Anoka by Shane Hawk,
Seweryn Jasiński (Cover Illustrator)
There is something special about the horror collection about a single creepy town. King did it with Castle Rock, Charles Grant Oxrun station, and just last year Josh Malerman wrote about Goblin Michigan. So lets stay in the Midwest Anoka Minnesota. This is the debut collection for Shane Hawk who is a local writer here in San Diego. This is a short-themed horror collection that highlights Hawk’s natural talent. It is amazing that 6 short stories, including two flash fiction, has kicked started a serious career but Shane Hawk is a natural talent and his knowledge of literature and the genre drips off the page so the surprise should end quickly.
All six stories are strong with the most powerful story for me was 'imitate.' The book comes with a serious and thoughtful introduction written by the author, that explains the concept. There are story notes in the back. A practice many authors use in collections. I have used it myself and I am a fan of the practice. Let's come back to those notes later.
The first story Soilbourne is a very short story that hinges mostly on the power of the final moments. It is a good opener for showing Hawk’s ability to write with heart. The story helps set the stage with parents’ joy for children, thus making the gut punch at the end more powerful.
The second story Wounded is where Hawk draws heavily on the influence of his indigenous heritage. The story plays with character and setting really well. Those who read for diverse experiences and voices will be happy that they picked up this book and this is where they will really feel it. This is also where I started to see the strength of the prose.
“Before the sun breached the clouded sky, Philip was in the backyard in nothing but his pajama shorts. He held the pitchfork above his head and plunged it into his book. His clenched hands revealed angry spiders of blue veins. Mottled skin stretched across his pronounced cheekbones.”
The fourth story Imitate was my favorite. To me, this was the most complete story with a high concept. I loved the idea that the father looks under the bed and sees a copy of his son Tate hiding when he is asked to check for monsters. Great classical Halloween ghost story set-up. If there was one story to read, for me this is the one. Calling the copy Tate-thing seems like a tip of the hate to The PKD story The Father-Thing.
The fifth story Dead America also has a PKD feel with the slightly off-beat story inspired by a coin out of joint if you will. The last story is the cover story and is a neat story of a werewolf that is a bit of a metaphor for the Trans experience. I liked this story even if it grosses this vegan out a bit.
The story notes at the back were great, I like those. There is a fine balance between showing a peek behind the curtain and over-explaining. If there is any negative for me is I think Hawk maybe over-explained these stories. Look this is his first serious writing. I loved it. Think it was a great collection. Shane Hawk is a writer who should and will become a powerful writer. I am positive about that. There is room for growth, with experience and an editor.
I have talked with Shane for Dickheads and off-line and I am super excited about the direction he is headed. So be ahead of the game. Pick up this collection so you can be ahead of the curve. Be one of those peeps who had the demo tape before the band got big.
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