39 pages • 1 hour read
Joe HillHeart-Shaped Box
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2007A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill, retired rock star Judas "Jude" Coyne and his girlfriend, Marybeth "Georgia" Kimball, are tormented by the ghost of the stepfather of Jude’s deceased ex-girlfriend, Florida, after purchasing a haunted suit. Their journey to escape and confront the vengeful spirit forces them to face their pasts and strengthens their bond. The novel includes discussions of anti-gay bias, sexual assault, suicide, and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Joe Hill’s Heart-Shaped Box is widely praised for its chilling atmosphere, compelling character development, and homage to classic horror elements. Readers appreciate Hill's ability to build suspense and deliver genuine scares. However, some critics find the plot occasionally predictable and the pacing uneven. Overall, it’s a strong debut that offers a fresh yet familiar horror experience.
Who Should Read Heart-Shaped Box?
Fans of The Shining by Stephen King or The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty will relish Heart-Shaped Box. Readers who appreciate gothic horror, intense suspense, and complex characters will be drawn to this chilling novel, where a rock star's haunted past comes vividly and disturbingly to life.