Douglas E. Winter

This is a very pro-biased look at Clive Barker and his work, but that's okay with me. While not a fan of everything Barker has put out, I absolutely recognize him as one of the singular talents of the writing profession.

The book goes above and beyond most biographies and their "he was born, then this happened, then this, then this, then this..." style and Winter delves into the deeper meanings and connections along the way.

I think the only thing I could have done without were the multi-page show more summaries of every single story Clive wrote from his plays, through the Books of Blood, and right up to Galilee. For anyone who's actually read the stories (and really, are you going to dig into a thick bio of the author without having read any of his stuff?) it was a touch frustrating, but the analysis that followed each was always interesting.

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Barker many years ago at a convention, and got to both chat with him while he was painting, as well as a couple of days later when he autographed a few of his books for me. In both cases, I was struck by a man who could have easily walled himself away from his fans, but instead was incredibly gracious, welcoming, patient, and, even more shocking, actually interested in what each fan had to say. Virtually every other author I've dealt with for autographs asks my name, then puts their head down and throws a comment in and hands it back with a thanks. Clive, when I handed him the books, considered the covers, then asked, "which one do you like the best?" and when I answered, smiled and asked, "why?" which then sparked a five minute conversation on the novel.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's often disappointing to meet those you have a picture of in your head, because they often can't measure up in person. Clive, on the other hand, exceeded every expectation I had of him—exactly as he does in his best fiction—and this biography does a good job of showing that aspect of the man.

Highly recommended. show less

As much as is known about Uncle Stevie and his work, there are actually quite few straight up biographies of the man. Winter convinced the author that he should let someone write about him who he trusted, and he trusted Winter. So, Winter dove deeply into the early life and work of Uncle Stevie, and conducted several no-holds-barred interviews. Those enlightening interviews make up the best bits of the book. This account only covers up through about 1986, before the publication of [It]. But show more each of the books get their own chapter, with tons of background material. For the constant reader who is constantly thirsting for a preface or foreword or afterword from Uncle Stevie to tell us he rest of the story, this book serves as a book length version of that.

5 bones!!!!!
Highly recommended show less

I was a little disappointed with this book though I was forewarned by a snippet from an anthology of essays on pulp fiction I read some years back which I cannot recall the name of at the moment. This book follows a format of synopsis of parts of the discussed work with plot points paired with biographical anecdotes from Stephen King|3389|Stephen King's life along with some uncritical commentary and the direct interpretation of symbols in the said work. Between the biography and analyzed show more bits of King's work you would think some great insights could be found but no. To me, and I am not the biggest fan of Stephen King's work by the way, this book simply does not provide any unique insights or cast a new light on Stephen King's oeuvre up to its writing (1984) and does little than the previously mentioned to explore King's work. To be frank, it seems the author is manually stimulating Stephen King and providing copious amounts of lube to boot at the turn of every page. I really cannot recommend this book. However, I do recommend Danse Macabre and On Writing A Memoir of the Craft. Although both are written by King himself, they do a much better job of digging deeper. show less

The end of the world can make fascinating fiction. The subject has been pondered since the invention of stories, sometimes fueled by new scientific developments, biblical prophecy, social changes, world wars, and of course fantastical concepts such as zombies and monsters. I jumped on getting this anthology because of that - not only short stories catered toward Revelation and the end, but also because it had strong writing talent powering it.

Each story set by different century - 1900 to show more 1990

Not only short stories about the end of the world, or sections of it, but the anthology follows a timeline to tell morbid scenarios based on the time periods. In the fifties we had different fears that we do currently. Authors chose their sections of the world and how they were affected, not keeping them centralized to only a certain region.

Sometimes anthologies are mixed bags, but I'm happy to see this one has made my top three list in terms of quality and diversity. Clive Barker is usually a writer that sucks me in to his stories, but I'm sorry to say I couldn't lose myself into his opening and ending stories for some reason. Still, the offering is so good I'm still keeping that 5 star rating.

Some of my favorites:

The Big Blow by Joe R. Lansdale - This story took me by surprise because I didn't know what to make of it. In a town where racism is rampant, a big-mouthed boxer has been hired and sent by the local rich goons to take down a rising champ in the boxing ring. There's a decent amount of bizarre sex, abuse, and work-ups until the big fight, which takes place during a hideous hurricane. Not scary at all, but disturbing a bit, it's mainly a tale that shows how the strong can sometimes survive the greatest odds. I like who the winners were at the end and how it was wrapped up. The story is mini old-school noir tone with writing technique. Not politically correct - at all - but well-done and enjoyable.

If I should Die before I wake - David Morrell touches on scary illness - the Spanish Influenza reborn. Stunning story told through a small-town doctor's point of view, starting with him treating a young boy he had delivered years before, watching the family fall before his eyes. Besides the tragedy of so many deaths and it spreading like wildfire, there was the sobering ending with him and his personal demons. Such a sad but well-done ending that brings the story up a level.

Aryans and Absinthe - F. Paul Wilson - Another fascinating story. Set in the time right before the world went boom with Hitler, a man sees a premonition of the starving and tortured running toward him. Is it a psychic vision after he becames enamoured by Hitler's speeches before his arrest and rise, or is a side affect of the absinthe? Well written, intriguing, and different. I still can picture that weird look on the friend's face at the end. So far, by the third short story, this anthology is really rocking it. Each story has made me reflect on different periods of history, all in different ways.

Riding the Black - Charles Grant - Well-written and beautiful prose, dark subject I'm embarrased to admit I don't fully get. I think it's tied in with one of the four famous horseman. Loved the ending, another good story after the bomb and the war, in 1945 timeline. Dark and supernatural.

Triads - Poppy Z Brite and Christa Faust - was certainly unique - it was about a cultural turned physical war in China told through two "owned" men who were feminized and in a homosexual relationship. Their bond was fascinating, it was about family, connections, growth. Hard to describe it without spoiling, so I won't.

Fixtures of Matchstick Men and Joo - Elizabeth Massie - This short story was tragic - told about the end of the world for two people who find themselves in a cult. Instead of a regular cult led by a leader for religious reasons, it ties into government backing with controlling hippies and freethinkers back in the sixties. It shows a desperate woman who has a limited mind and is easily deceived, blended with a genuine free-thinker man who was good in spirit and not easily led. While he may not succumb to cult thought, he does let himself be controlled by love/guilty, which can be its own kind of trap. -

The Word - Ramsey Campbell - Cerebal and a little confusing, but sobering and awesome, it's about a jaded critic who encounters someone who really holds power in his words. Is he the second coming and the real Word, or is it something else supernatural similar to in the Mouth of Madness when people became obsessed with Sutter Cane?

If you're hunting for an anthology that focuses on end of the world, interesting stories that are focused on theme, or that mix crime with a small blending of horror, this is definitely one to try. show less