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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
Only re-read vol. 1 for Androids Dream book club.
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely tore through this omnibus. Each story (aside from the first, introductory story of Volume 1) is at least 30 pages long, probably pushing the boundaries of what is considered a short story, yet I devoured each one in a single sitting. On some days I was reading multiple stories because I was so invested in Barker's writing.
Aside from reading The Hellbound Heart recently, I haven't had much exposure to Barker's writing. I've heard good things, of course, but now I truly understand why he's so popular. These stories were incredible, with outstanding writing that painted vivid scenes. I don't think there was a single one that I didn't like.
Barker brings a blend of eroticism and horror to his writing. He doesn't shy away from darkness, yet also highlights the beauty inherent in the frightful.
My favourites from these first three volumes are:
The Midnight Meat Train
Sex, Death and Starshine
Dread
Hell's Event
The Skins of the Fathers
Rawhead Rex
Confession of a (P*rnographer's) Shroud
and
Human Remains
I'm jumping straight into the second omnibus, so you can probably expect a review for that very soon.
Seriously, though, if you haven't read Barker yet I really think you should. I'm ashamed that it took me so long to dive on in, and I can already feel how his work is going to become a major inspiration and influence for my future work.
Aside from reading The Hellbound Heart recently, I haven't had much exposure to Barker's writing. I've heard good things, of course, but now I truly understand why he's so popular. These stories were incredible, with outstanding writing that painted vivid scenes. I don't think there was a single one that I didn't like.
Barker brings a blend of eroticism and horror to his writing. He doesn't shy away from darkness, yet also highlights the beauty inherent in the frightful.
My favourites from these first three volumes are:
The Midnight Meat Train
Sex, Death and Starshine
Dread
Hell's Event
The Skins of the Fathers
Rawhead Rex
Confession of a (P*rnographer's) Shroud
and
Human Remains
I'm jumping straight into the second omnibus, so you can probably expect a review for that very soon.
Seriously, though, if you haven't read Barker yet I really think you should. I'm ashamed that it took me so long to dive on in, and I can already feel how his work is going to become a major inspiration and influence for my future work.
Clive Barker's BOOKS OF BLOOD are the most astonishing and spell-binding tales of horror fiction ever collected. Originally published in 1984--this collection has no equal. The literary flair Barker brings to these imaginative tales of terror is breathtaking. The syntax and the sentences are delicious, even though they are describing death, blood, sex, monsters, creatures, and cosmic-fantastical tidings. Of course, this is the same short story collection that lead to the legendary blurb from Stephen King himself: "I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker."
I won't go into detail reviewing every short story. But I will give them each a star ranking. Pick this one up, if you haven't already.
BOOK 1:
"The Book of Blood" 4.5 stars (introductory piece)
"The Midnight Meat Train" 5 stars
"The Yattering and Jack" 5 stars
"Pig Blood Blues" 5 stars (my favorite story from book 1)
"Sex, Death and Starshine" 4 stars
"In the Hills, the Cities" 5 stars (my second favorite story)
BOOK 2:
"Dread" 5 stars (my favorite story from book 2)
"Hell's Event" 5 stars
"Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament" 3 stars
"The Skins of the Fathers" 5 stars
"New Murders in the Rue Morgue" 5 stars (My second favorite--a modern take on Poe's classic short)
BOOK 3:
"Son of Celluloid" 5 stars (my second favorite story from book 3)
"Rawhead Rex" 5 stars (my favorites story from book 3)
"Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud" 4 stars
"Scape-Goats" 5 stars
"Human Remains" 4 stars
I won't go into detail reviewing every short story. But I will give them each a star ranking. Pick this one up, if you haven't already.
BOOK 1:
"The Book of Blood" 4.5 stars (introductory piece)
"The Midnight Meat Train" 5 stars
"The Yattering and Jack" 5 stars
"Pig Blood Blues" 5 stars (my favorite story from book 1)
"Sex, Death and Starshine" 4 stars
"In the Hills, the Cities" 5 stars (my second favorite story)
BOOK 2:
"Dread" 5 stars (my favorite story from book 2)
"Hell's Event" 5 stars
"Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament" 3 stars
"The Skins of the Fathers" 5 stars
"New Murders in the Rue Morgue" 5 stars (My second favorite--a modern take on Poe's classic short)
BOOK 3:
"Son of Celluloid" 5 stars (my second favorite story from book 3)
"Rawhead Rex" 5 stars (my favorites story from book 3)
"Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud" 4 stars
"Scape-Goats" 5 stars
"Human Remains" 4 stars
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my first time reading Clive Barker but after seeing numerous films based off his work, particularly those he wrote and directed, you kind of know what you're getting into. Plenty of sex, unknowable horrors, and detailed descriptions of gore. To be honest these stories were probably much more shocking/terrifying at the time of original publication but they certainly still hold up. As usual with these collections some are better than others but they were all worthwhile. I probably would have enjoyed reading the volumes one at a time instead of straight through all three compiled here. This much Barker at one time could be too much of a good thing (and obviously not the authors original intention). Glad to have filled in one of my blind spots in horror fiction.
dark