Clive Barker - The Books Of Blood

[dem]

In light of recent comments, and because for some reason, he rarely receives a mention on here, an instant, no frills Clive Barker 'Books Of Blood' thread.

Clive Barker - Books Of Blood Volume 1 (Sphere, 1984)

Clive Barker

Blurb:

The dead wrote on the boy’s flesh. Turned him into a living BOOK OF BLOOD. These are the stories they wrote …

The Midnight Meat Train:
a stomach-churning ride on the New York subway, to feed the Old Gods on human meat.

The Yattering And Jack:
Man versus Demon, in a black comedy of lunatic violence …

Pig Blood Blues:
They told Redman the pig was possessed, but he didn’t believe … until the nightmare came trotting after him.

Sex, Death And Starshine
The show must go on. Even if the audience has just risen from the dead!

In The Hills, The Cities:
There are monsters nobody has ever dared imagine before; vast enough to take your breath away. And they’re waiting in the hills …

nightreader on Clive Barker - Books Of Blood

Clive Barker – Books Of Blood: Volume 2 (Sphere, 1984)

Clive Barker

Blurb:
In the second volume of Clive Barker’s Books Of Blood, five more tales of mind-shaking terror ….

Dread
One man’s obsession with fear drives his victims one step beyond sanity, to unspeakable slaughter.

Hell’s Event
The race is on. And the Devil will take the hindmost

Jacqueline Ess: Her Will And Testament
A story of sex and power, and the bloodbath that awaits us at the limits of desire…

The Skins Of The Fathers
Once, they had fattened a human child, these monsters from beneath the desert. Now they want him back…

New Murders In The Rue Morgue
History is about to repeat itself in Poe’s notorious street, as old horrors return to shed new blood!

Clive Barker – Books Of Blood: Volume 3 (Sphere, 1984)

Clive Barker

Blurb:
Another five stories to take you to the brink, in the third volume of Clive Barker’s Books Of Blood ….

Son Of Celluloid:
There’s something haunting the old cinema. Something that gives you a taste of stardom … then sucks out your eyes!

Rawhead Rex:
The ultimate monster is on the loose, with a hunger that won’t be satisfied this side of Hell.

Confessions Of A Pornographer’s Shroud
When the Porn Kings tortured Ronnie Glass to death they didn’t believe in Resurrection. They do now.

Scapegoats:
Four lost people on a lost island, with the dead calling from the sea…

Human Remains:
Gavin was a whore, happy to sell his body for hard cash. Until he met the creature that wanted to own his flesh forever.

Clive Barker – Books Of Blood: Volume 4 (Sphere, 1985)

Clive Barker

Blurb:
In volume IV of Clive Barker’s Books Of Blood, five more marrow-curdling excursions beyond the pale:

The Body Politic
What happens when we lose control of our own hands? Murder, murder and more murder.

The Inhuman Condition
The knots were tied by a master, to bind monsters. Not that Karney knew that when he started to untie them …

Revelations
Twenty-five years ago the Motel became known as The Slaughterhouse of Love. Tonight’s guests are about to find out why.

Down, Satan!
Gregorius spent his fortune building a Hell on Earth. But every Hell needs its Fallen Angel …

The Age Of Desire
The aphrodisiac worked beyond its makers’ wildest dreams. Now their guinea-pig’s in heat… and Death is just another one night stand.

Clive Barker 's Books Of Blood: Vols 4-6 (Sphere, 1988)

Clive Barker

The Body Politic
The Inhuman Condition
Revelations
Down, Satan!
The Age Of Desire

The Forbidden
The Madonna
Babel's Children
In The Flesh

The Life of Death
How Spoilers Bleed
Twilight At The Towers
The Last Illusion
The Book Of Blood (A Postscript): On Jerusalem Street

Blurb
From the brilliant World Fantasy Award winner Clive Barker come fourteen spine-chilling stories of darkness unleashed, gathered together in one volume for the first time. These are visionary tales of terror which will curdle the very marrow in your bones ....

Clive Barker - The Hellbound Heart (Fontana, 1991)

Blurb:
THE DOORWAY TO ULTIMATE PLEASURE

At last he had solved the puzzle of Lemarchand's box. He was standing on the threshold of a new world of heightened sensations.

In moments the Cenobites– who had dedicated an eternity to the pursuit of sensuality – would be here. They would reveal dark.secrets that would transform him for ever.

But with the exquisite pleasure would come pain beyond imagining. To escape his hideous tormentors and return to this world, he would need the help of his brother's wife Julia, the woman who loved him. But most of all he would need blood.

