Discussion for 7-22-20; Aloft by Joe Hill
Jul 27, 2020 2:51:39 GMT
wireman, spideyman, and 1 more like this
Post by morgan on Jul 27, 2020 2:51:39 GMT
I finally finished this one today. Going to post a few comments before I read the thread. Didn't love this short story, but at least I could finish it. Unlike the last one. It was too "loaded." Hot topics and landmines, oh my.
This story could've been much shorter too. A LOT shorter. That being said, I'm grateful Joe gave us the last five pages or so. I was betting on an open interpretation-type finale. So, that was a pleasant surprise.
Thought about Dreamcatcher in the beginning when "the grey" was first mentioned. Also The Tommyknockers because of the mind control. This also had the feel of Joe's story Pop Art in 20th Century Ghosts (my favorite short story collection by far) for some reason.
As much as I appreciated the chutzpah that Aubrey gained toward the end, he was a difficult character to be invested in during the first half. I really didn't care enough. Too harsh? Maybe. On one hand I can imagine him living his future life to the fullest. On the other, who knows how much damage that crud he ingested did to his system. Did he end up with the "C" word too?
So relieved that the old-timey balloonists' love triangle murder/suicide was added. My interest was piqued at that point. Even though, once the balloon was discovered it was fairly obvious what was going to happen.
But, the story was weird and that's a good thing. I thought the old guy at the end on the highway was going to be Charlie Manx.
This story could've been much shorter too. A LOT shorter. That being said, I'm grateful Joe gave us the last five pages or so. I was betting on an open interpretation-type finale. So, that was a pleasant surprise.
Thought about Dreamcatcher in the beginning when "the grey" was first mentioned. Also The Tommyknockers because of the mind control. This also had the feel of Joe's story Pop Art in 20th Century Ghosts (my favorite short story collection by far) for some reason.
As much as I appreciated the chutzpah that Aubrey gained toward the end, he was a difficult character to be invested in during the first half. I really didn't care enough. Too harsh? Maybe. On one hand I can imagine him living his future life to the fullest. On the other, who knows how much damage that crud he ingested did to his system. Did he end up with the "C" word too?
So relieved that the old-timey balloonists' love triangle murder/suicide was added. My interest was piqued at that point. Even though, once the balloon was discovered it was fairly obvious what was going to happen.
But, the story was weird and that's a good thing. I thought the old guy at the end on the highway was going to be Charlie Manx.
