Clive Barker, Mister B. Gone

First published back in 2007, Clive Barker unleashes once again another dark and devious piece of adult fiction, after the recent releases of the first two youngster friendly ' Abarat 'instalments. The UK saw the initial release of ' Mr B. Gone 'in either standard hardback or a very limited edition slipcased release that came hand signed by Barker and numbered in only one thousand published copies.

The novel is centred around the unfortunate character of Jakabok Botch (or Mister B. To his friends) who is a demon from the Ninth Circle of Hell. The reader is immediately thrust into the novel, with Botch addressing the reader directly from the outset, demanding that this very book be burnt. From here on in, Barker nurtures a close relationship between the reader and the character of Botch, with an entirely unique and devilishly original approach to the book.

The setting for Jakabok Botch ' s story is quickly established, with a beautifully written account from the character of his childhood and the torments he suffered therein. The already twisted tale soon takes on a new pace, as Botch is thrust up through all eight other circles of hell to find himself a captive in our world.

Of course, Botch ' s entrapment doesn ' t last long and soon the story is following the demons escapades as he explores our world along with a companion he meets early on by the name of Quitoon (another fellow demon).

The storyline finds itself taking on a new route, with the news of an invention that is to change the world forever. This draws the demons to its location and indeed the climax to this dark tale.

With such a fiendishly clever concept for the delivery of Botch ' s story, Barker manages to go one step further than the first-person-narrative approach and actively engages the principal character with the reader throughout the tale. On regular occurrences, often after a dramatic development has occurred, Botch will once again demand of the reader that this very book be burnt right now...or suffer the consequences. This cunning play with the reader manages to pull them in to the storyline again and again, forcing the reader to feel very much involved with the tale.

' Mister B. Gone 'has another great difference to that of Barker ' s other work. Unlike his previous books, the novel follows a very singular storyline, with no elaborate inter-weaving subplots that carefully carve out the direction of the main storyline. This singularly focused approach is almost unnoticeable whilst you read the book, only becoming apparent on later reflection. This clearly shows how well constructed and engaging the story is, allowing Barker to keep the reader fully submerged in the tale throughout with only a handful of characters.

The characterization is superb throughout. Each new encounter with an individual being brought to life by the undeniable skill of the author. With so few principal characters within the novel, Barker instead injects a very passionate life into each secondary character along the storylines way.

The novel is nothing short of cunning in its delivery, which adds so much more to its overall impact. The character of Botch feels like he is almost a reality now. Not just a character within a tale. Barker has brought Botch to life, making him a living breathing demon that is just waiting to tell his story once again.

Barker has managed to deliver a new, exciting and truly unique tale that once again delves deep into the dark depths of his imagination. ' Mr B. Gone 'is 249 pages of pure entertainment that each and every one of its readers will find so very difficult to put down.