Clive Barker

[Frankentroy]

I saw an older post where someone had mentioned Abarat but they seemed to only mention those books. I'm not as well read as many of you I'm sure but of the authors that I have read, Clive Barker has the best imagination in my opinion. I liked the Abarat books very much although they'll never compete with HP, which is what they were mostly intended for. Barker's best in my opinion are Imajica and Weaveworld. The Great and Secret Show is also very good. Barker can be wordy at times and Imajica does take 80 or so pages to get going but after it does, it's well worth it. Many people pass Barker up thinking him to be a horror author but if I had to classify many of his works, the afore mentioned included, it would be fantasy. It's not traditional dragons and elves but it's fantasy just the same.

[twyrch]

Frankentroy said:

I saw an older post where someone had mentioned Abarat but they seemed to only mention those books. I'm not as well read as many of you I'm sure but of the authors that I have read, Clive Barker has the best imagination in my opinion. I liked the Abarat books very much although they'll never compete with HP, which is what they were mostly intended for. Barker's best in my opinion are Imajica and Weaveworld. The Great and Secret Show is also very good. Barker can be wordy at times and Imajica does take 80 or so pages to get going but after it does, it's well worth it. Many people pass Barker up thinking him to be a horror author but if I had to classify many of his works, the afore mentioned included, it would be fantasy. It's not traditional dragons and elves but it's fantasy just the same.

Welcome to the forum Frankentroy! I don't remember this author being mentioned, but his books sound interesting. I might pick one up at the library someday.

[dinadan]

I wish he'd make a novelization of his concept games Undying. That game scared the begeezus out of me.

[Frankentroy]

Thanks for the welcome! If you pick up one of his books, I suggest Weaveworld. It's not as imposing as Imajica (800+ pages) and most people I read that like Barker like it the best. My favorite is Imajica but that's just me.

[Shazammm]

Coldheart Canyon has to be one of the best wirtten books i've ever read.....Barker is a genius.

[Nauda Argetlamh]

Why not try the Books of Blood series, they are short story collections of horror and fantasy. Most are only about 20 pages long so quick to read. Clive Barker is one of the most imaginative writers around and well worth a look.