In The Tall Grass is a Stephen King Joe Hill novella collaboration previously released as a two–parter within Esquire and recently released in e-book
and audiobook format. The
story begins when a brother and sister pull off to the side of the road after
hearing a young boy call for help from beyond the tall grass which forms the
title to the story. Within minutes they
have somehow become separated, disoriented and unaccountably lost. Gradually, they realise something is toying
with them, blurring the lines of reality, so that they end up travelling in
circles; close to one another and yet never able to reach one another, even
when apparently within close proximity and able to converse.
The premise of the situation is simple and touches upon
themes previously addressed within King’s works (Firestarter and Children of
the Corn come to mind in respect of the “tall grass”) and it works. We, the reader, are taken into dark
territory, here. The narrative is
disconcerting and, in places, physically and conceptually disturbing, without
getting spoiler specific – so, not for the faint at heart. Ultimately, both characters and situation
turn full circle, adding to the sense of a complete narrative arc and
claustrophobia of the scenario, from which, it seems, there is no escape. This leaves a lingering sense of the
inevitable on which to ponder as the story closes, as well as a possible need
to clean up from the gore. Chilling and
bloody.
As an added bonus, the e-book format includes excerpts from
the forthcoming Dr Sleep from King,
sequel to The Shining and the
beginning of Hill’s forthcoming NOS4R2. Incidentally, NOS4R2 is already on my TBR’s mental listing…
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