Clive Barker's Books of Blood 1-3

Being older now and still remembering every horrifying adn artistic word of Clive Barker's book of blood, I have to show respect for a great writer and artist. His stories are the best in horror and the most orininal ever. Barker tells with a uncanny and vivid eye. He tells stories that wether you like it or not, will last.
Enough said to the KING of horror and Imajjica.

I came upon the books of blood recently. I read it like 10 years ago and was really entertaingly disturbed. I think some of the short stories are classics that set imagination realms for other reader to follow. ( I noticed a couple of barker influences in Akmal Shebl's The Human Effect, and even the latest Gailamn) I don't mean any harm by this. But like Dracula is the inspiration of all time Vampire bestsellers. Barker is an inspiration for a horror and gleemly enlightened fantastique worlds.
The Books of Blood is like reading 10 bestseller horro books. Every story is original and steeping into gore. I like the story about the vegetarian woman the best, the train at the end of new york city. Hail Barker who doesn't write as sharp as this anymore these days.

... wherever we're opened, we're red. So Barker begins his jaunt through slicked carnage & chattering horrors with a glib, vaudevillian quip. This collection is not for the feint of heart; neither to the genre or the author.
If you are new to Clive Barker's work, look for one of the less expensive editions of this collection of short stories. It's definitely recommended reading for anyone getting into the horror in general, as he writes in several styles and displays skill in many of the classic horror forms (the ghost story, the haunted house, etc). Given the size & cost of this particular edition, it's not practical for the casual reader, however, it would make a fantastic gift for a committed fan. The vast amount of material assaults the senses & creates a fugue state of dread. The presentation is severe: the book itself is oversized & nearly three inches thick. Stark black lettering on sterile white frames a small, crimson image on the cover, a bloody smear of a painting laughing out at you. The pages are a heavier weight, and the fonts are crisp and stern. If you have a Barker fan in your life, or are a fan and looking for something to spoil yourself with, I highly recommend this.

As being Barker's first leap into the writing scene you can clearly view what kind of writer he truly is. As is tagged all over the book, even Stephen King praised Barker's genius after his Books of Blood. With stories like "The Midnight Meat Train" and "The Pig Blood Blues" you can really see how deep Barker's dark intuition for horror can go, much like Alice and the rabbit hole I'd wager. But he also gives you intros into his other literary devices with stories like "The Yattering and Jack" which is more of a comedy story than horror most of the time and "In The Hills The Cities" delving into what he would later adopt lovingly, fantasy. The first omnibus of The Books of Blood is a must have for Barker fans and King fans alike, or should you just enjoy a strange and bloody story to tide you over this is exactly what you're looking for.

Rating: 9.5/10

- Digital Cola

I have never been much of a Stephen King fan, but in my opinion, when Barker writes horror, he surpasses King by far. That said, Barker does not limit himself to just horror writing, however, in my opinion, he excells at it and it's that genre that I enjoy most. After reading the different reviews for this book, I see that many different readers differ on which stories are their favorites, however I will not waste space by naming mine because if you are fortunate enough to read this collection of short stories, you will most certainly decide for yourself which ones you like.
I was lucky enough to have met Mr. Barker in 2005 during one of his public appearances and I will say that he is an amazing person who seems to actually be grateful for his fans rather than viewing them as a commodity and I think that that endear him to his fans, it certainly has endeared him to me. I look forward to his upcoming release, The Scarlet Gospels.