Throttle

Throttle, a collaborative novella by Joe Hill and Stephen King, follows a motorcycle club called The Tribe through the Nevada desert as they flee from a crime scene. The narrative centers on the club's leader Vince Adamson and his son Race as they deal with the aftermath of a violent confrontation. The story transforms into a high-stakes road battle when a mysterious truck driver begins pursuing the motorcycle gang on isolated desert highways. The chase becomes increasingly dangerous as the massive tanker truck and the bikers engage in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Written as an homage to Richard Matheson's classic story "Duel," this novella explores themes of father-son relationships and the price of violence. The stark desert setting serves as a backdrop for examining questions of loyalty, revenge, and the consequences of criminal life.

Readers describe this novella as a fast-paced homage to Stephen King's "Duel," with many noting its collaboration between Joe Hill and his father King. Readers appreciated: - The tight pacing and building tension - Father-son relationship themes - The gritty desert atmosphere - Strong character development despite short length Common criticisms: - Too similar to "Duel" without adding enough new elements - The ending felt rushed - Some found the violence excessive - Price point high for length Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (4,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (180+ ratings) Reader quotes: "Delivers the same highway terror as Duel but with its own unique family dynamic" - Goodreads reviewer "Short but hits hard - finished it in one sitting" - Amazon reviewer "Expected more originality given the talent involved" - Goodreads reviewer

Duel by Richard Matheson The original inspiration for Throttle follows a lone driver pursued by a menacing truck on empty highways, creating the same intense vehicular cat-and-mouse tension.

Hell's Angels by Hunter S. Thompson This non-fiction account of California motorcycle gang culture provides deep insights into the tribal dynamics and outlaw lifestyle depicted in Throttle.

Drive by James Sallis A professional driver becomes entangled in crime and pursuit through stark urban landscapes, mirroring the relentless momentum of desert pursuit.

The Death and Life of Bobby Z by Don Winslow A drug runner races through the American Southwest while navigating criminal betrayals and personal redemption against desert backdrops.

No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy A chase through the Southwest borderlands features characters fleeing with criminal proceeds while pursued by an unstoppable force.

🏍️ Co-written with Stephen King (Joe Hill's father), marking their first collaborative work together 📚 The story was first published in 2009 as part of "He Is Legend: An Anthology Celebrating Richard Matheson" 🎬 "Duel," the story that inspired "Throttle," was Steven Spielberg's first full-length film, released in 1971 🖋️ Joe Hill initially wrote under his pen name to avoid trading on his famous father's reputation - his real name is Joseph Hillstrom King 🎨 The comic adaptation was published by IDW Publishing in 2012, featuring artwork by Nelson Daniel