by Cookie N Screen
I always lovely darkly morbid books. I really have. I was recounting my favourite book list for a project and each one that I have read has a similar vein – there are either gothic horror romps with bloody bits in their full form (The Gargoyle, Frankenstein), thrillers following unrelenting murders and intellectual trilobites between cop and villain (Silence of the Lambs) or have a sarcastic narrator at the helm of it (Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging). Most importantly, the hero at the core of it is probably not the most charming or angelic – enthused with visceral and destructive paths (Filth). So when Horns came into my possession, I have to admit, I was in glee that it seemingly combined all the pleasures I have when reading.
I always lovely darkly morbid books. I really have. I was recounting my favourite book list for a project and each one that I have read has a similar vein – there are either gothic horror romps with bloody bits in their full form (The Gargoyle, Frankenstein), thrillers following unrelenting murders and intellectual trilobites between cop and villain (Silence of the Lambs) or have a sarcastic narrator at the helm of it (Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging). Most importantly, the hero at the core of it is probably not the most charming or angelic – enthused with visceral and destructive paths (Filth). So when Horns came into my possession, I have to admit, I was in glee that it seemingly combined all the pleasures I have when reading.
The story, now to be released as a motion picture thanks to Lionsgate, follows the story of Ig Parrish – a rich boy from a legacy family who has caused a ruckus in his small town. See, Ig’s girlfriend Merrin has been raped and murder and for months, the crime was pinned on him. One day he wakes up, and finds that he has two protruding horns growing out of his forehead. And while many can see them, it seems they aren’t as repulsed or shocked by them as he is. In fact, in their very presence – they start to spout their darkest desires to Ig. Not to mention, if he tells them to do something, they do it. Can Ig use this to his advantage and track down Merrin’s killer?
Horns is a tough read. Not just because of the sensitive subject matter but Hill is wields the theology and drama with a might that, while excellent, takes you a few pages to enjoy. Heavy in the sick debauchery that boils under the skin of every suburban down happily biting their tongue, stripping away their silence makes tantalising read. After all, who wouldn’t want to hear the neighbours spout their inner secrets? Hill deftly handles this with an amusing tongue at the centre of it. He combines Ig’s deterioration into his hellish exterior with the determination to find the killer well and balances it all with a voice that spouts the horror garb with this fresh wit and astuteness. Though Ig unravels as those around him do so too, Hill makes it an exciting read, a page turner into the decadence of, not just man, but religion and God. Making sure that he swipes at many, while still making the story empathetic, Hill’s exciting work titillates along with its horrific descriptions.
Horns is a tough read. Not just because of the sensitive subject matter but Hill is wields the theology and drama with a might that, while excellent, takes you a few pages to enjoy. Heavy in the sick debauchery that boils under the skin of every suburban down happily biting their tongue, stripping away their silence makes tantalising read. After all, who wouldn’t want to hear the neighbours spout their inner secrets? Hill deftly handles this with an amusing tongue at the centre of it. He combines Ig’s deterioration into his hellish exterior with the determination to find the killer well and balances it all with a voice that spouts the horror garb with this fresh wit and astuteness. Though Ig unravels as those around him do so too, Hill makes it an exciting read, a page turner into the decadence of, not just man, but religion and God. Making sure that he swipes at many, while still making the story empathetic, Hill’s exciting work titillates along with its horrific descriptions.
Well, the Sorting Hat was right all along The only problem that Horn’s suffers from is its obviousness (From the beginning, you have already guess who has killed Merrin and that spoils it somewhat because you want to journey with Ig rather than meet him at the finish line. Though one could argue that dramatic irony is just as exciting – it means that those who want secrecy are delivered the defining punch too early. And the demonic element that is sprung on the first page is relentlessly pushed. There is no denying that Hill’s handling of underlining themes are delicately handled in some places – especially with Ig’s characterisation – sometimes there is just too much emphasis on how deformed Ig is becoming and that “he’s the devil” concept hits you around the head a couple of misplaced times.
That being said, the subtler twists within the book are daring, as is the initial idea. Hill’s writing is original, unique and is definitely pleasing to horror fans out there. It bounces in the shadows happily and is a defining tale of anti-heroism in fiction (the best kind). While Halloween draws closer, and Daniel Radcliffe’s face is set to fill Ig’s horns – the book is a modern gothic romp with a viperous tongue that can ensnare the most prudish of horror readers.
That being said, the subtler twists within the book are daring, as is the initial idea. Hill’s writing is original, unique and is definitely pleasing to horror fans out there. It bounces in the shadows happily and is a defining tale of anti-heroism in fiction (the best kind). While Halloween draws closer, and Daniel Radcliffe’s face is set to fill Ig’s horns – the book is a modern gothic romp with a viperous tongue that can ensnare the most prudish of horror readers.
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