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Summary: You wont be disappointed
Review: This book was a really good book to read. Fantasy books really interest me the most because they are more fun to read. For example fiction books are too real. I feel those kinds of books to informative and nothing magical happens, but in this book Thief of Always it's a totally different story. Throughout the whole book it was magical. In the book there is a boy who is bored with his life and just wants something to do. He gets invited to go to this house and at the house he has so much fun with his friend he meets. After a while he and his friend try to get away from this house. When they get out they realize something bad has happened to their families. You should read this wonderful book because there is a great theme to it. Even thought it is for younger children it will still be great to read.
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Summary: For the ageless kid in all of us.
Review: At first, I wished it was longer. But now, even after finishing it in one day, I love it just like it is. It's a short, sweet, and terrifying fable that is a great read whether you're 8 or 80.
I am a fan of Barker's, but sometimes he goes a bit overboard. This is written in a plain, straightforward manner, making it an easy read that intrigues you from the very first paragraph.
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Summary: An endearing fable that is timeless
Review: I first read Clive Barker's enchanting story, "The Thief of Always," in sixth grade. I loved it so much that it never left my mind, and I found myself often thinking about it in highschool, though I unfortunately couldn't remember the title. I was recently lucky to come across the exact same paperback edition at a bookstore brand new, and bought it with joyous whoops of exultation. The story has got it all: fantasy, horror, memorable characters, and deeper meanings. The novel is about a young boy named Harvey Swick, bored and entrapped in the torpor of a dreary February. He gets a visit from an unlikely character named Rictus who proposes he take a much needed vacation at The Holiday House, a place where children can have all the fun they want. Harvey agrees and leaves behind his world into the magical fantasy world of The Holiday House, which seemingly appears to have all that a child could ask for: presents, delicious foods, ever-changing seasons--Halloween and Christmas every night! But behind this pretty facade lurks a sinister plot that tests the fortitude of Harvey and his friends, challenging him to fight back for his very soul. I highly recommend this story. Albeit it could be classified as a children's story, it is apt for all ages. Another treat about this book (at least the first edition, anyway) are the wonderful illustrations drawn by Clive Barker himself, which really evince the remarkable genius that he possesses. I urge parents to go buy this book and read it with their children, or read it for themselves! It is truly a great story.
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Summary: A wonderful fantasy for everyone
Review: I love Clive Barker's works: his books, his art, his movies. OK, now with that said let me try to give an unbiased review of this book. I loved it!! Once started I could not put it down. The whole story was interesting and fun and very exciting to read. The book is meant to appeal to all ages and for the most part it does. It is a tale involving magic, fantasy, fun, and children. Harvey, our ten year old hero, finds himself whisked away to the Holiday House where all the solutions to a bored afternoon are given to him. He later discovers the price he is paying and bravely proceeds to battle with the House. A good tale told in the vein of a fairy tale but in modern, magical times. It also comes with illustrations as done by Clive himself which perfectly match the story. They add to the wonder of discovery as you read. In case you are worried, the illustrations are pretty tame compared to a lot of his other work. The illustrations from The Thief of Always do not come close to the graphic nature of the pictures found in Clive Barker Illustrator. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone, including young children.
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Summary: A great book
Review: I think that The Thief of Always was a great book. This book was about a ten year old boy named Harvey whose life wasn't quite as exciting as he wanted it to be. He was sick of the same old routine and wasn't having much fun at all, until one day he got a strange visitor who changed his whole world around. When Harvey arrived at the Holiday House it was everything he hoped for, and more. Harvey was having the time of his life, until one day things started changing around the Holiday House, and he realized that things weren't quite what they seemed anymore. This book is very exciting, and full of adventures and surprises. It always seemed to keep me guessing, but never bored me. This book makes you think a lot about life in general, and I think it is suitable for people of all ages. Although when I first started reading the book I didn't think I'd enjoy it, by the end I loved it, and I'm sure you will too.
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Summary: A book for ALL ages!
