If you're a fan of fast, twisted, and darkly satirical short horror, Bentley Little's 'The Collection' is a smorgasbord of weirdness. With 32 stories that dive into everything from nightmarish bureaucracy to truly original takes on American history and the mundane, this anthology is definitely for readers who love their horror bizarre, sometimes brutal, and unafraid to get gross. It’s perfect if you like bite-sized scares, imaginative premises, and a fresh twist on the supernatural or the just-plain-strange.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Some readers found the stories repetitious after a while, with some feeling like they followed a predictable formula and lost their shock factor. If you prefer your horror more subtle, toned-down, or literary, the graphic and sometimes over-the-top style might not be for you. And as with many anthologies, not every story is a winner - expect a few duds among the gems. Those especially sensitive to disturbing or grotesque content may want to steer clear.

Wild, twisted, and often shocking - 'The Collection' is a rollercoaster of short-form horror. It’s uneven, but the sheer creativity and dark fun make it a must-try for anyone who likes their scares with a big dose of WTF.

About:

Readers have described "The Collection" as a diverse anthology of 32 short stories by Bentley Little, showcasing a wide range of themes from thought-provoking to downright nasty. The stories vary in quality, with some being memorable hits like "The Sanctuary," "The Phonebook Man," "Life With Father," and "The Idol," while others are considered misses. Bentley Little's writing style is praised for its ability to deliver creepy and entertaining tales that delve into bizarre and terrifying concepts, often with a touch of dark comedy.

Characters:

The characters vary across the tales, often encountering bizarre situations, which adds to the stories' intrigue.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is clever and satirical, employing short and impactful storytelling that balances humor with grotesque elements.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot is characterized by its exploration of bizarre, disturbing concepts rooted in everyday situations, offering a variety of horror elements.

Setting:

The setting often involves modern, familiar locations that adopt terrifying undertones, transforming everyday experiences into horror.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally fast due to the short story format, though it varies, with some stories maintaining quick thrills and others experiencing uneven pacing.

Religious fanatics have always seemed scary to me, and when I hear them espousing some wacky eschato-logical theory or promoting their perverse interpretations of the Bible, I always wonder what their...

Notes:

The Collection features 32 short stories, many of which can be read in about 10 minutes.

The author, Bentley Little, explores bizarre themes drawn from everyday life.

Stories range from horror and dark comedy to surreal and thought-provoking concepts.

One standout story involves George Washington being revealed as a cannibal.

Several stories are described as disturbing, visceral, and grotesque.

Readers enjoyed the clever plots and intriguing characters in the collection.

Some stories, like The Phone Book Man, leave reader questions unresolved.

The author includes a brief blurb before each story about its inspiration.

The Collection is praised for its originality and different types of horror explored.

Not all stories are equally enjoyed; some readers found certain tales uneven in quality.

The book has been compared to Clive Barker's Books of Blood for its innovative horror style.

Some stories are inspired by mundane things like scraps of paper or an unsettling phone book delivery.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The Collection contains high content warnings due to graphic violence, disturbing themes, and body horror.

From The Publisher:

Presents a chilling new collection of thirty-two short stories of horror and the macabre from the Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Association and The Walking.

Original.

2002

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453 pages

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The Collection?

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The Collection

Bentley Little

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