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Frank Cotton's insatiable appetite for the dark pleasures of pain led him to the puzzle of Lemarchand's box, and from there, to a death only a sick-minded soul could invent. But his brother's love-crazed wife, Julia, has discovered a way to bring Frank back—though the price will be bloody and terrible . . . and there will certainly be hell to pay.
It must be arbitrary, then, the place at which we choose to embark.
Somewhere between a past half forgotten and a future as yet only glimpsed."
And here is as good a place as any to begin with Clive Barker, the author of strange and scary stories such as the novel that begins above, Weaveworld. Barker is probably best known as the creator of the Hellraiser franchise -- which began with the novella The Hellbound Heart; later became the 1987 horror classic that Barker directed; and was then a comic from 1989-1994. He accomplished the print-to-film-to-comic trifecta again with Nightbreed, the film version of which was released in 1990.
Barker drew attention with his early '80s story volumes, Books of Blood. His first novel, The Damnation Game, not only put him on a par authors such as Stephen King but earned praise from those same authors. He is widely admired for weaving into his scary stories complex themes about human nature and desires.
In addition to crafting his signature novels, a chilling amalgam of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, Barker is an accomplished artist. (His comic Ectokids is in development as a movie project at Nickelodeon.) He has also written for children -- a fact that surprises readers familiar only with his disturbing adult oeuvre. But, in fact, his children's tales (The Thief of Always, Abarat, etc.) are among his most imaginative.
No matter what his audience or medium, Barker's stories are effective because it's clear that he takes his work, and his genre, very seriously -- and expects the same from his audience. In an interview with Barnes & Noble.com, he told us "[Fantasy and horror] liberate us into a world in which our frustrations and our repressions can take an exoticized form, rendering them more safely and also, if we dare, more approachable."
Clive Barker is such a great writter, whom I find strangley underrated, and proves it with this tale of the desires of the human heart. A really sick and fun story, The Hellbound Heart shows just how far a man will go to experience all the pleasures of carnal lusts and his wildest desires. The characters brought into the tale are all great and fun to explore...done throughout the Hellraiser films (1&2!!!)...and the main, sickening couple, Frank and Julia, are most memorable. The Cenobites, the hellish creature thought to be able to grant you your wildest wishes, are called upon by Frank after he opens a puzzzlebox, and he asks to experience the pleasures of the flesh; not knowing that his definition of pleasure wasn't the same as theirs. Later Julia finds that he is "living" within the house she has just moved into and also figures what it takes to keep him coming out and reconstructing himself...
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted June 10, 2012
Barker is an excellant storyteller. If your only exposure is the film, there are differences but i feel they add more to the characters.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 19, 2012
A VERY GREAT STORY. POSSIBLY HIS BEST.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I just love Clive Barker's sick and twisted mind.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 22, 2011
I love this book......! It' way better than the movie! A must read for any horror movie fans out there!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted July 15, 2011
Great book they need to put weaveworld on the nook next
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jac8304
Posted April 5, 2011
I paid 6.99 new at bn last year. Save 2 bucks and buy the paperback. As for the book, fantastic read, wonderful author. Must have for Clive Barker fans and horror enthusiasts. Even though it is horror, and gross at times, Barker has a wonderful voice and underneath the gore he tackels some really interesting subjects.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.'The Hellbound Heart' served as the inspiration for the movie 'Hellraiser'. I am ashamed to say I have only seen the second movie and one of the countless straight-to-DVD sequels. It's really quite amazing how butchered the ideas Barker came up with have become with each subsequent film iteration. First and foremost, as usual, Barker writes with subtle grace that has won him numerous fans and sets him apart from the typical genre author. The story is short, sweet and to the point. The violence is relatively sparse but rather intense, and even that may be up for debate. Thematically, this is a story of obsession and repercussions. As for the assertion that the films have deviated significantly from the source material I'm afraid that further explanation may give away some rather enjoyable parts of the book. If you enjoy HP Lovecraft then it is reasonable to assume you will enjoy this novella.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 27, 2013
My fave book
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 23, 2012
Nothing like the movie but still very good. I'd dare say it's even better.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anthony_Gradney
Posted March 14, 2011
Great novella....just the right amount of horror and suspense in a beautifully written package. Wish I had discovered this writer earlier!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.AVID_BOOK_READER82
Posted November 26, 2009
This Clive Barker novella will satisfy the taste of any horror fan. It's a great story and Barker goes to great detail to make even the strongest of men squirm. I've read this book a few times now and each time the read goes a little quicker. If you like graphic violence, mixed with a little sexual deviation and some demons... check this book out! Give it a read. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This book was a little too short for my taste. I don't think I really would have cared for this book at all if I hadn't already seen the movie. I don't really care for Clive Barker's writing style and I don't think I will be picking up any of his other books any time soon.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 14, 2009
Although Barker is an eloquent and often beautiful writer, his images are among the most horrific ever put to paper. This is a shocking and graphic story of violence and love, pleasure and pain, cynicism and hope, among other contradictory emotions. Barker has a depraved imagination which he lets run free in this short, thoroughly engrossing novella. While many of the passages repelled me and made me feel revulsion, I could not put the book down. A must read for all fans of modern horror at its most gruesome and viceral. This is a book I will not soon forget.
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Posted November 11, 2008
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I realy enjoyed this book. It was horrific and fun to read. Clive Barker is a fantastic writer ad has a wonderful way of illustrating even the most fantasmagorical details. A must read if yoou like to be scared and horrified. My imagination ran wild while I read this short but very sickeningly sweet book. two thumbs up!
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Posted July 17, 2008
This is a short book, but it keeps you going. The hell bound heart, is a great horror novel about, greed, want, and love. Read it.
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Posted November 26, 2003
This book is so cool! The imagination in this book is so mysterious and bizarre which makes it unlike any book you have read before. Clive Barker proved again that he is one of the greatest horror writers ever and if you liked the movie Hellraiser, you will definetely love this book.
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Posted December 26, 2003
This is a pleasingly short book on which the horror classic Hellraiser is based. For once I really would rather watch the film than read the book, the story is sluggish to say the least. Based around the Lemarchand box and its ability to conjure up the cenobites who will lead you to pleasures untold is a good premise but one that hasn't been given that classic Clive Barker touch, maybe the problem is it is all set in 'the real world' and not in one of his fantastical places - something which he does far, far better. Whilst it will fill a rainy afternoon quite enjoyably it is not one that you will want to pick up time and time again.
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Posted August 19, 2003
Hi, I think Hellraiser is the best thing since sliced bread. I looked every where for the Hellbound Heart and when I finally found the book is even better then the movie. I'd let Pinhead walk my earth. Biggest Fan they'll ever have, Teila L.
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Posted May 30, 2000
Clive Barker's very best. Fast paced, terrifying, and haunting.
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Overview
Frank Cotton's insatiable appetite for the dark pleasures of pain led him to the puzzle of Lemarchand's box, and from there, to a death only a sick-minded soul could invent. But his brother's love-crazed wife, Julia, has discovered a way to bring Frank back—though the price will be bloody and terrible . . . and there will certainly be hell to pay.