The Store

To start off this book is a really nothing more then of a thinly veiled stab at the policies of corporate America, mainly Wal-Mart and it's ilk, and consumerism all wrapped up in a twisted horror story bow. It's well done for a horror story despite the social commentary (which Little is amazing at, btw. It never comes off as preachy or heavy handed despite the fact that it constantly shouts "this is really going on"). I've read a lot of horror, lot of twisted books, but this one has stuck with me like no other. It still pops into my head even after 10+ years of reading it. It made me really question things and really think about where and how I buy things. I haven't felt right walking into a chain store since.The thing about it is there is so much based in reality, so much you can see on a day to day basis. It really gets you to force your own view and perspective on the story, gets you to open your eyes and connects your own reality with that of the story. Yet, like the characters in the book, not many people really see a lot of wrong, or haven't put two and two together. The real horror and scariness is how much everything is grounded in reality. The book also ends on a note, not unlike 1984, that just makes you question things about your own personal life and how you want to proceed. It leaves you vulnerable, open, and uncomfortable. Yet never quite shows or tells you what to do. Which honestly is perfect.Really a must read. But don't blame or the author for anything that happens after.

At first glance, The Store might appear to be a rehash of Stephen King's Needful Things. Both deal with rather sinister shops, but the similarities essentially end there. Bentley Little's novel is a dark satire that is well-written and suspenseful, although it does fall apart a little at the end.The story focuses on Bill Davis, whose family resides in the small Arizona town of Juniper. Juniper is one of those middle-of-nowhere towns in which there is not much in the way of shopping choices, and in fact, most of the times, the residents must go out of town to get what they need. Into this sleepy village comes The Store, a generically-named, sinister (but obvious) version of Wal Mart. The Store offers a great selection and low prices. Unfortunately, The Store also offers much more to those who wander down the wrong aisles: racist video games, snuff films and cheap explosives. It also has a rather rigid employment policy which requires dark rituals to get hired and severe consequences for disobedience or quitting. Then there are the mysterious Night Managers...As with most of Little's best novels, this succeeds both as horror novel and satire. It is exciting reading, but as with many horror novels, the ending is a bit weak. Also, while we are expected to suspend our disbelief for supernatural fiction, there should at least be plausibility, and in some of the events of this story, such plausibility is a bit lacking. These flaws keep The Store from being a great book, but it is still pretty darn good and - though not Little's best effort - it is a fun read.

This was an amazing and creepy novel. It started slow, but then grabbed hold you and didn't let go. I loved it

It just never tied in the people from the first car drive we experienced, none of the characters were particularly likable, the story was redundant with vile abusive language that was revolting and from reading reviews as well, none of the mysteries of certain characters would be resolved or explained. I was 3/4 thru and really struggling to keep reading. Read the reviews and the last two chapters were talked about as disappointing wrap ups. I skimmed them and it was just more of revolting stories.One thing I also couldn’t get over is the lack of believability. Corruption yes, beyond legal responses outside the town, no. Indentured servitude is not legal- FBI could be called to help. Stealing someone’s baby in the hospital Because they didn’t finish layaway payments FBI would be called. It just wasn’t believable. I wanted to love it but I just couldn’t. And the incest story at the end added to the revolting nature. There was no reprieve ever to enjoy anything in the book. It caused tons of stress, especially if you’ve been through any corporate BS in your life. Bummer. :( I am not recommending it. Love the idea of it through.

I found myself amused, disgusted, worried, probably a few other emotions as well. I appreciate the vocabulary because there were some words in not used to, but not enough to get frustrating, it was fun. With the way the story is told I had questions, but I got some answers and I got to know the characters along the way. The Store also made me think, which I always enjoy from a horror book. If you like horror books this is a good one to try.