The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker
|
Our Price: $8.85 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of The Hellbound Heart
Book Review: very great horror book
Summary: 5 Stars
Thrilling, suspenseful as well as chilling. For a book its small size it has great detail and a very interessting storylineBook Review: Only Clive Barker ...
Summary: 5 Stars
Only Clive Barker could write such a short story with such hooks and a vivid imagination.
Great story!
Book Review: This book rules
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best book eveBook Review: This book rules
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the best book eveBook Review: As always, the book far outdoes the movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I wasn't sure what to expect with a Clive Barker novella, to be honest I had seen movies with his name attached and had more often than not been let down. I picked this book up from a paperback swap site and was surprised at how short it was. Although and avid horror fan, I was never able to truly enjoy the original Hellraiser film, so I did not expect to be thrilled with it's source material.
I was pleasantly surprised. Although it is obvious that the original Hellraiser film follows this story almost exactly, the daytime soap opera acting kept the movie from realizing the horror of this book. I found "Hellbound Heart" to be a surprisingly quick read, easy to follow and descriptive enough to see what is being said without being overly wordy. I would have to agree with the other readers that the concept is very Lovecraftian, the style however is very different.
The story follows Frank, a disturbing man who has sought out pleasure of the senses his entire life. Viewed by others as a wastrel, he spends his time committing petty crimes and seeking to fill his lustful desires. He learns of a special puzzle box, which is supposed to open a door to the Cenobites who will show him a new realm of pleasure. Our journey starts as Frank opens the box, meeting the Cenobites and discovering the reality of their being.
What follows is a tale of lust, pain and pleasure. To what lengths will someone to go fulfill their fantasy? What are they willing to believe, to do, and to suffer through? The book is well written and can be taken at just face value as a horror tale. However it also begs to discuss the reality and strength of ones desire and fantasy. With this being one of his first novels, there are some writing flaws to be found throughout the book, but none are distracting enough to jump out at you. My main irritant was not having any background or understanding of the relationship Kristy had with the rest of the characters. At first I assumed her to be a sister, I recalled from the movie she was a daughter, and then finally settled on the idea that she was an old friend of Rory's. Her relationship is never laid out for us. I think knowing that bond would have strengthened her position in the story since she is so vital to the finale. All in all this is a wonderful quick read for any horror fan. I f it had been about 20 pages longer I think it may have even made it to 5 stars for me. As it stands in the version I read it's a 4 out of 5 star book.