Not all that glitters is gold – a review of the novel “Horns”

Rich playboy

Ig Perrish has never had to worry about money and therefore his future. As the son of a famous musician and TV star, he could choose from many paths. In love with Merrin Williams, he made plans for the future, but – as is usual in the novels of Stephen King and his son, Joe Hill – not all that glitters is gold. The beloved of the main character is brutally raped and murdered … On the anniversary of the murder, Ig gets drunk and loses control of his fate. In the morning he wakes up and to his surprise he notices a physical change: his horns have grown. This gift from fate will change his life forever, especially since it is not only a physical, but also an emotional dysfunction. The giant hangover is a piece of cake compared to what will come next! Don’t be discouraged by the pace of action (well, it’s not lethal …), because it’s worth waiting a while for the best. GiveRogom a chance, and you will surely appreciate the atmosphere of the story. I do not hide that the plot of the novel will be determined by the love thread, but contrary to appearances, not only a personal tragedy will attract your attention. As the title itself reveals, the stories about the devil must not lack some artifacts, attributes and symbols. This is what the novel is like – ambiguous, but very addictive.

Joe Hill – Slowly, steadily, forward

Being a writer is a real treat. Being a writer and son of Stephen King is a real honor, but also a huge responsibility! The readers’ expectations may turn out to be extremely high. After reading the Heart-shaped Box and Strange Weather , it’s time for the Horns . The criminal plot that dominates the novel was initiated in a very attractive way – the reader initially knows little about the perpetrator of Williams’ murder, moreover, he also does not know the main character and cannot be sure whether his version of events is the real one. Remaining in a climate of uncertainty and ambiguity, the viewer wanders in the plot meanders, expecting … well, what? Happy ending? A trivial ending? No. Pen fantasy and King’s heritage. Oh yes,The horns are just that – they engage and engage the reader, even though they are more of a crime fiction than a horror movie. The hero’s dark desires are discussed against the background of moral and metaphysical aspects (their detailed presentation, however, takes the lion’s share of the novel, which influences the pace of the action). Hill quickly tells us the mystery of the murder of the main character’s girlfriend, and then adds meaning to keep reading. Efficiently.

Only my Horns !

Fantastic edition with an outstanding cover! The resumption of Hill’s novel turned out to be a bull’s eye! The cover, designed by Piotr Cieślikowski from Dark Crayon, is a real masterpiece. Thanks to it, the book will catch the eye in the bookstore, even if it is not particularly exposed. A good translation of Maciejka Mazan, known from the translations of, among others novels by Philip K. Dick, Ursula K. Le Guin, Stephen King and CS Lewis are also a huge plus of the reviewed edition! HornsAlthough they are less than five hundred pages, they read extremely quickly, so you will not look back and you will finish. But, as they say, nothing can last forever. See if you and Hill will find answers to questions about human nature – both good and horned.

PS The book, published by Albatros, was filmed in 2013, and the main role was given to Daniel Radcliffe.