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Rating: Thomas Ligotti is not a writer for everyone, and indeed many do not digest and do not understand him, criticizing him harshly: probably, if we exclude his first books like "Songs of a Dead Dreamer" and "The Last Feast of Harlequin," very close, although with a very particular approach, to the horror genre, the rest of his production is more of a sort of abstract metaphysics. "The Spectral Link," recently published by IlSaggiatore, contains 2 stories and seems a bit like his spiritual testament considering his age and his chronic health problems. And as a final work, it's not bad at all and sums up all his philosophy a bit.
The two narratives delve into the typical themes of existential horror, for which Ligotti is universally recognized, however with a peculiar approach. In the first story, "Metaphysica Morum," we find a bit in narrative form the themes already analyzed by the writer in the long essay "The Conspiracy Against the Human Race." It is essentially an in-depth study of the figure of a completely demoralized man, devoid of work, affectionate ties, and family relationships. His only supposed confidant is the singular therapist, Dr. O. Through a recurring nightmare, in which a mysterious individual offers a "whole new context," the protagonist begins to nurture the hope of resolving his existential problems.
Despite the dark tone, the narrative escapes the traditional horror schemes (as mentioned this is more a metaphysical narrative), instead offering a vein of black humor that is typical of Ligotti's style. The Kafkaesque oddity of Dr. O and an absurd letter from an alleged relative add a surreal element to the plot. Ligotti's nihilistic philosophy manifests when the protagonist finally comes to understand the meaning of the "whole new context" he seeks. In my opinion, it's not a completely successful attempt even if the text certainly deserves to be read.
"The Small People" is in my opinion a great effort and one of the best stories ever written by Ligotti. The plot follows the events of a child who has lived in fear of a mysterious race of toy-like beings called "the small people." The protagonist cannot justify his paralyzing fear of them. The story explores the sense of chaos, absurdity, and emptiness attributed to "the small people" and how the protagonist, in attempting to overcome his fear, crosses a boundary leading him ultimately to a deeper hatred, a reflection of the nihilistic philosophy that permeates Ligotti's work. The narrative mirrors Ligotti's obsessions, revealing how the protagonist, beyond appearances, arrives at a nihilistic conclusion about the nature of reality and his fears. This story alone is worth the price of the book.
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