Keram's Book Report

Notes & Reflections on Books n Stuff I Have Experienced

Arabat by Clive Barker, Hardcover

Date range read: December 2017 – January 2018

Picked up at Will Durant Public Library, Hollywood

Introduction:

What an absolutely gorgeous volume, whose glossy, heavy paper carries beautifully suggestive color illustrations by the author to embellish but never overpower the fantastic imagery he creates with the writing.

Each chapter plays like a new thought experiment but is linked one to the next in a weaving twisting yarn.

This is not a horror novel, as expected from the creator of Hellraiser, but rather a whimsical, perhaps only slightly macabre, comedic, and mythic fable.

It’s so nice to hold this tome in my hands – the tactile nature is a major component of its virtue.

Elaboration on the Novel:

“Abarat” by Clive Barker is an expansive adventure set in the fantastical archipelago of Abarat, comprised of twenty-five islands representing each hour of the day, along with an enigmatic twenty-fifth-hour island. The narrative follows the journey of Candy Quackenbush, a curious young girl from the mundane world of Chickentown.

As Candy explores the Abarat, she encounters various characters, from the enigmatic Rojo Pixler to the sinister Christopher Carrion, Lord of Midnight. Each island she visits presents unique landscapes and challenges, adding depth to her journey of self-discovery.

At its core, “Abarat” is a coming-of-age tale interwoven with themes of friendship, bravery, and the struggle between good and evil. Barker’s prose is vivid and immersive, capturing the imagination through poetic descriptions and rich world-building.

It’s a beautiful and strange voyage.

Find Arabat on Amazon

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