The Collection

Rating:
Summary: Horror at its very finest!
Review: "The Collection" is one of the very finest short story collections I have read in a long time. Bentley Little created each story with a deft hand at the frightening, giving glimpses into realities that are sometimes supernatural and sometimes common, never failing to cast a spell on the reader. You will meet some of the most freakish characters and things ever in this book. Its a journey through a world populated with sex crazy pillows, bizarre roommates, pulsating potatoes and a secret shrine to James Dean that you will never ever forget. Mr. Little has a way of looking at the world and seeing the possibilities of terror in every thing he sees.

There isn't a bad story in the collection, but I do have some favorites: "The Mailman", "The Idol", "Full Moon on Death Row", "Bumblee" and "Maya's Mother" stand out in particular, but as I said all the stories are good in different ways. Here there are psycho papers, conspiracy theories and secret lives of housewives.

If you are offended easily this might not be for you. Nothing is sacred in these stories including children and animals. The queen of England is even assaulted in this book! However, Bentley has a wicked and warped sense of humour and he pulls off the stories with finesse.

All in all, this is for the open-minded who love great horror. Take a ride in Bentley Little country, see the sights and forget the world. Great!

Rating:
Summary: Solid Collection of Stories
Review: "The Collection" is the first time that Bentley Little's stories have all appeared in the same spot, and the book does not disappoint. With thirty-two stories, most of which in the horror genre, Little has a chance to present many varying ideas, with different styles, more so than with his novels.

From a living potato in "The Potato" to a talking bowl of macaroni in "Blood", Little presents some very strange scenarios. It is a testament to his writing ability that he can take ideas as weird as the stories mentioned, and still present them in an intelligent and frightening manner.

While his titles may not be the most original, Little's stories still manage to entertain, and sometimes frighten. Here, he takes ideas he may have used for a novel, and compacts them into stories of no more than 5000 words. The finished product is very enjoyable.

If you like his novels, or are simply looking for something to entertain you on the subway, I would suggest purchasing "The Collection." It is a well-rounded collection of stories from one of the masters of horror literature.

Matthew Costaris

Rating:
Summary: Little's shop of horrors.
Review: "The drapes were all closed, Cal noticed as he came home from after school, and he knew even before walking up the porch steps that something terrible had happened. The drapes hadn't been closed in daytime...since Father had to pay, " Bentley Little writes at the start of one his more startling stories. Clearly, here is an author who knows how to capture a reader's interest.

Little also knows how to invent and capitalize on surprising situations. In his new, wide ranging collection, entitled, with characteristic economy, The Collection, he writes about religious fervor ("Life with Father," and "The Potato"), bizarre roadside attractions ("Skin"), malevolent dwarves ("The Mailman"), infidelity ("Monteith"), and the difficulties of accepting a step parent ("Coming Home Again"). Little brings offbeat imagination and an unerring sense for the macabre to each of these scenarios.

A prime example of these attributes is "The Sanctuary," a story originally published in Cemetery Dance. Cal, introduced above, is the son of religious fanatics whose faith has morphed into madness. The tale opens as Cal cautiously enters his home, wary of his mother because he never knows when what he calls "The Rage" might overtake her. Within a page, we learn that Mom, who already has killed Cal's father, has claimed two more lives since that morning, first murdering a neighbor, then sacrificing Cal's sister to pay for her sin. Although Cal accepts what has happened, he dreads a repeat performance, considering his sister's ugly fate. Thus, when "The Rage" rises again, Cal turns the tables on his mother by murdering an innocent himself--now, Mom must die for HIS sins. The tale ends with Cal kneeling before the crucified corpses of his family, praying, "Our mother, who art in heaven..."

Cal finds himself trapped in a world he didn't make, helpless to forestall oncoming evil. Disturbingly, he gives himself over to that evil rather than combat it, as do many of Little's protagonists. Examples abound in The Collection. The title character of "Bob", mistaken for a hitman, eventually accedes to the wishes of the desperate 'clients' who seek him out. Brian, from "The Man in the Passenger Seat," is so intimidated by a man who invades his car that he merely stands by as his unwelcome passenger kidnaps a young woman. The youths in "The Baby" commit murder in their quest to find a companion for a tiny corpse. Finally, there's Alan, the star of "Blood," who, with little hesitation, supplies an evil entity with the seemingly endless supply of human blood it demands.

