Thoughts on Bentley Little

I just picked up a copy of The Vanishing by Bentley Little at the used book store. I've never read anything by him. Anyone got any thought on whether or not I wasted my 2 bucks?

Eh. I read one - The Resort. Have no urge to read more. Stupid people acting stupidly does not equate good horror for me.

did not love The Vanishing

I've got a copy of The Revelation that's been calling me for a while. Any opinions to share on that one?

I liked The Revelation quite a bit. That one won a Bram Stoker I believe.

I haven't yet read The Vanishing or The Resort. The problem with Bentley Little is that he can be so hit or miss. Looking at the history of his books it isn't even like he goes through bad spells. He may have a fantastic book then a clunker then a fantastic book. To me when he is good, he is very good. Enough so that I purchase his paperbacks full price as soon as they are released.

Ones that I remember reading and enjoying (to varying degrees) are The Ignored, The Revelation, The Association, The Summoning, The Store and Dominion.

I remember not being too impressed with The Walking, The Town and The Return. Even the ones that aren't favorites usually have a part that really sticks with me though. He's a good writer even when his books aren't a success.

Most of Bentley Littles books seem to follow the same plot/structure which can be tedious if you read his books one after the other.

However he does have some really fantastic stories.

The one that I remember reading and enjoying the most would be The Store. I pictured the mega store from the story as Wal-Mart the entire time I was reading it. I have often wondered if he thought up this story while shopping at a Wal-Mart.

I pictured the mega store from the story as Wal-Mart the entire time I was reading it.

I'm pretty sure that was not a coincidence. I know that a lot of his... what... 'sociological' horror stories have some basis in crap that he's put up with. I remember reading an interview where he talked about what inspired The Association.

I finished The Revelation a few days ago and neither loved nor hated it. I wish I could give a better opinion, but I was tearing through it so I could get to David Ossman's new book about firesign theatre.

Anyway, I will say that the experience didn't turn me off little for good because I'm very curious to read The Store.

If I had to pick which books of his stand out in my mind, The Store and The Association are it. Usually when I am done reading his books, I feel dirty... like I need a shower. But for some reason, I keep reading them.