Rating: 
Summary: If you've ever felt invisible, this is the book for you!
Review: Have you ever stood at the counter of a department store and felt the eyes of the salesperson pass over you on their way to the next customer? Or had people step in front of you in line as if you weren't even there? Then you might be one of 'The Ignored'. Bentley Little's novel is for those who seem to go through life un-noticed. The protaganist, Bob Jones, is so average that he exists only as a statistical anomaly and stops making any physical impression on those around him. Bob falls in with a small group of individuals who are likewise ignored by society. This group begins to think that they are no longer confined by the morality of a society from which they have been excluded. I at first agreed with others who thought that the whole novel falls apart in the later stages when the action tends towards the fantastic but have changed my mind upon further consideration. I think that Little took the premise towards its logical conclusion. This novel is not for gore hounds looking for a cheap thrill. It's for readers who think while they read and are willing to consider the ramifications of a society that forces members to yell and scream for even the tiniest recognition.
Rating: 
Summary: pretty damned cool, but be warned: not a typical plot setup
Review: though i've always loved bentley little's prose, i've never really enjoyed one of his books. until i found 'the ignored.' it starts from such an interesting -- and familiar -- premise and moves in such interesting directions. the one thing to be warned about with this book, though, is that its structure is completely different than you'd think it would be. a lot of people seem to dislike this, and think it ends in a bad place -- i, however, really appreciate the end and think it made perfect logical sense from where the story had headed up to that point. the structure is this: part one is essentially what the synopsis says, the 'twilight zone'-esque opening that sets everything up and explores how it feels to be useless, Ignored, in the basic sense. part two is very j.g. ballard-esque, especially reminding me of CRASH (the movie, at least). bonding with a group when ignored by society. part 2 has a COMPLETELY different feel than part one, and most of the plot threads that seem to start up in p1 are abandoned. which is good, and believeable. the same happens with part 3, in which the story turns to a completely DIFFERENT subject (i won't ruin it), though it makes perfect sense (i hit myself on the head for not realizing the event that happens at the end of p2 wasn't coming up). then, i think the one main reason people don't care for the last third is because it really should be TWO parts. the last half of p3 really changes direction again, exploring what it means to be Ignored among Ignored, and the possibility of what one, as an Ignored, could experience that mainstream humans could not (not just stealing without punishment stuff, but the idea of a different reality able to be seen only by those on the fringes of this one). the book ends with a very lovecraftian feel: the world is a bigger and more frightening place than we could ever imagine, and it's GOOD we don't know everything out there. all in all, an amazingly well crafted book, and one of the creepiest beginnings ever. "What if we're Ignored by God?"
Rating:
Summary: excellent concept for a story
Review: The concept for the story in this book is by far one of the more original ideas I've come across in a long time. Just thinking about all the possible adventures one could partake in when cursed with being ignored kept me wanting to read. The book does not disappoint in the interest department, but it will be a let down for those looking for horror. While there are a few moments that really creep you out or take you to the edge of your seat, for the most part the book spends a lot of time exploring the aspects of living in a consumer-oriented society where everything is designed for the average joe. The book is split into 3 parts, the first moves rather slowly and re-enforces the feelings that character has while he comes to realize his condition and the breakdown of his life. Part two is all about the main characters new found peers with which he has many disturbing but thought provoking adventures. Part three sees the main character come back almost full circle and starting the cycle again... but I won't say too much. I can envision a sequel to this book, something like "The Land Of The Lost".
