Heart-Shaped Box (novel)
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| Heart-Shaped Box | |
 Cover of US edition |
|
| Author | Joe Hill |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Susan Young |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Horror fiction |
| Publisher | William Morrow |
| Publication date | February 13, 2007 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 376 |
| ISBN | ISBN 978-0-06-114793-7 |
| Preceded by | 20th Century Ghosts |
| Followed by | Locke & Key |
Heart-Shaped Box is a 2007 debut horror novel by author Joe Hill.
Contents |
[edit] Plot Summary
Middle-aged rock star Judas Coyne collects morbid curios, so he doesn't think twice about buying a suit advertised at an online auction site as haunted by its dead owner's ghost. Only after it arrives does Jude discover that the suit belonged to Craddock McDermott, the stepfather of one of Coyne's discarded groupies, and that the old man's ghost is a malignant spirit determined to kill Judas in revenge for his stepdaughter's suicide. Judas and his girlfriend take to the road in an attempt to run from the ghost and to find a way to stop it, if they can.
[edit] Publication
Hill received a great deal of attention with the publication of Heart-Shaped Box. Subterranean Press published the advance edition of 500 copies and they sold out within days, long before publication. The limited signed and numbered 200 copies and 15 lettered copies are sought after by Joe Hill book collectors. A second printing of the limited edition was announced by Subterranean Press on April 14, 2007 and released in May 2007. The second printing sold out within hours of being announced. Hill went on an international tour promoting his book which ended in April 2007.
His previous book, 20th Century Ghosts, was only available through a UK publisher and was printed in very limited quantities (1,700 copies in total, 700 of which are signed).
Heart-Shaped Box peaked on the New York Times bestseller list at #8 [1], and has been reviewed by the New York Times[2] and Time magazine.[3]
[edit] References To Music
Throughout the book there are several references to hard rock/heavy metal:
- The title is the name of a Nirvana song.
- The character's name Judas can be a reference to the band Judas Priest.
- Judas' dogs are named Angus and Bon after Angus Young and Bon Scott of AC/DC, and Jimmy and Robert, after Jimmy Page and Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin.
- Each part of the book is named after a rock song: Black Dog (Led Zeppelin), Ride On (AC/DC), Hurt (Nine Inch Nails), and Alive (Pearl Jam).
- Judas' assistant is named Danny Wooten, which could be a reference to the bassist Victor Wooten.
- Coldplay's song "Yellow" and "I Hate Myself And Want To Die" by Nirvana are mentioned in the book.
- The bands My Chemical Romance, Foo Fighters, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Anthrax, and musicians Chuck Berry and Trent Reznor are also mentioned in the book.
- I Am The Walrus is mentioned by the character.
- Johnny Cash is mentioned in connection to the ghost's suit
[edit] Adaptations
The film rights to Heart-Shaped Box have been acquired by Warner Bros Studios; the film is to be scripted and directed by Irish director Neil Jordan and produced by Akiva Goldsman.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Hardcover Fiction - New York Times
- ^ BOOKS OF THE TIMES; Clothes Make The Man Scared - New York Times
- ^ The Son Also Frightens - TIME
- ^ Jordan will build 'Box' for Warners
[edit] External links
- Joe Hill's personal website
- Read a Heart-Shaped Box excerpt online
- Time Magazine review of Heart-Shaped Box
