Sleep Over: An Oral History of the Apocalypse

In Bell’s intriguing themed debut collection, a plague of insomnia instantaneously grips the world and is chronicled via accounts from those who survive. The linked stories span the globe and the human spectrum, made even scarier by their relatability. Some accounts are poignant, highlighting heroism and self-sacrifice in the midst of destruction and carnage, and some are feverish accounts of those succumbing to sleep deprivation. Particularly harrowing is the story told by a pediatric nurse about exhausted pregnant women going into premature labor, almost always resulting in the death of both mother and child. Another reveals the high-wire act of a power company trying to keep the power on for residences that are now in use 24/7. In a chilling tale, a cop discovers the killing room of a man who’s taking full advantage of his neighbors’ new vulnerability. Despite the grim elements, human resilience and compassion are the overwhelming themes of this well-written collection, and the coda is full of hope. (Jan.)