The Great and Secret Show
Ratings27
Average rating3.8
15
Ratings27
Average rating3.8
To possess the greatest power of all, the Art, two man-spirits are preparing to fight using their mortal offspring. But an innocent passion between two of the children escalates the war to a new ferocity. Book One in a new three-volume series from master horror author Clive Barker.
Featured Series
2 primary booksBook of the Art is a 2-book series with 2 primary works first released in 1989 with contributions by Clive Barker.
Reviews with the most likes.
Chet Williamson, the horror author, (and my friend—full disclosure) carries this story so beautifully, juggling the sounds of so many different voices with ease with his lovely deep voice. And he remembers the precise sound for each character, something I can't imagine how to do. He needs to narrate more books.
The story is a true epic, down in the dirt and up the heavens with creation and sex and the nature of the world(s), and I am so looking forward to reading its sequel, Everville, also narrated by Williamson.
A great blend of dark fantasy and horror. Barker uses his warped imagination to tell an epic story.
I still can't decide if I actually liked the book. It is a very, VERY strange story, and I was intrigued and mystified by aspects of it. I recommend the book for those who want a strange journey into mystery and continuousness.
Clive Barker writes stories on a really grand scale when he's going for a novel. There is an enormous amount of world building that goes into it and it's fantasy at scale hard to conceive of. This isn't an exception, detailing the pursuit of mystical power by a lone man unsuited for it. The arc of his rise and fall is pretty great.
I don't like the coda setting it up for the ongoing saga of Trello battling evil, so I dock it a star.
