The Great and Secret Show

Rating:
Summary: I couldn't get enough of it!
Review: In The Great and Secret Show: The first book of the Art, Clive Barker demonstrated amazing talent, from the paradoxical love between Jo-Beth and Howie, to Tesla's seeming Shaman qualities and the entirely separate meanings of Trinity. I found the book impossible to put down once I got past the first section, concentrating on the nation-wide battle between the Jaff and the Good Man Fletcher. Barker held my attention, as undevided as it could be, in the palm of his hand through the tragedy of the League of Virgins, the meeting and uniting of two people born for the purpose of continuing their fathers' life-long hate, and all the catastrophic events stemming from their meeting, until the final Show at the home of a famous comedian. I can't wait to read Everville, and greatly anticipate the publication of a third book.

Rating:
Summary: Classic...Excellent
Review: This book is based upon the great idea that there is a hidden pattern/world within this one that points to sinister characters. The best part is the anti-hero, working in the dead letter office, who discovers hidden and terrible knowledge about the world through reading scraps and pieces of letters. Finding this loose thread, he follows it almost unravels the world.

Unfortunately, like most Barker fiction, the book is heavily laced with homo-erotic imagery, which the reader soon tires of. The sequel is much worse at this and probably ultimately condemns Barker to classification as a "gay" writer, instead of a horror writer.

Rating:
Summary: Totally Amazing!
Review: This is by far my all time favorite Clive Barker. It is a book that just blows you away! Epic fantasy/horror/love story/adventure, this book has everything and more. I was swept away into the imagination and mind of Barker and the characters were so real to me that they became a part of my life. I Love this book! This is an "involved" book; you become "involved", and it stays with you for a long, long time. I was eagerly awaiting the second book of the Art, Everville, but, I hate to say, that was a dissappointment. It was readable, but did not hold a candle to The Great and Secret Show

Rating:
Summary: I really don't get it
Review: I read some good reviews of Clive Barker, and thought this book would be a good start to reading horror. I was very dissapointed. I read the first part of the book, the Messenger, the concept of "the Art" made no sense to me whatsoever, and i decided this was a waste of my time.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't put it down
Review: This was a TERRIFIC read - and I MEAN terrific. It's a read page-turner of a book (all 700 pages). Well-written, well thought out and a super story. If it's not already on your bookshelf, it should be.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Work of Barker!
Review: This was the first Clive Barker novel I read and I could not put it down. I followed it up with Everville, which I found equally amazing.

This is the type of horror writting I have been looking for. The concept of "the Art" is brilliant. I especially love the tie-in between our world, as we know it, and alternate worlds of pure evil.

I have read most of Barker's novels by now, with special likings to Imajica and Weaveworld. I am now looking for more authors that can give me more to read. Suggestions are welcome.

If you are looking for a brilliant horror novelist and have not read Clive Barker's works before, I strongly recommend The Great and Secret Show as a starting point.

Rating:
Summary: Truely a unique book
Review: I read it years ago and rebought it because I saw the movie The Virgin Suicides. There is a part of this book that I was reminded of in the movie and truth be told, the book is better than I rememebered.

Rating:
Summary: without doubt, the master's best.
Review: I own all of Mr. Barker's works. I have read his books in days as well as weeks. I have read King, Lumley, Koontz, and others. But none of them can compare with the tapestry that Mr. Barker was woven in this novel. The characters have been so fleshed that you can also most smell them sweat. The mythology that he has created seems real. You WILL lose yourself in the myth. The plot twists are monumental and breathtaking. The worlds that he takes us to are the stuff of dreams and nightmares. This book held me from begining to end. I have since read it three more times. No small feat. Each time the novel becomes more my favorite work of his. I was so taken with this book that when Everville came out I stood in line to purchase one of the first copies. I only wish that I could say the same for that novel that I have said for this one. I can only hope that the third book of the Art is better. That the third book is of the same caliber as this masterpiece. I truly believe that this work is his apex. His later books, with the exception of his published plays, pale in comparison. Please Mr. Barker, write another "Show" for us and make us marvel at it's beauty once more.

Rating:
Summary: The Great Show is Still a Secret to Me...
Review: I started reading this novel because I was intrigued by its premise---the idea of delving into the vast, secret netherworld of our hearts and minds. But for some reason, I finished it feeling a little disappointed. I enjoyed parts of the novel, but I think the weakness of this work is that Barker spends more time building up the idea of Quiddity than he does actually immersing us in it. I was expecting more of a fantasy ride.

Rating:
Summary: Where does it go?
Review: If you're reading this review, I assume you haven't read the story...please read it, because it is begging to be read, and you should, at least, take pity on it. The book is long because its intended purpose (as I assume) was to have immense impact on its readers. It barely missed the mark in my case. The story drew me in with every chapter. I'm not much of a reader, but I read it all in three days (after work and all.) I'm not sure of its intended audience, but I'm sure it will touch the most skeptic of them all... I won't say much about the actual story, but its fault lies in its abundance of purpose...Barker seems to be coming to some realization, when in fact....well, this is me extrapolating on the author's vision. I suggest you see for yourself.