Location : Cleveland, OH
How can you not at least pick this book up and examine it? It looks . . . old. Very old.
Written in 1438, Clive Barker's Mister B. Gone tells the tale of a demon, Jakabok Botch, brought to the World Above by some enterprising "fishermen." Jakabok, or "Mister B," as he is sometimes referred, tries everything he can to get you to burn the book. "Burn this book" is his mantra. Why, though, isn't clear until the last pages. At times soft, other time full of venom and malice, Jakabok weaves his tale, from his home in the Ninth Ring through his experiences in our world. As one may guess, he didn't have a model childhood, being raised in Hell. His time in our world was spent travelling with another demon, causing all manner of death, until he comes to a small town in Germany around the year 1438. And now he speaks directly to you though this book.
Barker has created a very good environment for reading this book. It looks old and feels old, lending credence to the idea that this book has been gathering dust on someone's book shelf since 1438. In fact, I had several comments about reading such an old book. The stories that Jakabok relates are good, but, as a "Master of Horror," I was expecting more from Barker and Jakabok. Yes, we are told of some of Mister B's more horrific adventures, but looking back, they weren't exactly what I was expecting. Further, there could have been more written about his exploits. While the story flowed very well, and is a fast read, there could have been more added. Why there are some holes is explained toward the end. Speaking of the ending, there is a Secret. It proved to be an interesting twist.
But somehow, I feel as though I have given Barker my time and was not paid back with a great novel. Too much pressure on him? I don't think so, since this is his first adult horror novel in quite some time. He had the time, the premise, and the great environment. But the delivery was less than stellar.
Technorati tag: book review Clive Barker
Powered By : Domino
BlogSphere V1.3.1
Join The WebLog Revolution at BlogSphere.net