Inspired by Richard Matheson's classic "Duel," "Throttle," by Joe Hill and Stephen King, is a duel of a different kind, pitting a faceless trucker against a tribe of motorcycle outlaws in the simmering Nevada desert. Their battle is fought out on twenty miles of the most lonely road in the country, a place where the only thing worse than not knowing what you're up against, is slowing down . . .
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
"They rode west from the slaughter, through the painted desert, and did not stop until they were a hundred miles away." So begins Throttle's terrifying odyssey down desolate Route 6, a long stretch of road in Nevada's empty desert. Vince, his son Race, and his pack of bikers, The Tribe, are on the run, but it's not long before the group is chased by something far more frightening and relentless than the memory of their own crimes. In Throttle, Stephen King and his son, novelist Joe Hill, have paired up to write a suspenseful novella in homage to Richard Matheson's famous "Duel," a story which also features a mysterious driver with deadly road rage. In both works, the driver is faceless, a senseless source of terror that feels almost machine-like, inhuman: King and Hill reveal only his arm hanging out of his window, "a cigarette smoldering between two fingers." Throughout, the story is enlivened with vivid illustrations, and the prose is quieter and more lyrical than we've come to expect from King, full of visual detail: the desert cliffs "striped in chalky shades of yellow and red," the "tires churning up a fog of dust that turned the blue sky white." It seems Hill may have had a strong hand in the prose, but a father-son team is definitely behind this: amid its horror, the real heart of Throttle is the complex, thorny relationship between Vince and his son. Nothing is black and white in this horror story. The reader will no doubt root for The Tribe in Throttle's battle, but as the curtain closes, everyone has blood on their hands.
--Simone Gorrindo
From AudioFile
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
70 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Stephen King never disappoints with his short stories, and this one, co-authored with his son Joe Hill, is no exception. I'm guessing this tale of bikers was somewhat inspired by his fandom of "Sons of Anarchy". As the summary reveals, it was also inspired by Richard Matheson's classic "Duel".
On the surface, there is not much to like about this group of grizzled outlaw bikers - especially after learning of their most recent "incident". It's actually hard to pull for either side - the bikers have done evil things and the trucker seems to be a cold-blooded, anonymous murderer. This is a story without heroes. But even though I could never decide whether I wanted the bikers to get away from the trucker or not, the full-throttle action kept me riveted. King and Hill managed to provide a slow reveal of character development and back-story in this otherwise high-octane narrative. Eventually, near the end of the story, I begin to care about *everyone* - even the anonymous trucker - and THAT is what makes the ending so tragic and this short story so brilliant.
On the surface, there is not much to like about this group of grizzled outlaw bikers - especially after learning of their most recent "incident". It's actually hard to pull for either side - the bikers have done evil things and the trucker seems to be a cold-blooded, anonymous murderer. This is a story without heroes. But even though I could never decide whether I wanted the bikers to get away from the trucker or not, the full-throttle action kept me riveted. King and Hill managed to provide a slow reveal of character development and back-story in this otherwise high-octane narrative. Eventually, near the end of the story, I begin to care about *everyone* - even the anonymous trucker - and THAT is what makes the ending so tragic and this short story so brilliant.
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By David Dalton
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This was my first Kindle Single, and when I saw who the authors were I did not waste a second in ordering "Throttle" (especially when you consider it only cost $0.99). I love Stephen King, and while I have not read any of Joe's material, I have heard of him and know that King is his father. What a combo. The subject mater was just icing on the cake for me. A biker story as a homage to Duel: Terror Stories by Richard Matheson by Richard Matheson? Who could pass this one up? I enjoyed this short story and was amazed at how much story Stephen and Joe packed into this "single".
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By D. Steele
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
its always about human relationships with king really, just wrapped in horror; its a good solid king story worth buying, especially for the price; even if your not a big king fan; this is a good read
26 of 37 people found the following review helpful
By MommaCat
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
First let me say that I am the King's second biggest fan. I also appreciate Joe Hill's work.
I love Matheson's work and realize that he was a huge influence in Stephen King's (and I'm sure Joe's) life. Duel was not my favorite work. I prefer psychological thrillers and horror.
Throttle, of course, was extremely well written. No question about that. You will need to have a Fire or read it online to fully appreciate this short story. There are several color pictures, graphic novel types, to enhance the story telling experience.
Fans of this type of story will give it a straight up five stars. I wish I could. It's just not my style. Sorry Steve and Joe. Next one for me, please?
I love Matheson's work and realize that he was a huge influence in Stephen King's (and I'm sure Joe's) life. Duel was not my favorite work. I prefer psychological thrillers and horror.
