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bllittwit's review against another edition
4.0
Though I prefer to write novels, and enjoy reading them, I love reading short fiction collections to really get a feel for an author. I like the experimentation, the varied levels on which each piece succeeds. It's a blast. Barker's first collection succeeds on all the aforementioned fronts and serves as a great introduction to his style and abilites. The man has a corner on grotesquely poetic imagery. Required reading for horror fans. Good stuff.
readingwmiles's review against another edition
4.0
first clive barker collection and it will not be my last! original and crazy and queer. favorite stories were pig blood blues, the yattering and jack, and in the hills, the cities. this won’t be for everyone but i loved it. barker just constantly takes things to the max and runs with it and somehow it’s still scary. wonderful 80s horror. just so fun
theblacksmudge's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mdpryles's review against another edition
4.0
Some pretty disturbing and gutteral stuff here. Really enjoyed "Sex, Death, and Starshine."
mabs's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
hoarding_wyrm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
giumilio's review against another edition
3.5
The Book of Blood
3.5 ⭐
The Midnight Meat Train
3.5 ⭐
The Yattering and Jack
4 ⭐
Pig Blood Blues
2.5 ⭐
Sex, Death and Starshine
2.5 ⭐
In the Hills, the Cities
4 ⭐
3.5 ⭐
The Midnight Meat Train
3.5 ⭐
The Yattering and Jack
4 ⭐
Pig Blood Blues
2.5 ⭐
Sex, Death and Starshine
2.5 ⭐
In the Hills, the Cities
4 ⭐
yazzzzz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
splatterjunk's review against another edition
5.0
This is, pound for pound, the best collection of short horror I have ever experienced.
Only six stories concern us here:
"The Books of Blood" - A haunting framing story that sets the tone for the rest of the tales wonderfully.
"The Midnight Meat Train" - a tense, brutal mystery with a cosmic twist that kept me sleeping with the lights on.
"The Yattering and Jack" - A demonic infestation is not all that it seems
"Pig Blood Blues" - Visceral and heartbreaking tale set in a boys home for wayward teens; some scenes here had me shedding tears and recoiling in disgust immediately after
"Sex, Death, and Starshine" - The glitz and glamour of the stage hides something darker than infidelity, and something older.
"In the Hills, the Cities" - Quite simply the best horror short story I've read in 5 years.
5/5, not a dud to be found
Only six stories concern us here:
"The Books of Blood" - A haunting framing story that sets the tone for the rest of the tales wonderfully.
"The Midnight Meat Train" - a tense, brutal mystery with a cosmic twist that kept me sleeping with the lights on.
"The Yattering and Jack" - A demonic infestation is not all that it seems
"Pig Blood Blues" - Visceral and heartbreaking tale set in a boys home for wayward teens; some scenes here had me shedding tears and recoiling in disgust immediately after
"Sex, Death, and Starshine" - The glitz and glamour of the stage hides something darker than infidelity, and something older.
"In the Hills, the Cities" - Quite simply the best horror short story I've read in 5 years.
5/5, not a dud to be found