'A real marrow-welter... it plays on the darkest fears and fantastical obsessions of the human psyche: chilling and compelling' - SCOTSMAN

take it away, ladies and gents ...

[dem]

Clive Barker (Macdonald, 1991 edition)

Dread: "There is no delight the equal of dread. As long as its someone else's." Niave twenty-year old Stephen Grace is lured into the dark world of Quaid, a hyper-intelligent philosophy student ten years his senior whose obsession is the innermost fears of others. Despite himself, Stephen stupidly confides an incident from his childhood when he suffered tinnitus and felt entirely isolated from the world around him. Quaid makes a mental note of that one for future reference.

The one student Quaid has a hard time getting through to is the very gorgeous Cheryl Fromm, so passionately vegetarian she despises his leather jacket almost as much as, initially, she despises him. Cheryl makes the fatal mistake of insisting that she is entirely fearless, which, of course Quaid takes as both affront and challenge. Sure enough they become lovers and Quaid seemingly changes his ways, binning the jacket and growing a really rubbish moustache at her insistence. She'll pay for that.

Over the holiday, they shack up in a house on the already partially demolished Pilgrim Street to be away from it all. And that's when Quaid puts his little experiment into operation. He's rigged a concealed camera in an upper room, and that's where Cheryl will be held prisoner. With a bucket. And a leg of meat. Until she cracks.

Quaid invites Stephen over to show him his holiday snaps. Stephen, both appalled and fascinated, studies the perils of Cheryl set, and is so engrossed that he fails to identify the reek of chlorophome until the cloth is over his mouth .....

It transpires that, at the root of Quaid's obsession is his own morbid fear, namely, that the demented clown from his nightmares will creep into his bedroom and slowly butcher him alive. With a now unhinged Stephen on the prowl and lusting for revenge, that horrific scenario just became a distinct possibility.

A harder, contemporary take on Erckmann-Chatrian's Victorian chiller The Three Souls, taken beyond its logical conclusion into gore territory. In the wake of the Saw movie franchise (which Dread possibly inspired), it's almost a model of restraint, but likely didn't seem that way in 1984!

John Newton Howitt: The City That Dared Not Eat, The Spider, October, 1937

The Midnight Meat Train: A serial-killer stalks the New York Subway system, hanging his victims upside down from the hand rails to drain them of blood. Leon Kaufman, a new arrival in the city, catches the industrious murderer at work. It's not unusual for a deranged maniac to claim he's a mere servant of higher entities but Mahogany really is, though at fifty he's not as fleet of foot these days, and has all but outlived his purpose. When the midnight train arrives at its destination, the perpetually famished undead City fathers emerge from the tunnels to greet it.

Re-read this recently and, consciously or otherwise, it owes a debt to Robert Barbour Johnson's Far Below. Thought the sequence where Kaufman, fleeing through the carriages, chances upon the bodies of the slain was terrific, like something out of a John Newton Howitt painting when he was going hell bent for lurid. The confrontation with the cannibal city founders and outcome of same is also very effective. The blurb on back of the Sphere edition describes the story as "stomach churning" and much was made at the time of the explicit gore, sex and violence in Clive Barker's work, all very true but compared to, say, Laurence James he was a model of restraint. Which is not to say James was "better", just that The Witches still retains it's power to disgust and even scare me whereas The Midnight Meat Train is a really good horror story.

The Body Politic: It's the Beast With Five Fingers apocalypse! After forty years loyal servitude, the hands of Charlie George have had enough and instigate an uprising. First they throttle wife Ellen as Charlie sleeps, then the dominant right, "the Messiah of this New Age", selflessly severs left with a meat cleaver to set it free on London. First stop, the Monmouth Street YMCA for a night of revolt, murder and mutilation on an industrial scale. Contains veiled reference to The Rats (in scene where Lillian the vegetarian is attacked on a lonely road) as added bonus.

Sex, Death and Starshine: Another macabre comedy (the book has several). The Elysium Theatre, Redditch, is on its last legs, but former trustee Lichfield and his equally dead actress-wife Constantia are determined to give the old place a decent send-off. Trouble is, rehearsals for Terrence Calloway's production of Twelfth Night are not looking the least promising due to the miscasting of talentless soap-star Miss Diana Duvall as Viola. After whittling down the bulk of cast and management in gory fashion, the living dead intervene to salvage opening night.

