The Great and Secret Show

Having read Clive Barker's (Amazingly Written) The Books of Blood, I choose The G&SS largely based on my read and these the store reader reviews. I am generally a fan of the SciFi Fantasy genre and have on occasion read some Stephen King. My expectations for this book may have been too high and that may be part of the problem here.
To start with, the developemnt of The Jaffe character and his acquisition of the ART, was surprissing brief. This is a 700 page book and for my tastes I would of preferred more development. On the contrary, I thought the story of the League of Virgins to be the best part of the book and it was at that point that I was drawn into the story.
After that however, I became bored and had a REAL hard time finishing The G&SS. I always finish a book and found myself not picking up the book for weeks on end until I could muster enough strength to finish it. I am not saying that the whole book was boring. There are some parts of it that I did find fascinating to read. The whole Tommy Ray thing was great but for my money didn't go anywhere and was left on the clothesline like a pair of dirty underwear never properly washed so you really aren't sure whether or not you want to wear them again.
In a nutshell, take the middle of this book (after the League of Virgins), send it to the recycling plant and do some good for the environment.

This is by far my all time favorite Clive Barker. It is a book that just blows you away! Epic fantasy/horror/love story/adventure, this book has everything and more. I was swept away into the imagination and mind of Barker and the characters were so real to me that they became a part of my life. I Love this book! This is an "involved" book; you become "involved", and it stays with you for a long, long time. I was eagerly awaiting the second book of the Art, Everville, but, I hate to say, that was a dissappointment. It was readable, but did not hold a candle to The Great and Secret Show

I've read many horror/fantasy/mystery novels in my time, some by Clive Barker, Stephen King, V.C. Andrews.. I have to say the way this was constructed, the imensity of thoughts/dreams it provokes, the normal turned insane characters, the way the illusions are described.. to give a glimpse at a reality beyond all our understanding just makes me want to scream its so WONDERFUL yet scary!!! i could not stop reading.. (even while i was driving i probably risked my life to read a few lines!!) i cant wait to read the next in the series... PLEASE READ IT!! I want as many people as possible to share my experience!

Quite simply the best book I've ever read. Admittedly, it's my first Barker book, but as a huge literary horror fan (lovecraft, matheson, young koontz, etc), I found myself absolutely redefining my expectations of what the genre of horror fantasy can be. Clive paints uniquely searing, vivid, and psychedelic events and unforgettable characters, combined with a relentless pace that kept me absolutely obsessed for 658 pages. Clive's ability to tell a sweeping, encompassing horror-fantasy epic in such an easily readable, yet profoundly moving and contemplative way, is testimony to the fact that he is eons ahead of any other horror and/or fantasy writer today, and has truly earned the title the back of the book praises him with, a master storyteller. The only drawback to this book is for those unfamiliar and uncomfortable with Clive's style of unapologetic in-your-face descriptions, including: erotica, love, horror, incest, murder, bestiality, gore, dreams, nightmares, etc. If, however, you are ready to hear one of the greatest stories of good and evil ever told without averting your eyes, it's a crime not to read this book. A timeless classic that trumps any other story I've ever read. On to Everville!

Clive Barker is the most innovative as well as the most vivid imaginitive fiction writer i know of. His characters spring to life and stay with you
even after youve set the book aside. Ive read over a hundred books and this is still in the top 5. You can tell Clive cares about his characters and that he is sharing his personal Visions with us. The best writers and writings come from the heart and clive barker has the most unique perspective of most any other writers ive read.

I Have enjoyed this book each of the 3 times i have read it since its first release. This book is a classic and is part of what propelled clive barker into being noticed, i think it was the 2nd bestseller he ever had. This book actually changed and inspired the direction of my life thanks to the vivid visions of clive barker, they were so compelling, hinting at something else that it came to grow in my own philosophy for a long while.

I will read it again i know and still not be able to believe all the things he brought to life through that book and is now alive and in my like a runaway
dream with wonderfull creatures with fantastic powers, unheard of rivalries. Clive barker was still hand writing his books at this point i believe. I love everything this guy does i feel a sort of brotherhood with him.

