Scan barcode
bloodravenlib's review
3.0
I did not rate this higher because, for a graphic novel, it can get a bit verbose at times. This slowed down the pace for me as a reader at times. Having said that, this is a very rich work with much depth. It is a tale of a battle between good and evil forces and those folks who get caught up in the battle. And it all starts in a dead letters section of a post office (or so it seems).
Readers who have enjoyed works by Stephen King, such as The Stand, and the more recent series by Hill, Lockey & Key, which I have read, will probably enjoy this. The art, which is pretty good, did remind me of the style you see later in Locke & Key. This is a graphic novel adaptation that you need to take the time to read, but it is a good, entertaining read. I would be curious to see if other books in the Books of the Art series have been given the graphic novel treatment as well. I am curious to read the rest of the series at some point, see how things turn out. This kind of novel does lend itself to adaptation. So, a nice read, but for me, it could be a bit slow. Still, if you like Clive Barker or similar writers, you will probably enjoy it.
Readers who have enjoyed works by Stephen King, such as The Stand, and the more recent series by Hill, Lockey & Key, which I have read, will probably enjoy this. The art, which is pretty good, did remind me of the style you see later in Locke & Key. This is a graphic novel adaptation that you need to take the time to read, but it is a good, entertaining read. I would be curious to see if other books in the Books of the Art series have been given the graphic novel treatment as well. I am curious to read the rest of the series at some point, see how things turn out. This kind of novel does lend itself to adaptation. So, a nice read, but for me, it could be a bit slow. Still, if you like Clive Barker or similar writers, you will probably enjoy it.
dontgetnastybro's review against another edition
3.0
La edición de Norma Editorial viene en dos volúmenes y el primero de ellos es claramente el superior. La resolución de la historia se siente apresurada en las últimas páginas del segundo tomo. Las ilustraciones de Gabriel Rodríguez son análogas a la sensibilidad de Barker por lo que en ese apartado si que se logra ampliar bastante la historia.
crowyhead's review against another edition
3.0
This mostly made me want to read the actual book, because I felt like a lot of stuff must be getting glossed over. It's all right, and I'll probably check out the next installment from the library when they get it, but something about the way the artist draws eyes really annoyed me.
alexctelander's review against another edition
4.0
CLIVE BARKER’S THE GREAT AND SECRET SHOW, VOLUME 1 BY CHRIS RYALL AND GABRIEL RODRIGUEZ: It’s always interesting to see how graphic novel adaptations of complex and long books are going to turn out. Thankfully, Ryall’s and Rodriguez’s adaptation of Barker’s book is one that he is proud of, and will make fans happy. For a summary of the novel, see my review for The Great and Secret Show.
The key here is that this is the first volume in an at least two-volume series, because the forty or fifty pages would not be able to cover the whole story. What’s so refreshing is the art. Clive Barker has a very vivid imagination and to see these crazy and complex images show in art form rich with color and detail is a truly enjoyable experience. Along with a brilliantly written script that manages to condense a six hundred page book, or three hundred in this case, into this slim graphic novel.
Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show is perfect for the fan of the book looking to see it done in a whole new way, as well as those not sure if they want to tackle a long dense book, and looking for a Cliffnotes version. Of course, once they’ve read it, they will probably want to read the novel version, which of course, is highly recommended.
For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.
The key here is that this is the first volume in an at least two-volume series, because the forty or fifty pages would not be able to cover the whole story. What’s so refreshing is the art. Clive Barker has a very vivid imagination and to see these crazy and complex images show in art form rich with color and detail is a truly enjoyable experience. Along with a brilliantly written script that manages to condense a six hundred page book, or three hundred in this case, into this slim graphic novel.
Clive Barker’s The Great and Secret Show is perfect for the fan of the book looking to see it done in a whole new way, as well as those not sure if they want to tackle a long dense book, and looking for a Cliffnotes version. Of course, once they’ve read it, they will probably want to read the novel version, which of course, is highly recommended.
For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.
katharamalama's review against another edition
2.0
This probably suffered from being read in close proximity to the source novel. It was like reading Cliff Notes. The last two chapters in particular were rushed and muddled, and there were several places where a character's actions only made sense if you could fill in what was excised from the story. The art was mostly fine, with the glaring exception of the female characters, who you could really only tell apart by their hair; there was one set I panels I had to reread three times just to figure out what character was meant to be speaking. And of course they all have the ridiculous round boobs highlighted by tight, low-cut tops, even if it made no sense for the character (such as modest, religious Jo-Beth).
wesleymccraw's review against another edition
3.0
I would recommend reading this comic before reading the Everville novel (Book 2 of the Art). The first Book of the Art isn't great in my opinion, but Everville is one of Barker's best, from what I remember.
More...