Review: "Throttle"-By Stephen King and Joe Hill

[Randall Flagg]

First off, let me preface this by saying I am not erudite. Writing this short review has presented me with great angst, not to say an anxiety attack.

Thanks to Barry at Gauntlet Press for allowing me the chance to preview "He is Legend" and thus "Throttle". I have the obligation (thrill) to read all of the stories, but doubt I can provide a quality review of each and every one of them.

As Collector's I know we have great interest in this first Father-Son teaming of King and Hill.

In an anthology tribute to Richard Matheson-Ground breaking author, screenwriter extraordinaire, 15 authors contribute short stories to:

“He is Legend an anthology celebrating RICHARD MATHESON”

Each vignette-relating to an original Matheson story is a prequel, a sequel, an inspiration or a variation of Matheson’s work.
Additionally we are treated to “Conjure Wife”, Matheson’s collaborative original screenplay effort with Charles Beaumont. Matheson wrote the first half of the screenplay, Beaumont the second half. Adapted (scripted by Matheson, Beaumont and Fritz Lieber) and released in the 1962 as the USA titled "Burn Witch Burn" Revised by George Baxt the film is much different than the original screenplay presented here.


Now, on to what we as Stephen King, and Joe Hill collector’s are most interested in.

Stephen King and his youngest son Joe Hill, in their first collaborative effort write “Throttle”-an Inspiration, based upon Matheson’s renowned Duel-the 1960’s version of Road Rage pitting a solitary driver against a faceless man driving a fuel tanker on a remote highway. Scripted by Matheson, the story became Stephen Spielberg’s 1971 breakout film.

“Vince,” a Vietnam veteran and leader of the ten member motorcycle gang “The Tribe,” along with his son “Race”-an Iraqi war veteran escape a gruesome drug related crime scene, only to be faced with a life and death battle pitted against a faceless truck driver; piloting an 18-wheeled fuel tanker, who “Duels” with the gang on remote highways.

The relationship between Vince and Race is troubled to say the least. Through their battles however, their issues begin to tie into the final duel with the faceless trucker.

A brilliant father-son story by father-son King-Hill, this is a must read.


Anthology: 5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
Collection Value: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars,

FLAGG says “This is a must buy.”

[carlosdetweiller]

Good job on the review, Jerome. It's hard to step out of your comfort zone and do something like that for public consumption. I applaud you for it.

[Room 217 Caretaker]

First off, let me preface this by saying I am not erudite. Writing this short review has presented me with great angst, not to say an anxiety attack.

Thanks to Barry at Gauntlet Press for allowing me the chance to preview "He is Legend" and thus "Throttle". I have the obligation (thrill) to read all of the stories, but doubt I can provide a quality review of each and every one of them.

As Collector's I know we have great interest in this first Father-Son teaming of King and Hill.

In an anthology tribute to Richard Matheson-Ground breaking author, screenwriter extraordinaire, 15 authors contribute short stories to:

“He is Legend an anthology celebrating RICHARD MATHESON”

Each vignette-relating to an original Matheson story is a prequel, a sequel, an inspiration or a variation of Matheson’s work.
Additionally we are treated to “Conjure Wife”, Matheson’s collaborative original screenplay effort with Charles Beaumont. In 1967 Matheson wrote the first half of the screenplay, Beaumont the second half. Adapted (scripted by Matheson, Beaumont and Fritz Lieber) and released in the 1962 as the USA titled "Burn Witch Burn" Revised by George Baxt the film is much different than the original screenplay presented here.


Now, on to what we as Stephen King, and Joe Hill collector’s are most interested in.

Stephen King and his youngest son Joe Hill, in their first collaborative effort write “Throttle”-an Inspiration, based upon Matheson’s renowned Duel-the 1960’s version of Road Rage pitting a solitary driver against a faceless man driving a fuel tanker on a remote highway. Scripted by Matheson, the story became Stephen Spielberg’s 1971 breakout film.

“Vince,” a Vietnam veteran and leader of the ten member motorcycle gang “The Tribe,” along with his son “Race”-an Iraqi war veteran escape a gruesome drug related crime scene, only to be faced with a life and death battle pitted against a faceless truck driver; piloting an 18-wheeled fuel tanker, who “Duels” with the gang on remote highways.

The relationship between Vince and Race is troubled to say the least. Through their battles however, their issues begin to tie into the final duel with the faceless trucker.

A brilliant father-son story by father-son King-Hill, this is a must read.


Anthology: 5 Stars
Story: 5 Stars
Collection Value: 5 Stars
Overall: 5 Stars,

FLAGG says “This is a must buy.”

Very nice review RF. Well written.

Mulleins
Cumberland VA

[bast_imret]

Nice review. Looking forward to reading it!

[nt07077]

nice review, well written!

[wizardsrainbow]

Well done Jerome! So, does this mean you are no longer "semi-retired?"

[Nerak]

DAMMIT!! Now I REALLY want to read it!!!

Great Job!