Beyond the Nightlight – Book Review

by | Apr 9, 2015 | Book Reviews, Reviews | 0 comments

NightlightFrontBeyond the Nightlight
Edited by Adrean Messmer
A Murder of Storytellers
December, 2014
Reviewed by Jess Landry

Whether it was the monster under your bed or the creature living in your closet, we’ve all had our share of childhood fears. So hell, why not live vicariously through your younger, bed-wetting self and indulge in an anthology that brings your boogeymen back to life?

Beyond the Nightlight delivers twenty-four writers with twenty-four different takes on things that go bump in the night, be it through the eyes of a child or an adult reliving an unforgettable past. These may be stories about kids, but they’re certainly not for kids (unless said kid is a tiny bad-ass).

As can only be expected from a collection about childhood fears, monsters are the main focus of a good chunk of the stories. A few stand-outs from the anthology include The Quiet Company by Robin Kirk, an atmospheric story in which the population is infected with a mysterious disease and only a number of young survivors remain.

Methods of Coping by Adrian Ludens follows a young boy as he attempts to deal with his mother’s death and his father’s odd habits. Taking a deliciously nasty turn, the short story shows the unconditional love between father and son.

Without giving too much away, Bad Mother by Kristin Cooper takes the idea of the monster in the closet and makes it all too real.

And finally, Sam by Shenoa Carroll-Bradd is a short but sweet tale about what happens to little boys if they misbehave.

This is a highly recommended collection of adult bedtime stories for those brave enough to reminisce on the things that may have scared you as a child. Just remember, as the blurb on the back of the book says: there’s nothing to be afraid of. Still, you won’t find my feet hanging over the bed anytime soon.

 

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