In the Omaha"Dead Letter" office sits Jaffe. In America's lost letters he stumbles across a secret world and learns of the Art. He begins journy to learn the Art and the key to Quiddity, the dreamland that inspires all man kind. Jaffe finds a man named Fletcher to help him create the Nuncio, a mix of science and magic that forever changes both men and starts a war between good and evil that will threaten Quiddity's dreamshore and unleash the nightmares that lie beyond. This book is epic from beginning to end and is full of great characters (Tesla Bombeck is my favorite). And it's amazingly imaginative... Clive Barker's imagination gives horrors from snakes made out of a crazy man's feces and seamen to holes torn in reality to reveal the hidden dreamworld and the apocolypes beyond. I can't recommend this book more.

Barker once again proves that HE is the true king of horror/fantasy. From start to finish, you can't help but be totally and completely within his masterful trance. His ideas and storytelling are always fresh and original, as so are his characters. A much quicker and easier read than Imajica, which is also very good. In other words, if you're tired of the usual horror/fantasy crap that certain "best-selling" authors put out, then give Barker and this book a read. You won't be sorry.

The Great and secret show is a masterpiece. Fiction in any genre, does not get any better than this great piece of fantastic, mythical, thought provoking mind bender of a book! The characters are great and fun and a reader would be crazy not to read a book this engrossing. The Great and Secret Show is pure storytelling and will always hold a place In my life of great fiction and Mr. Barker is the best of the best! Loved it!

I have read the other reviews, for this edition and the others, I have to agree with most of the other comments. This would have to be the best piece of literature I have ever read. Clive Barker can truly paint a picture with words. I love the erotic mystery and the struggle that evolves as the story unfolds. I could not put the book down, it is definitely a book that you only read when you don't have to go to work next day. After reading Great and Secret Show, I was addicted to Barker. Everville would have to be the next best as the Great & Secret Show was fully revealed in Everville. Barker is truly a master of words.

Lyn Buxton Australia

Randolf Jaffe works in the Dead Letter Office in Omaha, Nebraska where he stumbles across people talking about the Art, which is something that exists in another plane of existence. He learns about Quiddity, which is called a dream sea where people float in their minds when they are born, when they fall in love for the first time and when they die. He wants to find out about this Art, so he leaves to find out more about. This leads to a huge battle between good and evil in a tiny California town where the residents do not know what to make of bizarre creatures that impregnate virgins, feed off of people's fears and dreams, and the threat of huge creatures trying to break through the plane of existence to bring hell on Earth.

I tried to read this book many years ago, but didn't enjoy it back then. I think a lot of it had to do with that I loved when Clive Barker wrote about England in so many other stories. I was put off with almost all of it taking place in California since I did not view that as some exotic place and I became bored. I don't have that issue any longer, so I gave it another show in reading it.

I loved it this time. It is a very big book, but it is an epic story and it needs to be long. I love how when other authors write fantasy and they create an entire different world that does not take place in any sense of the real world, but Clive Barker created this world in the middle of the real world. There were extraordinary beings interacting with ordinary people, and I enjoyed reading their reactions.

My only complaint about it was after building up to what would be the final climax, there wasn't a great sense of urgency towards the end of the book. I didn't have my usual sense of trying to find out what was going to happen next, skimming over lines, forcing myself to go back and read slower so I wouldn't miss anything, but then going back to skimming so I could find out what happens next. Also, Barker has been very descriptive in other stories about horrors, but when he was trying to describe the huge, big baddies that were trying to break through, they didn't sound very gross or horrific.

Even with those complaints, it wasn't enough to destroy my overall enjoyment of the book. Also, the very ending gave hope to the sequel (Everville) and another epic adventure.

It is difficult to review this book without reviewing Everville as well...so I won't. This is an Grand scale guide through the world of the spirit that spares nothing in it's quest to convey the vastness and rich heart of that which is both within and beyond the mortal realm.
Here the reader finds the Kabbalah (Mem b'Kether Sabbat), Thoth, Jungian Archetypes, and an all consuming world/story unparalleled in scope and ambition.
What Imajica did in one book (albiet large) Barker, here, attempts to do in three (GOD...how long must I wait for the third book Clive?!). Barker even claims that he will eventually combine all three Books of the Art into one massive tome.
Breathe deeply from the Tree of Life, swim in Quiddity...and come inside.