This sense of helplessness in the face of evil and the seemingly inevitable triumph of malevolence also permeates such tales as 'The Phonebook Man," every paranoiac's worst nightmare, "Comes the Bad Time," a classic tale of revenge from beyond the grave, "Paperwork, " a worthy addition to the "couple arriving in a strange town at exactly the wrong time" genre, "The Idol," a bizarre reflection on celebrity and the power of totems/icons, the sad, sick, but strangely erotic "Pillow Talk," and "The Show," featuring a twist ending you'll not soon forget. It's also on prominent display in "Bumblebee" and "Maya's Mother " two pieces which feature a nameless private investigator whose numerous encounters with the supernatural have left him with a healthy respect for the power of the dark.

Little and/or his editor seems to have taken an "all-inclusive, warts and all" approach in compiling the stories eventually featured in The Collection, which might explain why the volume contains the inferior "Comes the Bad Time," which Little himself denigrates in his introduction to the piece, and the nearly impenetrable "Against the Pale Sand" and "And I am Here, Fighting." Fortunately, any negativity provoked by these tales is more than offset by the presence of two minor masterpieces, "The Washingtonians," a compelling piece about political fanaticism which proves history is indeed written by the winners, and the absurd "Confessions of a Corporate Man," best described as a combination of Grand Guignol and Dilbert.

Featuring stories from as far back as 1987, The Collection repeatedly proves that although he might not be the flashiest, most "literary" writer on the block, when it comes to compelling storytelling, Bentley Little has few peers. Writing with assuredness, simplicity, and honesty, Little consistently evokes genuine fear and dread. By the end of this versatile collection, one must certainly acknowledge the power of Little's narrative ability.

Rating:
Summary: Splatterpunk, anyone?
Review: A word of explanation: splatterpunk is a term for horror that relies heavily on blood and gore to make up for its other deficiencies. In the case of this book, the deficiencies include plot, character development, and overall writing skill. The cumulative effect was not fear, but nausea. This book is "scary" in the same way the 11 o'clock news is scary. If you enjoy stories about children and animals being mutilated and killed, then by all means order a copy. Fans of good horror fiction, ex. King, Koontz, Straub, Lovecraft, should pass it by.

Rating:
Summary: Into the Mind of a Warped Genius
Review: Being a person who loves short horror stories and is fond of some of Bentley Little's novels, I figured I couldn't go wrong with a collection of stories from the author of The Store and The House. But there was more to it than that. These are not just the good stories of a novelist who needed to make a few bucks in his starving artist days or wanted to be included in a collection. I think that horror fans should consider this collection the current decade's answer to Clive Barker's wonderful collections (Books of Blood, In the Flesh, Inhuman Condition) a generation back. These stories do not just entertain, they blow the reader's mind and expand into territories of transgressive imagination previously unmapped. They also have a great sense of twisted humor. Kind of a mix of Fellini (in his Satyricon mode) and Monty Python. I always thought that horror and humor were natural allies. Both involve surprise, loss of control, exaggeration to the point of the grotesque and a sense of an environment in which something is out of whack or unnatural. These tales, written at various stages of Mr. Little's career, run the spectrum of human and cosmic absurdity and weirdness. In "Roommates" a man in need of a roommate to share his apartment expenses puts an advert on a bulliten board and is instantly besieged by all manner of freaks and undesirables just clamoring to move right in and bring their delusions, violence, filth, wall-sized board games, pet monkeys and general creepiness with them. In "The Washingtonians" a man discovers that not only was George Washington his century's real life Hannibal Lecter crossed with Pol Pot (he wanted to found a nation based on cannibalism and dark occult practices, killed and ate Thomas Jefferson, and the story of his cutting down the cherry tree is an allegory for of his habit of sacrificing virgins), but that he is worshipped by a cult of equally crazy modern day elitists with a secret headquarters beneath Mount Vernon who wear powdered wigs and ivory dentures during their rituals. Yes, someone really wrote such a story! Even stranger is "Pillow Talk" in which the protaginist is menaced by talking sex-obsessed pillows who would probably feel right at home with the talking (and very bossy!) bowl of macaroni and cheese in "Blood." These are just a few of my favorites. Get the book and discover your own!

