The Year of the Monster – an appropriate title for Tara Stillions Whitehead’s short story collection. It may have been a lengthy gestation but coming at the tail end of the pandemic was fortuitous indeed. Against the backdrop of the greater general isolation imposed by lockdowns of varying manner and degree, Stillions Whitehead shows us isolation on a more personal level, often self-imposed.

Believing one is defined by what turns out to be unrealistic. Realizing too late that you had what you needed, only to lose it. Seeing ourselves defined by our past and unable or unwilling to move beyond it.

Individual perceptions are reinforced by society or government. Each person is a member of at least 2 officially sanctioned minority groups. Each told who we are by other people or by circumstance out of our control. These do not define or prove our existence

I enjoyed The Year of the Monster. The prose is fresh and immediate Shallow or substantial, each character is true. We have all known them. Definitely worth reading.



‘’Social isolation. A need to be acknowledged, validated by

someone. She sympathizes with the need to exist more than she ever has before, to feel like the

insides matter. It's getting harder these days.

And, after all, the consummation of the Hollywood Dream is achieving existence. Simulated or

otherwise. But mostly simulated.’’



From ‘Deleted Scenes’ ( )

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this as an Early Reviewer. No compensation was received other than the chance to read this work.

This collection of short stories covers various topics, such as the #MeToo movement, behind-the-scenes operations on film and TV shoots, and emotional fallout. The author, who drew on their experience in films, creates believable characters and solid stories while managing to keep the tone of the book interlinked.

Recommended for: those who enjoy short story collections and those who enjoy stories based in Hollywood. ( )