Review: It is a story of a young boy named Harvey, who, like any 10-year-old, wants to have fun, be careless and carefree--but at what cost? We never see the dangers of our actions that can lead to horrifying revelations. Harvey is sitting quietly in a bus, minding his own business, whe the mysterious Mr. Hood come into play. What does he want? What does he offer? It leads Harvey to a new and what seems to be a perfect place: a place of fun and nothing to worry about. But what is real and what is true at Mr. Hood's House? Nothing, except you. You can only enjoy something for so long, and at Mr. Hood's House, more is happening than just games and diversion. Harvey soon learns... This book will be enjoyed by anyone at any age. Although the concept might be a little hefty for younger readers, but if you're older, well, you'll understand what else Barker is trying to say. I'm not exactly 12 and I've read it several times. I highly recommend it. It's one of Barker's best and I've read all of them. It's such a short book, yet has a huge impact.
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Summary: Great Book!!!!
Review: My 7th grade Language Arts teacher read this book aloud to my class. The book takes place years ago somewhere in the United Kingdom. Mr. Barker had a vast character selection. He had mythical characters such as Rictus, Jive, Mar, and Karna, but then he would write about people that you would meet everyday. The story starts when Harvey (the main character) is lured from his home by a giddy, smiling goblin named Rictus. Rictus tells Harvey that M. Hood is waiting for him. Rictus convinces Harvey to go, so Rictus leads Harvey to a mysterious house called the Holliday House. Harvey is amazed by what he sees. When he first arrives he meets Mrs. Griffin. Mrs. Griffin is extremely nice to Harvey and bakes him whatever he wants. Harvey then encounters two other children who seem to be his age. He sees one rather obese boy named Wendell. He then finds a nice girl named Lulu. when Harvey arrived it was a nice spring morning but when he comes out to play after lunch he sees that the leaves have turned red and are falling to the ground. Harvey discovers that the seasons change every quarter day and by dinner it is Christmas. Harvey realizes that all isn't well in this house and this mysterious Mr. Hood is up to something. Read the book as Harvey takes you through his adventure to find out what is really going on with this Mr. Hood. This book leads you through spooks and scares to get you excited and then calms you down with the sensitive part of the story. It is an excellent piece of writing and is great for all ages.
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Summary: Creepy at worst!
Review: Now, I wouldn't recommend this to a 7 yr-old, but maybe 12/ 13 yrs would be fine. Creepy, scary, and keeps you guessing as to why this "man" is being so nice to children! This is a must have for your personal library! I also recommend "Eternal Undying Love" by Brett Keane
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Summary: Fun for Young and Old!
Review: Prior to this novel, I had only read Mr. Barker's short stories in the combined volume of his Books of Blood. Many of those stories were pure genius, with riveting plot twists and original premises, but I must admit that I wasn't sure how that would translate into a novel suitable for all ages... It turns out that I had nothing to worry about. The Thief of Always is a classic fable with enough originality to make it fresh. I was hooked as soon as I read the first paragraph. Mr. Barker shows an insight into the mind of a child that I don't think I expected from a man who made his mark with tales of gruesome horror. Then again, I probably should have known better given the amazing insight into the human psyche that was apparent in many of his short stories. (Take, for instance, his commentary on mob mentality in "In the Hills, the Cities.") Like many children in such tales, Harvey's downfall is his boredom and his desire for something different, something fun. He finds himself drawn into a world of wonders that quickly becomes a world of horrors. Barker's supporting cast, the good and the evil, are flawlessly executed with just enough surreal charm to make you fear what might really be going on in Holiday House. The evil in the story is horrifying (without going too far for a younger reader) and Barker's message is clear. Harvey learns that nothing comes without a price and that time is precious. He learns to appreciate each moment he has with his family and friends, no matter how dull those moments may sometimes seem. In the process of making these discoveries, he also proves himself to be a hero as he overcomes his own weakness to defeat Mr. Hood. I highly recommend this book for young and old alike ... I've recommended it to my husband, since he's been looking for a light read and this one is well worth the time.
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Summary: A VERY ENJOYABLE TALE
Review: This is a very enjoyable read. You don't have to be a fan of Clive's work to enjoy this. Yet different from Clive's other work, this is one that children can actually read, and adults can enjoy this wonderful tale just as much as children.
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