Randolf Jaffe works in the Dead Letter Office in Omaha, Nebraska where he stumbles across people talking about the Art, which is something that exists in another plane of existence. He learns about Quiddity, which is called a dream sea where people float in their minds when they are born, when they fall in love for the first time and when they die. He wants to find out about this Art, so he leaves to find out more about. This leads to a huge battle between good and evil in a tiny California town where the residents do not know what to make of bizarre creatures that impregnate virgins, feed off of people's fears and dreams, and the threat of huge creatures trying to break through the plane of existence to bring hell on Earth.

I tried to read this book many years ago, but didn't enjoy it back then. I think a lot of it had to do with that I loved when Clive Barker wrote about England in so many other stories. I was put off with almost all of it taking place in California since I did not view that as some exotic place and I became bored. I don't have that issue any longer, so I gave it another show in reading it.

I loved it this time. It is a very big book, but it is an epic story and it needs to be long. I love how when other authors write fantasy and they create an entire different world that does not take place in any sense of the real world, but Clive Barker created this world in the middle of the real world. There were extraordinary beings interacting with ordinary people, and I enjoyed reading their reactions.

My only complaint about it was after building up to what would be the final climax, there wasn't a great sense of urgency towards the end of the book. I didn't have my usual sense of trying to find out what was going to happen next, skimming over lines, forcing myself to go back and read slower so I wouldn't miss anything, but then going back to skimming so I could find out what happens next. Also, Barker has been very descriptive in other stories about horrors, but when he was trying to describe the huge, big baddies that were trying to break through, they didn't sound very gross or horrific.

Even with those complaints, it wasn't enough to destroy my overall enjoyment of the book. Also, the very ending gave hope to the sequel (Everville) and another epic adventure.

It is difficult to review this book without reviewing Everville as well...so I won't. This is an Grand scale guide through the world of the spirit that spares nothing in it's quest to convey the vastness and rich heart of that which is both within and beyond the mortal realm.
Here the reader finds the Kabbalah (Mem b'Kether Sabbat), Thoth, Jungian Archetypes, and an all consuming world/story unparalleled in scope and ambition.
What Imajica did in one book (albiet large) Barker, here, attempts to do in three (GOD...how long must I wait for the third book Clive?!). Barker even claims that he will eventually combine all three Books of the Art into one massive tome.
Breathe deeply from the Tree of Life, swim in Quiddity...and come inside.

"The Great and Scret Show" is undoubtedly one of the best books of our time in the genre of the horror/thriller/action epic. This book takes you on a ride through the lives of numerous deeply developed characters and the hauntingly chilling (and thrilling) ways that their lives are entangled through the "art". Although is may seem starnge that you haven't heard of his work, Barker is arguably the best storyteller that this generation has had access to. His stories are beautiful, horrifying, erotic, suspenseful, and believable at the same time. This is also, most likely, his best work. This book can easily consume your life, and when it is finished, it feels as though you have been in another place living another life. That is the work of a great story teller, which Barker certainly is. "The Great and Secret Show" is the best of his stories.

If you are looking to get into Barker, start here. If you are looking for something creepy, fun and smart then look no further. Everybody I know who read this, loved it. Barker does an absolutely perfect job of baiting our curiosity. He hones in on the sense we all have, that there is more to our daily lives- something bigger. He uses that basic premise to lure us into learning more about his secret dimension lurking close by. Its addictive.

This is a masterpiece of imagination from Barker. Randolph Jaffe was a failure post office employee who wanted to be big, but ended up small. Along with his co-workers he started opening mail and, in doing so, found a secret that another world existed besides ours. Thus, he went to find this world and with it the power to rule. Not learning anything from his own miserable life, he mistreated the power to create evil. Thus he opened the gates to our own world and created a battle of chaos. Superb.

