkest thoughts and wishes to Ignatius. This can be particularly problematic for Ignatius since most of these people believe he murdered his popular girlfriend and they generally do not think very nice thoughts about him nor do they wish him well. He explores the many facets to his newly acquired horns and discovers he can use them to not only find out what people really think, but also make suggestions that they are likely to act upon. Too bad about that free will thing, he can't seem to force people to do his bidding, only if its something they subconsciously want for themselves can he push them in any certain direction. He decides to use these powers to discover who really murdered the girlfriend who he loved more than anything. But what will he do when he finds the answers?

Most of the characters are highly unlikable but the story itself is compelling. The one thing that detracted from the book was the uneven pacing. While some of the book was edge of your seat exciting, other chapters crawled along at a snails pace. There were many times when I wondered where the author was going with the story as it seemed he was going off into areas that had nothing to do with the plot, but all the pieces fell into place by the end. With a writing style and creative subject matter that is reminiscent of his famous father as well as authors like Clive Barker, Joe Hill is definitely an author to watch out for. With his macabre sense of humor and perceptive notions of the darker aspects of the human personality, I'm sure there will be more darkly delightful books from this author.