[royk]

I remember how impressed I was when I first read these books.  I know I'm stating the obvious when I say he was a most original voice and really knew how to tell a horror story with some terrific scenes.  It seemed amazing to me that these were (I think) previously unpublished first stories.  I liked them more than anything else of his that I read later.

I bought the 6 Sphere 1984/1985 paperback editions which I believe were the first editions.  I take it that the covers shown are for later (hardback) editions with covers by Clive himself?  It looks like his style. And I think Sphere did two hardback Omnibus editions later with covers from the paperbacks.   I seem to recall reading that he sold the stories as either one booksworth (or maybe two) but Sphere wouldn't do them that way as they doubted they'd sell like that, as so many unpublished stories by an unknown writer. They didn't know what they'd got. I assume the Omnibus editions were more like the way Clive wanted them published.

[erebus]

Would love to add my favorite five stories, but sadly I only have books 1,4,5 and 6. The slim Sphere paperbacks above were superb, and I'm kicking myself that I never bought them all, I only have number 1 in that format. Number 4-6 are in the collective volume book also above. On ebay a while back but I missed out on them because I was out in the pub and I didn't hear the ebay alert on my phone ( I will give up beer one day ).
A revist is in order and I must get the remaining volumes 2 and 3. A personal favorite was Rawhead Rex though, I bought the graphic novel for this, excellent it is too. Very violent and gory, and he looks nothing like he does in the film.

[royk]

RAWHEAD REX indeed. Difficult to know when to stop choosing, but a favourite for me is THE SKINS OF THE FATHERS in Volume 2 (sorry).

There seem to be a lot of copies of book 1 of the first edition on ebay, though none of 2 and 3 for some reason.  There's a copy of a reprint of volume 2 at Abe Books

goo.gl/jClmiD

though, as it's a later edition which I'm not familair with, I'm not sure whether that's actually book 2 of 6 or the second omnibus.

[dem]

Feb 1, 2014 20:37:08 GMT royk said:

I bought the 6 Sphere 1984/1985 paperback editions which I believe were the first editions.  I take it that the covers shown are for later (hardback) editions with covers by Clive himself?  It looks like his style. And I think Sphere did two hardback Omnibus editions later with covers from the paperbacks.  

The first four covers in the original post are Sphere paperbacks from 1984/5, then a later Sphere omnibus edition (Vols 4-6), and yes, the artwork is credited to Clive Barker himself. Second thread is a hardback (again credited to CB) and a typically lurid John Newton Howitt shudder pulp painting from 1937 which has nothing much to do with The Books Of Blood at all, except it sort of compliments a scene from The Midnight Meat Train.

The avalanche of critical acclaim scared me off The Books Of Blood for years, and I only got around to them much later when the fuss had died down. Human Remains, Midnight Meat Train, and Dread were particular favourites. Have been meaning to get stuck into a rematch for ages, but then a novel about flesh-eating lobsters or something will turn up, and Mr. Barker slips back down the pile. Don't know why, but other than the odd short, i've never felt inclined to try his later work beyond The Damnation Game, which didn't really do it for me.

[royk]

Well, I think I only read THE DAMNATION GAME after the short stories too and it didn't do it for me either. 

Flesh eating zombie lobsters and you've got me.

Roy

[erebus]

Its scandalous that such a good post hasn't had any votes above So much in fact I have gotten hold of the two volumes I didn't have, and with the remaining ones I have I'm going to have a Books of Blood Bonanza. Stay with me though it could take time, you know what its like when you feel the pull of another book and get distracted.

[erebus]

Incidently, along with the Rawhead Rex graphic novel, I also have The Yatering and Jack. And four volumes of Tapping the Vein. Each volume had two books of blood stories within. But I class it as cheating if you haven't read the original works over the artwork.
Whilst on the subject of Tapping the Vein. Did/Have any members physically seen or have the fifth volume ? It just seems so damn rare. Does it even exist ? Ive only ever seen pictures.

[cauldronbrewer]

Feb 6, 2014 9:10:53 GMT erebus said:

Its scandalous that such a good post hasn't had any votes above

I haven't read all of The Books of Blood, but I voted for my top 4 stories: "The Forbidden," "In the Hills, the Cities," "Sex, Death, and Starshine," and "The Last Illusion." Barker has a great imagination, though he can be a bit over the top for my tastes.

