Robert M. (shotokanchef) reviewed on 3/11/2011 + 813 more book reviews

This is a somewhat disturbing tale, in the vein of Shirley Jackson, about a young couple who desire a large family. Unfortunately, number five, Ben, turns out to be somewhat of a freak. I kept waiting for him to turn into Chuckie but this does not happen, although he is more than a handful. At one point, after he is allowed (or not) to roam the streets on his own, a policewoman follows him home. It flashed through my mind that this scene could have been describing the kid in The Ransom of Red Chief. There is not as much violence and horror as the cover notes would have you believe. Most of the impact is the disruption of the extended family. At the end, Ben merely moves out, leaving the reader hanging until the sequel, Ben, In the World.

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