In Joe Hill’s latest short story “Ushers,” death arrives wearing not a black hood and carrying a scythe, but dressed in a sooty cassock with iridescent pigeon wings. This haunting tale of mortality, fate, and the price of intervention weaves together elements of supernatural horror with contemporary crime fiction, delivering a narrative that’s both unsettling and thought-provoking, even if it occasionally stumbles in its execution.
The Story Behind Death’s Door
Set against the backdrop of a federal investigation, “Ushers” follows Martin Lorensen, a 23-year-old counselor at a mental health facility who has mysteriously avoided two mass casualty events – a school shooting and a train derailment. When FBI Special Agents Duvall and Oates (yes, the naming is intentionally amusing) investigate these coincidences, they uncover Martin’s extraordinary ability to see death’s harbingers – beings he calls “ushers,” who appear to collect souls at the moment of death.
Strengths: Where Hill Soars
Masterful Character Development
Joe Hill’s greatest triumph in “Ushers” is his creation of Martin Lorensen. Despite the supernatural elements surrounding him, Martin remains deeply human – irreverent, compassionate, and carrying the weight of his gift with both humor and melancholy. His quips about Hall & Oates and casual observations about life demonstrate Hill’s talent for building authentic characters through natural dialogue and subtle details.
Special Agent Duvall, too, emerges as a fully realized character, particularly through his relationship with his daughter Malia. The tender moment when she reads him her essay about being a Black woman whose father carries a badge adds layers of complexity to what could have been a stock FBI agent character.
Atmospheric Tension
The story’s structure, built around two interviews, creates a slow-burning tension that culminates in a masterfully crafted ending. Hill demonstrates his inherited talent (being Stephen King’s son) for building dread through ordinary situations, making readers question whether Martin is truly blessed, cursed, or possibly dangerous.
Thematic Depth
The story grapples with weighty themes including:
- The nature of death and its inevitability
- The consequences of interfering with fate
- The burden of knowledge
- The relationship between law enforcement and race in modern America
- The thin line between gift and curse
Weaknesses: Where the Story Stumbles
Pacing Issues
The story’s two-interview structure, while clever, occasionally leads to pacing problems. The first interview feels somewhat repetitive, with multiple rounds of questioning about the same events before getting to the heart of the matter.
Underdeveloped Supernatural Elements
While the concept of the ushers is fascinating, their rules and nature remain frustratingly vague. Hill introduces the idea that saving someone from death requires a replacement sacrifice, but this crucial detail feels inadequately explored.
Limited Resolution
The ending, while shocking, leaves several narrative threads dangling. Readers never learn the full truth about Martin’s involvement in previous incidents, particularly the story of Julie Hammersmith and the young bicycle rider.
Writing Style and Craft
Hill’s prose demonstrates his mastery of the short story form, though it occasionally suffers from self-consciousness. His dialogue sparkles with authenticity, and his ability to build character through small details shows considerable skill:
“Martin Lorensen had short, straw-colored hair, pleasant features improved by an old and roguish scar stitched through his left eyebrow, and ears that stuck out from the sides of his head and lent a slightly clownish quality to his good looks.”
Comparisons and Context
Readers familiar with Hill’s other works (particularly his short story collections 20th Century Ghosts and Full Throttle) will recognize his talent for blending the supernatural with the mundane. “Ushers” shares thematic DNA with his father Stephen King’s work, particularly stories like “The Dead Zone” where the protagonist’s gift becomes a moral burden.
The story also bears comparison to:
- Neil Gaiman’s “Death: The High Cost of Living”
- Wim Wenders’ film “Wings of Desire” (which the story directly references)
- Final Destination film series (though with a more philosophical approach)
Impact and Relevance
In an era marked by mass shootings and tragic accidents, “Ushers” feels particularly relevant. Hill’s exploration of mortality and intervention raises questions about responsibility and fate that resonate with contemporary discussions about prevention and intervention in potential tragedies.
Final Verdict
“Ushers” is a compelling addition to Hill’s bibliography that showcases his strengths as a writer while occasionally falling victim to the limitations of the short story format. The story’s greatest achievements lie in its character work and thematic depth, even as it sometimes struggles with pacing and resolution.
Recommendation
Recommended for:
- Fans of supernatural horror with a philosophical bent
- Readers who enjoy character-driven narratives
- Those who appreciate stories that blend genre elements with literary ambition
Not recommended for:
- Readers seeking clear-cut resolutions
- Those who prefer their supernatural elements fully explained
- Readers uncomfortable with discussions of mass casualties
In Conclusion
Joe Hill’s “Ushers” demonstrates both the author’s growing maturity as a writer and his continued evolution beyond his famous father’s shadow. While not without its flaws, the story succeeds in creating a memorable meditation on death, duty, and the price of foreknowledge. It’s a tale that lingers in the mind like the image of its sooty-winged harbingers, prompting readers to consider their own relationship with mortality and the choices we make when faced with knowledge of impending tragedy.