Rating:
Summary: A collection from the master!
Review: Bentley Little has an ability few other people writing today have: the ability to scare the socks off ANYONE! The stories he presents to us here, in a book apporpriately called "The Collection," are no less than his best. And that, my friends, is something worth checking out.

The stories here vary widely, and some aren't even horror at all. In fact, one deals with the possibility that the Revolutionary War had ended quite differently. Another, along similar lines, asks us the question, "How much do we really know about our founding fathers?"

Then, of course, you have the spine-tinglers. Ghost towns are brought up repeatedly, as Little knows how to wring out the best of those stereotypical settings. In one story, a man just says something, and it happens! In another, an anbandoned town's trash turns out to be more than just litter! And in yet another story guaranteed to frighten you half-to-death, Little brings back the bathhouse from his awesome novel "The Town." This time, it "flies" away into horror (you'll understand when you read it).

This is definitely a "Collection" that I am glad to have on my bookshelf. Though Little's imagination is sometimes extremely morbid (even more-so than mine!) he never fails to write a good story. As a bonous, along with each installment in this collection, Little includes a small passage of how the story came about, and why he likes it.

This is Bentley Little's latest gift to us. He brings us his fears of fanatics, voodoo witches, zombies, nightmares, paper, potatoes, and midgets, and gift-wraps them between two covers. So open up and enjoy. Just don't turn off the lights.

Rating:
Summary: Little Does it All!
Review: Bentley Little has done it again! This collection of short stories is an absolute must have for anyone interested in this hilarious author's writings. Little's stories are a deft mix of humor, horror, and weirdness that are an excellent way to pass a few hours. I am continually amazed that many people fail to grasp the humor in this man's novels and stories. Little is a master of black comedy and satire (or as he refers to it in several of his stories here, "slightly exaggerated" situations).

I don't think it is helpful to go through a story-by-story analysis. Since many of the stories in "The Collection" are very short, an in-depth analysis of them would undoubtedly give away crucial plot information. I'll try to touch on a few recurring themes that Little revisits more than once.

Little has an interesting view of history. This theme caught my eye because I have a degree in history, and enjoy reading and studying the topic. Two stories are notable with this theme. The first, and the one story that made me buy the book, is "The Washingtonians." A man finds a letter written by George Washington in a relative's trunk. The letter discusses eating children and making tools out of their bones, and is judged to be authentic. When the man visits a local university, he finds out that history, as we know it, is a total sham concocted to keep people in line and present a positive image of the powers that be. It is sufficient to say that by the time you reach the end of this story, you'll see a whole new meaning to the phrase, "the British are coming!"

The second story with this historical theme is "Colony." A newly elected president finds out that America isn't what it appears to be. Let's just say that the Declaration of Independence is a facade to placate the people. The president, with the help of Nixon crony H.R. Haldeman (who turns out not to be dead, just in hiding), stages a new war for independence.

These two stories highlight Little's pessimistic view about accepted knowledge. Knowledge is often not a set of rigid facts or figures, but something softer and hazier that can be manipulated by people for whatever goals they desire. Sometimes, historical lies cover up something that can be truly terrifying.

Another theme in the book is his humor, especially in satire. The story that best fits this rubric is "Confessions of a Corporate Man." In this brilliant gem of a tale, Little viciously skewers corporate America's attitude of competition. Disagreements between various departments in a company turn into full-blown wars involving murder, sex, and betrayal. It is bloody, but screamingly funny, as anyone who works (or has worked) in an office will quickly accede. Another tale, "Life with Father," shows us what happens when recycling is taken WAY too far.

