Clive Barker
Mass Market Paperback | Pages: 210 pages Rating: 4.03 | 20114 Users | 624 Reviews
Itemize Books To Books of Blood: Volume One (Books of Blood #1)
| Original Title: | Books of Blood: Volume One |
| ISBN: | 0425083896 (ISBN13: 9780425083895) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | Books of Blood #1, Libros de sangre (edición España) #1 |
| Literary Awards: | World Fantasy Award for Best Collection (1985) |
Explanation Toward Books Books of Blood: Volume One (Books of Blood #1)
"Everybody is a book of blood; wherever we're opened, we're red." For those who only know Clive Barker through his long multigenre novels, this one-volume edition of the Books of Blood is a welcome chance to acquire the 16 remarkable horror short stories with which he kicked off his career. For those who already know these tales, the poignant introduction is a window on the creator's mind. Reflecting back after 14 years, Barker writes:
I look at these pieces and I don't think the man who wrote them is alive in me anymore.... We are all our own graveyards I believe; we squat amongst the tombs of the people we were. If we're healthy, every day is a celebration, a Day of the Dead, in which we give thanks for the lives that we lived; and if we are neurotic we brood and mourn and wish that the past was still present.Reading these stories over, I feel a little of both. Some of the simple energies that made these words flow through my pen--that made the phrases felicitous and the ideas sing--have gone. I lost their maker a long time ago.
These enthusiastic tales are not ashamed of visceral horror, of blood splashing freely across the page: "The Midnight Meat Train," a grisly subway tale that surprises you with one twist after another; "The Yattering and Jack," about a hilarious demon who possesses a Christmas turkey; "In the Hills, the Cities," an unusual example of an original horror premise; "Dread," a harrowing non-supernatural tale about being forced to realize your worst nightmare; "Jacqueline Ess: Her Will and Testament," about a woman who kills men with her mind. Some of the tales are more successful than others, but all are distinguished by strikingly beautiful images of evil and destruction. No horror library is complete without them. --Fiona Webster
Contents:
· Introduction by Ramsey Campbell
· The Book of Blood
· The Midnight Meat Train
· The Yattering and Jack
· Pig Blood Blues
· Sex, Death and Starshine
· In the Hills, the Cities
List Of Books Books of Blood: Volume One (Books of Blood #1)
| Title | : | Books of Blood: Volume One (Books of Blood #1) |
| Author | : | Clive Barker |
| Book Format | : | Mass Market Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Deluxe Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 210 pages |
| Published | : | June 1986 by Berkley Books (first published 1984) |
| Categories | : | Horror. Short Stories. Fiction. Fantasy. Anthologies. Thriller. Supernatural |
Rating Of Books Books of Blood: Volume One (Books of Blood #1)
Ratings: 4.03 From 20114 Users | 624 ReviewsJudgment Of Books Books of Blood: Volume One (Books of Blood #1)
I finally finished this and was sorry I waited because the last 2 stories I really enjoyed. Especially the one about the giant human mass which was just genius! Just picturing it in my head was so much fun! Mick and Judd were very likable characters too. My other favorites were The Yattering and Jack and Pig Blood Blues. Highly recommend even if u are not a Barker fan. I'm so glad I have part 2 and 3.Terror fiction at its macabric high! And I say this even after skipping one short story (Pig Blood Blues) in this collection. I mean I can handle a lot of weirdness but a story with 'human eating' pigs.... *shudders*! Overall a good volume consisting of terrifying pieces of morbid deliciousness ☠😁!
I've tried reading Barker a couple of times and given up. MISTER B GONE and SCARLET GOSPELS are two that spring to mind.Now I know that Barker has some hardcore fans and they're always shocked when I say I haven't liked anything I've read.When I tell them the titles I tried they are never surprised. It appears I picked two of his weakest....Anyway, the one recommendation that always comes up is BOOKS OF BLOOD.I had a voucher for a free audiobook so thought I'd give this one a go. SOOOO happy I
I am not a fan of Clive Barker the Novelist . I'll read his novels from time to time, but I try to stay away from his fan's favorites. His books are some of the most overwritten literature I've stumbled upon. But the readers who enjoy him seem to like that aspect of his work. He reminds me of a present day Lovecraft without all the fish people, squid-faced gods, and bigotry. Meaning, I like the idea of Barker's work more than the execution. That being said, I am a fan of Clive Barker the Short
The Books of Blood are probably the best things Barker has ever written. These stories are not just (or always) scary, but extremely imaginative. In this collection, the story "In the Hills, the Cities" certainly stretched my brain. "The Yattering and Jack" is also memorable, as a tale of a demon trying to trap a soul, that verges on the slapstick.
After an introductory story that's ripped off the Illustrated Man we get:1.The Midnight Meat Train (2.8/5). A decent story involving a serial killer working for a, literally, underground organisation. Barker hits the brake before the train derails but that's it.2.The Yattering and Jack (3/5). A lighthearted comedic story about a failed attempt at haunting. Good, not great.3.Pig Blood Blues (2/5). Not exactly bad, but Barker tries so hard to come up with new ideas that he introduces us to an
Horror...gore...twisted, nightmare imagery...let's get under the covers and read something scary... There are some truly blood-chilling moments in this excellent collection. Barker has a very unique voice and I thought all of these stories were at least good, with several being remarkable 5+ star worthy gems. Deeply evocative with shocking depictions that will glue themselves to your memory. This is a worthy collection for fans of the genre or anyone who enjoys quality, creative writing and
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