By Matthew J. Barbour
Solitary is a short story by Brian Keene. The story revolves around Dan Miller, a middle-aged man who wakes up to find himself alone. His partner and daughter are missing. He tries to notify the authorities, but finds that the power is out and his cell phone is broken. To make matters worse, a thick fog has settled over his neighborhood, preventing him from escaping. There is something in the fog, and it feels wrong. Dan must face his plight and the creatures lurking outside on his own.
Predictability aside, Solitary is a heartwarming, moving horror story that focuses on loss. Most people will understand what’s happening to the protagonist sooner than he does, but that’s often the case. The closer you are to something, the harder it is to let go.
Brian Keen is often mentioned in connection with pulp horror fiction, e.g. Rise or Earthworm GodBut there is another, more thought-provoking and sentimental side to this writer. This is evident in the following works: Girl on a glider and Ghoul. Solitary It fits in beautifully with the other stories. Its near-perfect execution clearly demonstrates why so many horror fans are obsessed with the author. Brian Keen has proven time and again that he understands the genre and has a wide range of stories to tell.
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score: 4/5