[erebus]

Well this post inspired me to buy the two volumes I didn't already have and read through them. The halftime report after reading numders 1-3 is very very good.
A few of the stories I was obviously familiar with due to reading them elsewhere,Graphic novels or movie versions. But you cannot beat the written word and some of them here are quite breathtaking. As said earlier Rawhead Rex will always be my favorite. I even liked the daft film version, but this story is very graphic in its detail, and there was not a chance of this being put back on screen as its written. Children are literally eaten alive head first and tore to shreds, as is a pony And if that isn't controversial enough Rawhead even finds time to go into the local vicar's home and indulge in a bit of Hands solo. Volume three is the best so far .
Son of Celluloid was going to be another filmed. I don't know why it hasn't yet, maybe the poor response from Dread and Book of Blood, but I would prefer it left on the page. It to has some strong imagery, and I certainly do not know how they could film the scene with Marilyn Monroe producing the eyeballs from an intimate place.
Confessions on a Pornographers Shroud is brilliant, This was the first time I had read this and I loved it. A murdered man reanimating his form in his death shroud and getting his revenge. Superb. And the ending is fitting as the villain gets a great send off.
In The Hills and Cities was a little to bizarre for me. I just couldn't envisage the giant people giants so to speak. And I had to check a volume of Tapping the Vein to get my head around it visually. And Hells Event had its moments but it to became a little to out there. Thats not to say they are bad, its just the other tales are so strong.
Jacqueline Ess : her will and Testament was great. Not sure for what reason she is given a second chance after her suicide attempt, but if you can be granted those Scanner type capabilities why not. Loved the descriptions of the way she destroys her victims, very Salvadore Dali. And it did remind me of Scanners for obvious reasons .
Dread is another good story. And being a vegi myself it drove the horror home a lot more to me than maybe some others. I have yet to see the movie, although the trailer makes it to look something way different to this. Midnight Meat Train was a good film version. Although the ending of the story is far more satisfying. As is the case with Book of Blood the opening Tale of the first volume.
Sex Death and Starshine and Human Remains are brilliant. The latter reminding me of a Spanish short I once watched called Genesis. An inhuman doppleganger destroying a mans life. And the former about reanimated actors was another stand out .
Underwater zombies are always a winner for me, thats what made Human Remains a gem. And although it didn't exactly fill in a lot of missing pieces and unanswered questions, New Murders in the Rue Morgue, regardless of this was great.
Pig Blood Blues has always been a popular tale, its ok but it seems to be over before its begun if you will. And I always wanted a little more form this. And The Skins of the Fathers helped itself with the good finale it had with the townsfolk being sealed into the hardened surface of the sands. A scene Barker would later use in his film Lord of Illusions.
And finally The Yattering and Jack. Not really all out horror ( try telling that to the three pussycats ) but even in that its a brilliant yarn, and one that slightly echoes his latter book Mister B Gone.

Loved reading through these. I'm going to break off for a while to catch up on some other books demanding attention. Then I'll attack the final three.

[Evil Scientist]

I've only read Vol. I. It has some mind blowing stories. I really like the introduction, it sets the pace for the whole undertaking. Midnight Meat Train is a bit too "splatter" for my taste, but is extremely well-written. Now, The Yattering is a personal favorite!! Funny, weird, creepy... Pig Blood Blues is probably the weakest link - it lacks the glimpse of brilliance the rest possess. Sex, Death & Starshine is hilarious... "the dead need entertainment too" is my favorite line from it. And that super creepy blowjob scene. In The Hills took me by surprise: I expected some sorts of a "rural cannibals torture tourists" gimmick, but it ended up being this epic fantasy horror tale. Which I personally really like. The descriptions of the GIANTS are amazing, true visceral horror taken to the next level.



Have you noticed how almost all of vol. I stories are composed using a twofold technique? First Barker introduces one of the characters, then the narrative switches to another. Jack // the Yattering; Mahogany // Kaufman; the two tourists // Vaslav.

[bobby]

    It looks like we'll soon be getting a new Clive Barker collection for the first time in over 25 years.

subterraneanpress.com/store/product_detail/tonight_again

[Deleted]

Oct 20, 2015 2:08:28 GMT bobby said:

    It looks like we'll soon be getting a new Clive Barker collection for the first time in over 25 years.

subterraneanpress.com/store/product_detail/tonight_again

If it's as appalling as THE SCARLET GOSPELS and MISTER B. GONE then I won't be going anywhere near it. I find it seriously hard to believe that Barker even wrote the former. Either he's lost his authorial voice or his editor is doing all the heavy lifting these days, and making an utter hash of it.

[erebus]

Really ? Is Scarlet Gospels bad ? Was considering getting a copy, but a few people have said its poor.