Throttle, of course, was extremely well written. No question about that. You will need to have a Fire or read it online to fully appreciate this short story. There are several color pictures, graphic novel types, to enhance the story telling experience.
Fans of this type of story will give it a straight up five stars. I wish I could. It's just not my style. Sorry Steve and Joe. Next one for me, please?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition
I am a 64 y.o.a male& i say that to explain my feelings about J Hill. It strikes me that he writes like the old writers. There just seems to be a depth to him that you don't find in many of the new younger writers. Thanx Joe for reaching way down in yourself & letting that ole soul kind of advise over your shoulder. kzsoul
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Karol Gajda
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I hadn't read anything by Joe Hill prior to reading Throttle. Truth be told, I don't know what he wrote here so I guess, technically, I still haven't really read Joe Hill.
I was looking for something to read for an hour after a long day and this fit perfectly.
Throttle was a fun, fast-paced read. Even though I should have known how it would end (there is no "twist," per se), it still caught me off guard. If you like a bit of family drama with your thriller you'll probably enjoy this short story. I give it 4 stars because, while it was good, there were a few moments (phrasings, words) when I thought, "Really? Did adults write this?" It wasn't enough to distract from the whole experience, but it was enough to detract a star none-the-less.
I was looking for something to read for an hour after a long day and this fit perfectly.
Throttle was a fun, fast-paced read. Even though I should have known how it would end (there is no "twist," per se), it still caught me off guard. If you like a bit of family drama with your thriller you'll probably enjoy this short story. I give it 4 stars because, while it was good, there were a few moments (phrasings, words) when I thought, "Really? Did adults write this?" It wasn't enough to distract from the whole experience, but it was enough to detract a star none-the-less.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Throttle is a Kindle Single by Stephen King and his son Joseph Hillstrom King (Joe Hill). The two writers collaborated on this work inspired by the short story, Duel, by Richard Matheson originally published in Playboy in 1971. Both the original short story and this Single tell the tale of road rage involving the driver of a semi-truck pursuing other motorists on winding back roads. In this story, an oil tanker driver relentlessly pursues outlaw bikers after he overhears them talking about murdering two meth dealers. The leader of the small "tribe" of outlaws, Vince, is a Vietnam War combat veteran. His son Race rides with the group and is a combat veteran of the Iraq War. The major difference between the two vets is that Vince was honorably discharged while his son's discharge from the military was dishonorable. Race had driven away from his fellow soldiers in combat to save himself. The love-hate relationship between the two men is a major theme of the story. The cat and mouse pursuit and ensuing mayhem are exciting and the surprise ending is predictable but satisfying. The final resolution of tension in the father-son relationship is poignant and will produce a visceral reaction in readers. This is a good work of fiction well worth the low price.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By TOMLGP
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
A very good short store by father & Son. Looking forward to more books from both Joe Hill & Stephen Kingthem.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not My Cup of Tea
I am a huge fan of Joe Hill, but this one didn't hit the mark for me. This story didn't absorb me into it as his others did. Read more
Published 1 day ago by CC
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good story idea...
...although I found the execution to be a little clumsy. Is might be because two writes were working in this story. Read more
Published 3 days ago by ilosby
3.0 out of 5 stars
good short story
Plot good...enjoyed it but didn't like the main characters...never could develop empathy for any of them. Father and son cut from the same cloth!
Published 3 days ago by Cestie
5.0 out of 5 stars
a fantastic read!
Brilliantly done by Father and Son.
generation gap on two wheels on a trip in hell.
Absolutely stunning. A piece of unputdownable art.
generation gap on two wheels on a trip in hell.
Absolutely stunning. A piece of unputdownable art.
Published 4 days ago by Bordeaux Dogue
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
Stephen King never disappoints his readers and that is why we keep coming back for more and more. Keep up the great work Mr. King!
Published 5 days ago by brandy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting read.
The book had a nice touch of Stephen King. A little scary, super natural, waiting for the next turn to smack you in the face. Not bad.
Published 9 days ago by PaulS1127
4.0 out of 5 stars
Intense and not your normal Stephen King
This isn't a normal Stephen King novel. There aren't ghosts, scary houses, or crazy clowns.
That said, there is plenty of crazy happening here. Read more
That said, there is plenty of crazy happening here. Read more
Published 10 days ago by Todd R. Jordan
5.0 out of 5 stars
Classic King
This is the first time I have read anything by Joe Hill and it is so much like His father, I think I'm gonna like him too.
Published 10 days ago by Jackie53
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great reading.
Loved the book. I am looking forward to reading more from Joe Hill. He makes a good partner for his dad.
Published 11 days ago by C. Osborn
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good short story
What a great quick read. I chose this story simply because I enjoy reading Stephen King. I was not disappointed. Great story.
Published 13 days ago by Sam
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