In the Flesh (original 1985; edition 2001)

Mr. Barker is simply one of the best authors today. ( )

Book Description: Poseidon Press, 1986. Hard Cover. Fine/Fine. First Thus. Perfect copy.

Hardbound in a dust wrapper which is in a protective Mylar sleeve. Fine/fine.

Mr. Barker is simply one of the best authors today. ( )

It has been at least 10 years since I read any Clive Barker and I found it quite enjoyable to revisit the genre. This is a collection of 4 stories, each of which blends the world as we know it with a monstrous and supernatural world of our nightmares. Some of the nightmares are familiar from popular media, such as the Candyman figure of the second story - The Forbidden. Some of the nightmares are reminiscent of our childhood fears, as occurs in the first (and for me, scariest) story - In the Flesh. Barker's talent is in expressing those horrors in such a way that it makes the skin crawl and the hairs stand up while you are reading. ( )

After my initial disappointment, I started to get into the stories, and remembered why I used to like Barker so much; still do, in fact.... If you're looking for a brief trip into fantasy/horror, with tentacled monsters and other yucky stuff, this little collection could fit the bill.

Read the rest of my review of In the Flesh on my blog, The Nerd is the Word.

http://nerdword.blogspot.com/2008/01/3-in-flesh.html ( )