Rating: 
Summary: The Best Horror Novel of the Year!
Review: THE IGNORED is a very subversive book. Horror fiction,
in general, is a conservative genre concerned with
maintenance of the status quo. As Stephen King himself
has written, horror is about the fear of "the other,"
those who are different, those who are not like us, and
the most tried-and-true horror formula is that of
the happy family living a contented existence until
a monster/ghost/bogeyman comes into their lives,
bringing chaos. After a series of horrific encounters
they finally vanquish this intruder and order is
restored. In THE IGNORED, Bentley Little turns this concept
on its head. The horror here is normalcy, and the evil is
conformity. Bob Jones, the novel's quintessentially
average protagonist, would like nothing more than to
be different and original, would love for chaos to
enter his boring well-ordered life. But whether because
of genetic predisposition or some other more elusive more sinister
reason, he is unable to do, say, think or feel anything
unpredictable or even remotely individualistic. He
also finds that his condition is worsening, that he is
becoming so average that he is "ignored," that he is
invisible , and this highly original picaresque novel
follows him on his voyage of self-discovery, a voyage
that takes him to some very dark and disturbing places.
Little has always been a writer concerned with the
homogeneity of modern life, with the increasing conformity
and lack of individuality in our society, and while he adopts
the graphic sex and violence of the horror genre, his
themes, ideas and masterful use of metaphor come from the
province of serious literature. Little has previously
addressed these subjects in his critically lauded
novel UNIVERSITY and, especially, in his cult classic
THE MAILMAN. Here, however, he has outdone himself.
THE IGNORED is hands down the best horror novel of 1997.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing Little
Review: I like Bentley Little. I didn't really like "The Ignored" though. It starts out well and really kept my interest for the first third of the book: I have had jobs like Bob Jones describes, where you do not feel like anything you do matters and where coworkers treat you as if you do not exist. So, I could definitely relate to a job that one hates. But, as much as I liked this part of the novel, I kept waiting for the introduction of Philipe and what I thought would be the "real" start of the book. Well, Philipe arrives and the book makes a 180 degree turn into...disaster. From what could happen to silliness. I know that horror is based on extraordinary things happening to ordinary people like here, but there needs to still be some type of reality involved so you think, "hmmm, maybe this could happen." Therein lies the horror, at least to my way of thinking. This book just does not deliver. I did not care about most of the characters (although I really rooted for Bob's relationship with Jane from the outset). Parts dragged and the ending was very anticlimactic as far as I am concerned. I agree with other reviewers that the basis for Little's book "The Ignored" is a great idea, however, as stated before, it probably would have made a better short story than a full-length novel. Little's books are all about story and plot and he has great ideas. The execution of this one didn't work for me, though. I will continue with my Bentley Little reading, but "the Ignored" is at the bottom of my list, so far.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant Concept!
Review: The first half of this book was brilliant. Since most of Little's charcters are cardboard to begin with, he was defintly the one to write this story about anyonimity.
It is about Bob Jones, a man who is so average, that even his not-so-average life experiences are average. He begins working for a giant corporation, Automated Interface, and soon discovers that his problem is much greater than merely not being noticed-- he's become downright ignored, invisible almost.
I enjoyed the first half of this book which was a poignant portrait of a man...of a nobody.
The second half is entertaining, but becomes quite silly. Bob is sooon discovered by a group of fellow ignored aka TERRORISTS FOR THE COMMON MAN, and they set out to make a difference.
I found the ending to be rather clever. Sure there are some holes in the story, like how does an ignored woman, going into labor, find a non-ignored doctor to deliver? But that's besides the point. This book is a commentary, and it is Bentley Little, whose stories tend to be rather "out there," so it's best not to over scrutinize it.
Overall, this is a very entertaining read. I thought it would've been better had he made the second half a sequal, but hey, still worth reading. Not your everyday fare.
Rating: 
Summary: Two in one.
Review: If people want to read a great book that alot of us can relate to; read the first half.
If people want to read a lame book that none of us can relate to; the the second half.
Rating:
Summary: An interesting concept
Review: The idea of a person being so average and ignored by everyone isn't original with Bentley Little, but he does a good job of taking it to different places. This is a story about a man who is ignored by everyone, who finally realizes that he is literally a different kind of human being. I don't want to give away the storyline (in horror lit at least some surprises need to be left untold), but as we follow the development of Bob Jones, it did seem to me that the story wobbled in lots of different directions, as though the author couldn't decide whether Bob should be a fundamentally decent person (who nonetheless commits murder), or whatever. I suppose we are supposed to see Bob as conflicted. Instead, I saw him as wishy washy -- but I guess that is perhaps what a terminally average person might be. I also found it impossible to see why Bob would still like the character he witnesses ritually murdering children! Good grief! Are we to assume that Bob simply cannot feel a strong repugnance? He feels it about the rapes committed by his "friends," and he feels strong emotions towards his girlfriend. I found the end unsatisfying.
Rating:
Summary: Yes indeedy...
Review: Like Fight Club, we need more books that explore this subject. Of how society crushes and what the crushee does in response. Excellent book. Mr. Little is right fine talented writer.
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: 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.
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