Although the ending was more John Carpenter than John Updike, Carroll hadn't come across anything like it in any of the horror magazines, either, not lately. It was, for twenty-five pages, the almost completely naturalistic story of a woman being destroyed a little at a time by the steady wear of survivor's guilt. It concerned itself with tortured family relationships, shitty jobs, the struggle for money. Carroll had forgotten what it was like to come across the bread of everyday life in a short story. Most horror fiction didn't bother with anything except rare bleeding meat. {Best New Horror}
In a remarkable departure from typical horror tales, Joe Hill’s "20th Century Ghosts" presents a story that captivates with a deep exploration of human emotion and the mundane struggles of life. The narrative centers on a woman grappling with survivor's guilt, subtly unraveling her life over the course of twenty-five pages. Unlike many horror stories that focus solely on extreme violence or the grotesque, this tale weaves in elements of family dynamics, work challenges, and financial difficulties, creating a rich, emotional landscape.
Carroll notes that such a grounded, naturalistic approach is rarely found in contemporary horror magazines, suggesting a refreshing originality in Hill’s writing. The story emphasizes the often-overlooked pains of everyday existence, contrasting sharply with the genre's typical focus on shocking imagery. Carroll reflects on a nostalgia for narratives that delve into the ordinary aspects of life, showcasing Hill's ability to bridge the gap between heartfelt storytelling and the horror genre.