Rating:
Summary: A Terrorist For the Common Man
Review: I've read every Bentley Little novel with the exception of The Summoning. I've enjoyed every one of them to at least some degree, but The Ignored is by far my favorite. It was the first Little novel I had the pleasure of climbing into (and regretting climbing back out), so that may be part of its appeal to me, but I think it's mostly the stunningly original concept behind this book that makes it tower over his other work. If you've ever felt like an average person, someone without looks or personality traits that stand out from most others, then you need to read this book. I must be pretty "normal" because this story hit pretty close to home. I could really see myself in the narrator's shoes (this is a first-person story), so I found myself rooting for the guy even (especially) when things started to get violent. The types of people that the narrator hates, I hate. The types of feelings the narrator expresses, I've felt. I'll bet a lot of potential readers can relate to the material. I agree with others' opinions about the similarities to Fight Club, though that novel (and movie) didn't have quite the impact on me that The Ignored did. Still, it's a very appropriate comparison, and if you enjoyed one, I wouldn't be a bit surprised if you enjoyed the other. What's odd is that even though there is quite a bit of violence in The Ignored, it's probably toned down compared to a lot of his work, especially University. Despite that, The Ignored disturbed me more than anything else he's written. Little almost always has some graphic scenes in his books that are not only hatefully violent but disturbingly bizarre, like something you'd dream but soon forget within ten minutes of waking up. What I mean to say is that Little is amazing when it comes to thinking up violent disturbing imagery, yet The Ignored's lack of it doesn't make it any less frightening. Don't get me wrong, there are still examples of that type of thing in The Ignored. What comes immediately to mind is when the narrator dresses up in a clown suit, goes to work armed with a knife, and...nevermind, I don't want to ruin it for someone who hasn't read it yet. I can't think of a book in any genre or category that I'd give a higher recommendation to. The Ignored is listed in Stephen King's On Writing as one of the "best books of the last few years" or something like that, and I couldn't agree more. Not only is the story totally engrossing, but Little's style of writing is just perfect. I'm amazed when people confuse clear, concise, and effective (but simple) writing with *bad* writing. If you want to get bogged down with ineffective, purple prose that doesn't flow off the page, there are enough horror novels out there to last a lifetime. I'm thinking Anne Rice, Kathe Koja, and Peter Straub to start with. But if you're a "common man" looking for an absorbing page-turner, then Little ranks up there with the best of them.
Rating:
Summary: Am I Ignored, too?
Review: Bob Jones is an average, run-of-the-mill guy. He has a beautiful girlfriend, has just gotten out of college, and is looking for a job. He is taken in at an office building, where his job isn't clear, his immediate boss hates him, and his colleagues seem not to notice he's there. That's when Bob begins to suspect something. His favorite songs are all top-5 hits. His favorite movies are box-office smashes. He likes prime-time TV, enjoys fast-food chains and hotel-esque decorating. Bob Jones is average. But he's not alone. He is being watched, being prepared, by a man named Philipe, a man who possesses a knowledge that Bob wants to have. Philipe proclaims himself as a Terrorist for the Common Man...and he, and his followers, are also Ignored. At first, life as an Ignored is interesting. Bob is finally among people like him, people who are Ignored. But then the glamor wears off. Philipe wants to do something, something big, something that will get the world to notice them. But they are being followed...and there is yet another threat, one Bob must face if he is to survive, one burning question that needs an answer: Can you be Ignored by the Ignored? Bentley Little throws aside his blood-n-guts horror to bring you a disturbing novel about a man who is so average, he goes unseen by most people. I have praised Little for moving around the "thinking-man's horror" novel, but after reading this, I must say that he's good at it. Back to my first question: Am I Ignored? Little has tapped into our psyche here. So many of these things corresponded to me, I realized that I had never known how deeply a horror novel could move me. I think, after reading this, you will be questioning your lifestyle as well. "The Ignored" is a novel by a singular author, about those of us who...fit in a little too well.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've read in years...period
Review: I took a chance on this book when I was at a hotel in Monterey. Boy, am I glad I made that decision! Bentley is hands-down one of my favorite writers. A previous reviewer mentions he liked the first third but disliked the rest of the book. Well I was the exact opposite. If anything, I felt Little took too much time showing how "Ignored" the character was. But when the character joins forces with others like him, that's when the real fun starts. I could really identify with this character, and I think the way the book ended was one of the best endings I have EVER read. It just left me with lots of questions to think about.
Rating: 
Summary: The Ignored
Review: I am a very big Bentley Little fan but this was not one of his best works. The story took entirely too long to get to the point and then never seemed to satisfy my anticipation. The ending was very far fetched without any attempt at an explanation.
Rating:
Summary: Another Impressive Outing From An Underrated Author
Review: The Ignored seems like a pretty tough sell, if you're the type to judge a book by it's cover. The art has nothing to do with the story, and the copy on the back cover doesn't even begin to scratch the surface of Bently Little's amazing story.... Bob Jones is a perfectly average guy. Maybe TOO average. When he starts his new job, he begins to realize that maybe there's more to the apparent rudeness of his new co-workers than meets the eye. Is he actually fading away, becoming one of The Ignored? Little structures the story into three acts: Bob's discovery of his condition, his recruitment into a cadre of "Terrorists for the common man" (I.E., The IGNORED man), and the eventual discovery of an entire city of the Ignored. The first and last segments resonated deeply with me, the Terrorist segment didn't. Not that the middle section wasn't good, it just didn't grab me the same way as the segments that bookend it. I work in a fairly large health care company, and at times I actually DO feel like I might be invisible to my co-workers, so I felt a real kinship with Bob. The final segment is just stunning; It really took me by surprise, so I won't spoil anything here; I'll just say that Little managed to creep the HELL out of me. In our fast-paced, impersonal world, It's easy to feel alone and ignored; Just be glad you're not Bob Jones....