This book is based upon the great idea that there is a hidden pattern/world within this one that points to sinister characters. The best part is the anti-hero, working in the dead letter office, who discovers hidden and terrible knowledge about the world through reading scraps and pieces of letters. Finding this loose thread, he follows it almost unravels the world.
Unfortunately, like most Barker fiction, the book is heavily laced with homo-erotic imagery, which the reader soon tires of. The sequel is much worse at this and probably ultimately condemns Barker to classification as a "gay" writer, instead of a horror writer.

This story is truly brilliant in so many parts, and I've read a lot of stuff-Thomas Hardy, Margaret Atwood, Mary Shelley, yadda yadda. I've read a lot of crap too. But The Great and Secret Show stands out in ways that have stayed with me ever since I read it. He's no Lord Byron (duh, who the hell is) but he's a damn fine writer, and his works are rarely boring. The man has ways of conjuring up images and elements and ideas that, no matter how bizarre or trivial, flow together seamlessly with all the horror and the macabre. The ideas of the dead-letter office, the deserted crossroads, the hole beneath the lake where this inhuman battle is raging (and where the young girls go to swim, being watched by the boy) are all mysterious and give rise to these inexplicable feelings of lonliness, poignancy, and a violent clash of nature's beauty, innocence, and mankind's potential for unimaginable violence and destruction. I loved the way it all came together. I really loved the idea that a "loop of time" had been created in the desert through an old atomic bomb test, and this, along with certain other elements, were only available to certain souls with certain ways of seeing. The pastoral and quiet suburban subdivisions that are teeming with evil and violence underneath almost bring elements of David Lynch's Eraserhead and Blue Velvet to mind. And last but not least, with evil being represented by "mountains and flies"...and the way that this all is described in a way only Barker can think up...it's all simply beautiful.

As a side note: Barker sometimes gets criticized for having homosexual characters in his books, a large portion of which TGASS's are-but that's not the problem. What is: well, events like Tess' incident with the gun at the mall, for example (borderline "Resident Evil", for crying out loud), and the stuff with the evil Kissoon and his bodily fluids (just overblown). He was creepy and inhuman enough without all that.

I guess the bottom line is that if you're able to get past some of that cheesy crap, you'll find these aforementioned gems more than worth it. It's a great read and very hard to put down.

this book is absolutely amazing.. it is, in my opinion, the best work of Clive Barker.. or of any author, in this generation.. it is a mesmerizing mix of action, suspense, horror and fantasy.. Clive knows how to take the reader on an amazing journey.. if you are someone, like me, who enjoys reading a book that you know could NEVER be made into a movie, this is for you.. the demand this book places on each individuals own imagination is too immense for any director to ever caputre correctly on film.. buy this book .. read it.. then read it again..

I keep coming back to this novel every few years. It is a stunning story that is incredibly unique and immersive. Even after several readings it keeps me on the edge of my chair eager for what will happen.

of course, Clive Barker's movies like Hellraiser are much better than what he writes on paper. overall it's not the best book but the contents are somewhat interesting and leaves the readers to wonder if the dream sea ever existed in this world

The Great and Secret Show is a magnificent tale of morality and ambition. Barker uses his ability to grasp a reader to the point of siglemindedness to give you a fascinating perspective on the thrill of his imagination. A battle fought between good and evil by the sons and daughters of the light and darkness. Told with so much originality that even the most supreme analytical mind wouldn't know what to expect next. A tale of a time out of time, the religion of religions', a sea of tranquility and the power of a god.
Mike Scott
Hamilton, Ontario

An epic journey full of beautifully dark events and the characters who shape those events. Barker is such an original. His imagination alone makes him worth reading. Looking forward to reading the sequel to this before the year is out.

I consider myself a fairly slow reader, but I finished this book in about a week. It was not at all hard to read or understand. I could not put it down!! I almost called off work just to be able to finish the last chapter! It's a huge mix of everything possible (love, war - not your typical war either!, murder, sex, insanity, imagination, monsters, fears, dreams) and you never know what to expect! I really enjoyed this book. "Everville" is on my bookshelf waiting it's turn to be read.