The humor isn't just satire, sometimes it is as black as the coffee at an AA meeting. Just check out "The Show," about a snuff theater where the victim on stage might be someone you least expect. Then there is "Pillow Talk," a short tale about pillows who want to share their lust. How about a story about a dwarf who is determined to collect a quarter? It's here and it's funny.

Then there are the straight horror stories, scary stories that make you look over your shoulder. Take a glance at "The Woods Be Dark," a gruesome tale set in the South. The final tale, "The Mumurous Haunt of Flies," is another shocker about a strange bathhouse on a farm that tells us more than we need (or want) to know about death.

There are other types of stories included in this collection, and a reader is sure to find something that tickles their fancy. I'm quickly discovering that Bentley Little is a brilliant author who can write any type of story. I'm looking forward to reading "The Mailman," and "The Association." Actually, I'm looking forward to reading all of his books, and I hope you will, too.

Rating:
Summary: A Collection of Unnerving Little Tales
Review: Bentley Little has once again produced a book that will be pleasing to his fans both old and new. The author departs from his norm of writing the full length novel and has presented the reader with 32 short stories which can horrify and disgust but also give us a sense of satisfaction.

Little takes aspects of everyday life, things that we would take as normal, and perverts them into a tale of horror and suspense. No one and nothing is safe, from a vegetable growing in the garden to our Founding Fathers -- everything is fair game.

Each tale serves to unnerve the reader even further and makes the reader really think about the story. These tales are marvelous gems and are a great departure for Little.

Rating:
Summary: Dare to peek into this preternatural portfolio?...
Review: Bentley Little is a talented writer whose skill set most closely resembles that of Stephen King; indeed, upon completion of a work by Mr. Little, the reader will indubitably muse on the possibility that the author shares a large chunk of the genetic real estate owned by Bangor's most famous writer. This is not necessarily a bad thing (at least in this case); granted, when one steps beyond the realm of pastiche and becomes a stylistic doppelganger, questions of intent might be raised. Here there be no questions, however, for Little is merely continuing in the grand tradition of taking creepy circumstances and placing them in relatable, modern-day settings. Whether it be in novel format or the more intimate canvas of the short story, his tales are in close-to-perfect tune with the darker side of Main-Street reality.

The Collection is just that- a portfolio of stories previously published (for the most part) in the smaller-press market. One of the endearing hallmarks Little offers is a decidedly simple approach to each outing; he does not strive to examine each thesis in meticulous and mellifluous strokes...instead, he avoids any attempts at synthesis of critical-mass literary analysis and newly-formed techniques with overtones displayed in the avant-garde- indeed, Occam's Razor is in full throttle here, slicing away all complexities. Little's main interest is in relating a story, spinning a campfire tale, or composing a prose analogue of a Tales-From-The-Crypt comic/episode; any overpowering motif or allegory- of which there are many- are kept below the surface of the text and serve only to strengthen the mainstream appeal.

One example of Little's signature approach is The Phonebook Man. It is an interesting tale of pure happenstance and quirky reality which never devolves into a cliché-driven plot predicated on the fact that it has a sinisterly odd definitive-article title and that the author is considered a horror writer...in other words, don't expect a goofy deconstruction of a scene involving a serial-killing whacko who offs people with heavy volumes of the yellow pages. Something a bit more akin to the aforementioned predilections of the Cryptkeeper would be the incredibly fun and somewhat derivative gruesome alternate history of The Washingtonians. And then there is The Mailman, a scary little tale of menace at the hands of a very familiar postman who delivers a dose of stalking menace along with the mail.

Bentley Little's The Collection is an anthology worth acquiring. The stories are fun and full of entertainingly existential wit. Little resists falling in any formulaic traps, even though many abound; it's the fact that he tries to go against them is all that counts, not whether he succeeds or not...it's the struggle that provides the indigenous balance for the shorts.

Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Bentley Little is one of my favorite authors, but he really outdoes himself with this collection of short stories. Scary, shocking, literary, original, this is the best collection of short horror fiction I have ever read. Little is amazing!