Originally published in 2005, 20th Century Ghosts was Joe Hill’s first collection of short fiction. After enjoying Heart-Shaped Box, I began this book with considerable anticipation. The opening story, “Best New Horror,” did not disappoint. Its premise felt fresh, the writing was excellent, and the story held my attention from beginning to end. The title story that followed was reasonably good as well, but from that point onward, my enthusiasm gradually diminished.
As I continued reading, I found myself scrolling through some of the stories instead of becoming absorbed in them. Hill’s writing remains polished, and there are imaginative ideas throughout the collection, but too many of the stories felt slight or insufficiently developed. Some read less like finished stories than promising drafts of ideas that might have become more satisfying with additional depth.
Part of the problem may have been a mismatch between the book’s presentation and its actual contents. I expected a collection of horror stories, but many of these pieces are closer to literary fantasy or drama with occasional supernatural elements. That is not necessarily a weakness in itself, but it was not the reading experience I had anticipated. The stories frequently seemed more interested in melancholy, symbolism, and emotional reflection than in horror.
“Pop Art” was one of the least successful stories for me. I understood what Hill was attempting to convey, but I did not find its symbolism particularly original or its ideas especially profound. I have read many similar stories that use an unusual or impossible central image in an attempt to explore friendship, difference, and loss. I can understand why this story affects some readers, particularly if they have not encountered this kind of narrative before, but it did not offer me any new or especially perceptive thoughts.
I was particularly looking forward to “The Black Phone” because I had already watched and enjoyed the film. Usually, a book or story provides more depth than its screen adaptation, but this was one of the rare cases in which I strongly preferred the film. The original story provides the central idea, but it is not nearly as deep, engaging, or emotionally fulfilling as the movie. The filmmakers did an excellent job of expanding the characters, relationships, suspense, and emotional stakes while preserving the disturbing premise. Reading the source story made me appreciate how much the adaptation added to it.
My feelings about 20th Century Ghosts are therefore mixed. Its opening demonstrated the originality and skill I had expected from Joe Hill, but much of the collection failed to maintain that standard for me. Perhaps short stories are simply not the form in which I appreciate his writing most. Heart-Shaped Box gave Hill the space to develop his characters, atmosphere, and ideas into a compelling novel; too many of these shorter works ended before they became equally absorbing. I still intend to read more of his novels, but this collection left me disappointed.
