First published back in June of 2016, James Plumb’s novella ‘Little Monster’ formed the sixth instalment within the ‘Year Of The Zombie’ series which saw a zombie story published (in ebook format) each month of 2016 from a variety of different horror authors. All twelve stories were later collected together and published within the ‘Year Of The Zombie’ (2018) anthology (which was also published in paperback format).
The story was later adapted into the full-length film of the same name, which was directed by Plumb and released through Mad Science Films in 2019. The film was made possible through crowdfunding on IndieGoGo.
DLS Synopsis:
Gareth worked hard so he could provide for his family. That’s how he saw it anyway. He’d bust a gut at work, often working late to get stuff done, only to return home and have Jen shout at him. She didn’t see it the way Gareth did. That he was doing these hours for them.
Even on Ana’s fifth birthday he was running late. Although it wasn’t all his fault. The bloody train had been delayed. Not that Jen took that into account. It was always Gareth’s fault.
However, to Gareth, Ana was his world. She was his everything. There was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. Although, on that fateful day in the local park, whilst Ana played on the spinning roundabout, Gareth’s devotion to his fiver-year-old daughter was put to the test.
He’d been on his phone, clearing off work emails when it happened. As Gareth sat there on the park bench, around him parents collected their kids, hurrying out of the park at the sight of the lumbering man over the other side of the park. But Gareth wasn’t paying attention. He was too busy with his phone when it happened. Only looking up when the sharp scream pulled him away from his emails.
The man was attacking Ana. Towering over her, ready to attack again. Gareth had raced over and struck him hard, knocking the man to the ground whilst his daughter had also collapsed to the floor, blood oozing from a savage bite to her neck.
Gareth didn’t think. He’d gone into autopilot, defending his daughter, beating at the man, stomping on his head with every ounce of strength he had. Caving the man’s head in until it was nothing more than a bloody mess of gore.
However, the harm had already been done. Although Gareth had rushed his daughter to the hospital. Although Ana was still breathing, still moving, still alive, she would never be the same again.
Ana was everything to her parents. Gareth knew he’d do anything for her. However, that was now going to be put to the test. How far would he go to look after his beloved daughter? How much blood would he willingly spill to keep her alive? Or as close to alive as she could be now…
Holy shit, what a fucking story! Essentially, it’s about a father’s love for his daughter and how far he’ll truly go to look after her. As you’d imagine, because of this it’s an incredibly character driven story, with just a small handful of characters involved in the troubling and heart wrenching tale.
As a father myself, there was so much that purposefully resonated with me within the story. Plumb has absolutely tuned in on what it is to be a father. That sense that you’ll unquestionably do anything for your child. That absolute inherent devotion.
Even that age-old challenge of work and family life balance colliding with a father’s often blinkered motivation to provide for his family, hits one fucker of a chord. It’s something many of us have had to struggle with – wanting to be there for our family but also driven by a need to work hard to ensure your loved ones are supported and have a happy and healthy life.
Of course, this all collapses like a house of cards when tragedy strikes and Ana’s bitten by a zombie (which Plumb delivers in a gritty and hard-hitting scene). Furthermore, the whole scenario is that much more haunting, as we’re already in Gareth’s head. The guilt at being swallowed up by work and taking our joint eyes of his beloved daughter whilst she plays. That deep gut guilt, it’s felt by us as the readers just as much as Gareth.
Because of this connection we have with Gareth and his father-daughter bond, which is echoed into ourselves, the tragedy of the whole piece penetrates deep under your skin. It’s powerfully emotive and absolutely pulls at your heartstrings over and over again.
Gareth’s descent further and further into a seemingly endless abyss of difficult choices and disappearing hope crushes you. Hope feels like a golden chalice. Something Gareth clings to with every drop of blood in his withering body.
Honestly, it’s one hell of a good read, with splashes of grit and gory grime thrown in to harden the blood that’s leaking from the arteries the story has already sliced open. Almost as if grisly brutality is somehow a lifeline for us, a small rest bite from the sadness.
Absolutely great stuff. Definitely worth the effort of hunting down a copy.
The novella runs for a total of 32 pages.
© DLS Reviews
