The Hellbound Heart is on of Clive Barker's best known stories, and the inspiration for the Hellraiser movies. A few differences aside, this is basically the story of Frank and Julia (the first movie), and an introduction to the Cenobites. I won't mention any of the differences here (you'll have to read the book and watch the movie to figure those out, my friend), but they do make a world of difference. In most cases when a book is translated to film you hear people commenting, "The book was better." In my opinion, this is one of those rarities when the movie outshines the book. That's not saying that the book isn't worth reading; I'm sure a true fan of the series would love to know the origin of Pinhead and the other demons we've come to know and love over the years. But after comparing the book (a novella consisting of 164 pages) to the movie, I thought the movie was much more developed, and the changes made therein strengthened the story and offered a better view of the characters (especially the Cenobites). That is why I gave teh book an "average" rating. I decided to buy the book because A) I am a horror buff, B) a long time fan of Clive Barker, and C) a long time fan of the Hellraiser movies. Speaking of the movies, the first one was the best, and speaking of Clive Barker, The Books of Blood (all six volumes) are some of the strangest, most entertaining and well-written stories I've ever read. But don't take my word for it, check them out for yourself.Read full review
I bought this book because it was required for a college course. It was interesting and different, but I thought rather dreary. Throughout the whole book, the atmosphere is melancholy and the characters are predictable. Every character is obsessed with someone or something to an unhealthy level, and not one person seems to be mentally stable. This is definitely a fantasy. However, if you're looking for a totally new monster(s) to read about, Clive Barker did well coming up with the Cenobites. These are beings that live in an accessible, other world promising pleasure beyond your wildest dreams (pleasure to them is pain). What they look like, act like, their world, and what they create out of the lost people seeking more than what their unsatisfying lives have provided is descriptive & leaves no loose ends. Barker did well on that count, by providing us with a new & different monster to read about. I feel if the storyline is supposed to be scary (which it is horror) Barker should have been more versatile with the world outside of the Cenobites. He's black & white when there's so much more in our world. If he could've made this believable then I think the other demon world would have had more impact on the reader. Since all the characters are so depressed and unsatisfied with what life has dealt them, it's hard as a reader to really care what happens to them. There's no life in them to begin with, and attempting to take it away.... well, who cares at this point?Read full review
A good value and a quick read, also a fun one but by no means one of my favorite books.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I decided to get this book because I love horror. I like Clive Barker's films, tales, and art. The Hellraiser series are some of the scariest films I can think of. This book is only 164 pages with 11 chapters. I went through it in a few short hours and couldn't put it down. It's very graphic and gory, especially towards the end. I could see everything happening in my mind. It's one thing to read about the Cinobytes being in the character's home...it's another to dream about them being in your own!
A great book in great shape!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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