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Horrific
Review: A Bentley Little novel, whether you love or hate his style, always builds on an interesting idea. 'The Ignored' is no different. Little usually assumes one of two positions in his novels: he either writes a story full of hilarious observations about organizations (retail stores, homeowner's associations, the postal service), or he creates a work of pure horror (vampires, walking zombies, haunted houses). This 1997 novel blends both of these narrative devices into an affecting tale about what happens when an everyday, average man falls through the cracks of our hectic, materialistic society. The narrator of the story is one Bob Jones. Bob hates his life, or at least starts to after he graduates from UC Brea with a degree in American Studies. His part-time job at Sears provides barely enough income for food and shelter, although his live-in girlfriend Jane works part-time too while she finishes her degree. After answering an advertisement for a position at the generic sounding Automated Interface, Inc., Bob lands a real job and assumes his place in the working world. Right from the start things go badly for young Bob. His bosses hate him, his co-workers outright avoid him or subtly despise him, and even his office mate cannot stand his presence. Slowly, Bob notices he no longer registers at all with his fellow employees, with an emphasis on 'at all.' They literally do not see him even if he is standing right in front of their faces, or if they do see him, they forget about him immediately after they look away. This invisibility deeply troubles Bob and causes him to slowly drive away Jane, the one person who acknowledges his presence and actually cares for him. As time progresses and the drudgery of work and life weigh heavily on Bob, he realizes that he is one of 'The Ignored,' a man whose existence goes without notice in society. But someone does notice Bob, and after Bob commits a terrible crime this man, named Philipe, initiates him into a group referred to by its members as 'Terrorists for the Common Man.' The organization consists of other ignoreds angry at a world that barely acknowledges their existence. The group pulls off petty crimes at first, such as swiping free meals at restaurants and heckling public officials. Soon, Philipe tires of banal activities and starts to plan and execute bigger crimes that pose serious dangers to society. As the very real possibility of killing innocent people looms large, Bob must decide whether to stay with Philipe or strike out for a town of ignoreds somewhere in Arizona. Bob leaves Philipe and journeys to this strange town where an even greater threat to his survival appears. The conclusion of the book takes a horrific turn for the worse while reuniting Bob with old acquaintances. There are elements of the usual Little humor in 'The Ignored.' When Bob begins to suspect he is bland and average, he peruses his CD collection and realizes everything he likes is strictly Top Ten, run of the mill music. He watches MASH and laughs at all the jokes embellished with a laugh track. In short, Bob embraces everything average, everything the common man should find amusing or pleasing. Moreover, the town of the ignoreds turns out to be one big joke firmly aimed at the solar plexus of consumerism and mass culture. Little seems to say that all of us will end up ignored in a society that preaches bland conformity through the homogenization of mass marketing. The horror, if you do not think being a cog in the wheels of capitalism is horrific enough, makes a strong showing towards the end of the book. Little references Arthur Machen's 'The Great God Pan' when he shows Bob slipping into an even more horrifying condition than his status as an ignored. This section of the book is quite imaginative yet a bit strange for even Bentley Little. It works, though, and is great fun to read. Ultimately, this horror/social satire hybrid works better than other Little novels, when he usually chooses one of the two themes and runs with it. I am waiting with baited breath for Little's new novel that will arrive in bookstores later this year. Until then, 'The Ignored' gave me a good dose of Bentley Little to tide me over. As great as Little's message is in 'The Ignored' concerning the subject of consumption, be sure and check out his novel 'The Store,' which does a better job of delivering a jeremiad against the rampant materialism currently overrunning every street corner in America.
Rating:
Summary: 'Yes, this one rocks!'
Review: Totally wild and new imagination by the author and one of the bes tbooks I ever read. Reads like we read our own experience. Dont know how this man gotthe idea but simplyu great. Read and then RE-Read! Buy it fro sure. Slightly far fatched but I think its ok, hey after all this is fiction book, but with a diffrence that this is extension of reality.
|
