Clive Barker, The Hellbound Heart

Clive Barker, The Hellbound Heart - Synopsis:

"At last he had solved the puzzle of Lemarchand's box. He was standing on the threshold of a new world of heightened sensations. In moments the Cenobites - who had dedicated an eternity to the pursuit of sensuality - would be here. They would reveal dark secrets that would transform him forever. But with the exquisite pleasure would come pain beyond imagining. To escape his hideous tormentors and return to this world, he would need the help of his brothers with Julia, the woman who loved him. But most of all he would need blood".

The Hellbound Heart was Clive Barker's forth full length novel since the 'Books Of Blood' series. First published back in 1988, the novel formed a dark mix of horror and S&M, bringing a seductive trip into the erotic world of pleasure and pain. Barker rewrites the laws of humanity as we know it, with his ideas of there being no good or evil, only flesh. The novel draws you quickly into its bizarre and twisted storyline, taking you into a world of dark fantasy and horror. The characters are extremely well described, allowing the reader to sympathise with them and drawing you into the plot. Questions are brought forward throughout the novel, as Barker carefully reveals his dark concepts on life, with a terrifying reality to it all.

The novel was later to be adapted (with some differences) into the 1987 film 'Hellraiser' which was to be Clive Barker's debut at directing. The film has been dubbed a modern day horror classic and has formed a huge cult following worldwide, with many sequels to follow. The Hellraiser success also spawned a large collection of comics, models, memorabilia and other such items.

The novel runs for 128 pages in total, of which the storyline never slows from the fast pace you are thrown into. The book is a true masterpiece of horror fiction that will open your eyes to the horrific and divine.