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Clive Barker

Started by Susan, September 10, 2004, 10:43:11 PM

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Susan

has anyone here read any of Clive Barker's books/short stories? Any good? And how do they rank with the film adaptations? I'm thinking of checking some out at the library before purchase consideration, but thought i'd get some recommendations if there are any in particular worth reading. I love Nightbreed so I want to see how Cabal reads. Or maybe books of blood?


JohnL

I borrowed one of his books from a friend several years ago. I don't recall which one, but it was a compilation of short stories, maybe one of the Books of Blood. I only really remember one story about some tentacled creature giving birth to some other creature in an abandoned building, maybe an old health club or YMCA type place. At the time it struck me as being something that H.P. Lovecraft might have written about. I think the book also contained the story that Candyman was based on. It was very short and I don't recall it having much action in it. Personally, I didn't really care for his writing style that much.

nobody

I don't like Clive's work- but I've given him many chances to win me over. I've watched most of his movies, and I've even read two of his books.

Out of all that, I've only enjoyed watching "Lord of Illusions".

I'd say, considering the way he writes, that if you like his movies you'll like his books... they have a very similar feel to them.

Ed

Sometimes he can be a bit excremental, al la Steven King but worse at times.   However his "Imagica" is one of my all time favorite fantasy books.  Its a very creative concept, and borrows nothing from Tolkien, whom I consider great but has spawned more knockoffs than Jaws and Aliens combined.  
I like him, book wise, and his movies are not that bad either.
-Ed

Neville

If I were you I would try first either "The books of blood" or one of his latest novels, "Colheart Canyon". I like as well the other novels I have read so far, but I think he has a tendency to overwrite, like Stephen King. The stories in "The books of blood" are quite short, but they are very imaginative and daring, probably the best he's ever written.

I wouldn't bother watching his movies, though. Certainly there are much worse in the horror genre, but they are surprisingly uninspired and even conventional compared with his writings. The only sucessful Barker adaptation I've seen so far are the first "Helraiser" and "Candyman". All the rest, including the ones he's made himself ("Nightbreed", "Lord of Illusions") are only so-so.

Due to the horrifying nature of this film, no one will be admitted to the theatre.

blkrider

The BOOKS OF BLOOD are great stuff.  None of his other work has approached his early short stories, though some of the novellas are okay.   I've never really liked his novels.    

And I agree, the original HELLRAISER is great but I haven't liked any of the other adaptations, not even CANDYMAN--it wasn't bad but didn't really blow me away either.

Susan

Well i'm starting with "in the flesh" - the library only carried 3. The other was Gallilay or something and Weaveworld. They looked like rather heavy reading and I figured i'd check out the smaller one first..lol. Mainly to see if i like his writing style. I love Poe's writing (my favorite is the Mask of red death), lovecraft, King..so this may be up my alley. I've tried Straub and Koontz but really didn't care for their writing. It seems like I keep reading these books that are "acclaimed" and I can't get into them..like "I am legend", "Alas Babylon" etc etc. I liked the beginning of "Lucifers Hammer", although dated, but the ending just went on and on like a dog gnawing on a bone. I've been going through a "i need to find a new favorite author" phase i guess.  I started to re-read "insomnia" by King again for lack of anything else. I remember when ir ead it I kept thinking it was a really great concept and could never figure out why it didn't catch on as a more popular read.

Btw, I own "nightbreed", it's not a GREAT film but it's a great saturday evening flick that I make popcorn and watch. The concept is really good. Where it suffers is the humor (played out by the psych ward guy who peels off his face and later ends up as the sidekick spitting out one liners) and the ridiculous ending. It could have been way darker but oh well. I liked Hellraiser when it came out, very scary but it's seen it's day with me.


nobody

I can't stand Stephen King books. I did love one of the books you mentioned though- "I Am Legend". It's too bad that both movies based on IAL weren't worth a crap at all.

ED

Gallilee is a good book in concept but such a SLOW mover.   Once again, I recommend Imagica.  From there Weaveworld and maybe the great and Secret Show.  Those are the ones I like best in that order.  Movie wise I loved HellRaiser (and Hellraiser 2, but I don'tthink he had anything to do with that) I liked Nightbreed, but it  is a throwaway movie in my book, not really outstanding.   I have not seen the other
-Ed