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Did you ever wonder what you'd do if your arms started to shrink and fall off? Are you afraid of your mailman who is an evil dwarf? What if your family were being stalked by a zombie; would you be able to go alone in the dark woods and perform a ritual to save them ä twice? What if your stepmother wasn't at all what you thought she was? What if a stranger got in the passenger seat of your car and invited you on a special trip? What if? Bentley Little took these two little words, just a simple thought, and wrote 32 horrifying short stories with them. THE COLLECTION is not for the squeamish. Some of the stories are enormously frightening and, at the same time, they all make you sit back and think for a while. At the beginning of each tale, Little writes a few sentences explaining how he got the idea for that story. I liked that he did that, it gave me a clearer understanding of what terrified Little so much, that he had to write about it. When I first began reading the book I had a problem liking it. The trouble was that most of the stories never came to a conclusion. I found myself wondering, "Well, now what? How did something like this happen? Why did the main character do what he did? Is that all there is?" The stories made me feel empty and unfulfilled. Then I started thinking of other stories in this genre I've read. Many horror situations don't always have a conclusion and no set ending, they just happen with no complete explanation. When I figured this out I was able to adjust to what I was looking for in the stories of this book. Instead of searching for an answer, or for a reason to what was going on, I just accepted the fact that I wasn't going to get one! Only then was I able to enjoy THE COLLECTION. Bentley Little is a fine writer with some great ideas. The best story of this collection is "The Colony." I can't even tell you a little about it because then the whole shocking premise of it would be ruined. There are two stories, "Bumblebee" and "Maya's Mother," with a lead character who is a private investigator, but this investigator helps people with supernatural problems. I liked this character so much that I wish Little would write a book just about him and his adventures. "Confessions Of A Corporate Man" is almost funny in a very strange way - and don't let me get started on "Pillow Talk" about pillows and linens that speak and move around. And I can't forget to mention the talking macaroni in "Blood." As I said before, THE COLLECTION is not for the weak of heart. I read this 449 page book in two days and I was left on edge, somewhat upset, and yet wanting to read more. If you've never read Bentley Little, this book is a first-rate introduction to him. Just be warned, his ideas are very unsettling.
Reviewed by Sharon Katz, June 2002
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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