Considering I love Barkers style, imagination, ability... (hmmm, obsessed fan I am not, I promise) and The Great and Secret Show definately showcased his talents (and fairly early in his career...)
However, there is a good bit of gratuitous sex. I first read this book when I was 11... and I wouldn't let my 11-year old read it (if I had an 11-yr old!).
If you are looking for something different, here's where you should start looking. This book is strange, imaginative, different...
Just read it!!

I couldn't really get into this book, although the concept was original, this was not a nail biter nor was I looking forward to picking up this book to want to finish it. For great horror/thriller reading, I would recommend Robert McMammon.

Clive Barker is the most innovative as well as the most vivid imaginitive fiction writer i know of. His characters spring to life and stay with you even after youve set the book aside. You can tell Clive cares about his characters and that he is sharing his personal Visions with us. The best writers and writings come from the heart. I Have enjoyed this book each of the 3 times i have read it since its first release. I also reccomend Galilee.

I actually bought this book because of the great reviews. I was hoping for a gem. I had to actually force myself to continue to read it. I just couldn't find myself attached to any of the characters. I had absolutely no bond with the characters. Clive Barker is an excellent, beautiful writer. He is definitely gifted. I loved the concept of the book, but I just wish that the story was more developed. Mostly about what EXACTLY is the Art. I needed to know more about Quiddity, it's history, the Shoal, Kissoon. What exactly did Jaffe read in those letters to drive his ambition. Why did he believe those letters? I tried to get attached to the characters. Even the Good Man Fletcher. But something was missing from the characters. They lacked depth. Death boy was overboard. It's as if Barker is writing specifically for a movie. A "B" horror flick at that.

Public Reviews Written by You
Reviewer Rank: 35 Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11-20
pixel

The Great and Secret Show: the First Book of Art by Clive Barker
Edition: Unknown Binding
Availability: This item is currently unavailable.

Not Really For Me, 17 Jun 2007

Clive Barker was born in 1952 and he is the best-selling author of a large number of books, including his first book for children, The Thief of Always. He is also an acclaimed artist, film producer, and director. For four years Mr, Barker has been working on a vast array of paintings to illuminate the text of The Books Of Abarat, over one hundred of which can be found within this first volume.

Mr. Barker lives in California with his partner, the photographer David Armstrong, and their daughter, Nicole. They share their house with four dogs, five goldfish, a parrot and a large number of other pets of all shapes and sizes.

This book is a fantasy novel and describes a race against time to try to find the secret of "The Art" - a state of being or consciousness which allows its owner to transcend their humanity and enter into a heightened spiritual state - between Fletcher and the evil-intentioned Jaffe.

I had heard such good things about this author that I felt I really ought to get round to reading one of his books. I can understand the attraction of the book, but it was not really my kind of thing. That is not to say that someone interested in this type of book would not find it a page turner and I am certainly not going to start to criticise the book until I have read other offerings from the author. Suffice to say it just did not do it for me.

Although this book had a good story content I felt as though it lagged and had to push myself to finish it. However, It setts up the reader wonderfully for Everville which continues on with the story at a quicker pace with a more entertaining storyline. If you want to read Barkers best check out the Imajica books, The Theif of Always (has get illustations), or Weaveworld.

I have read, almost, the whole Clive Barker collection and in my opinion, this is his BEST! I did not want this one to end and was so involved with the people and their lives, I felt as though I was saying good-bye to my friends at the end. Although, Everville was the follow-up, it just did not have the impact as The Great and Secret Show.

This is a very good plot: twisted, dramatic, and memorable. Be forewarned, though: this book is riddled with gratuitous sex, gratuitous sex, and more gratuitous sex. I challenge anyone to find a reasonable explanation as to the purpose of the scene with the dog, the Death Boy and the dirty dancer. Also, the book would have been none the worse without the excremental references and some even worse scenes that I won't go into here. The same goes for Everville. Tesla rules.

This was a TERRIFIC read - and I MEAN terrific. It's a read page-turner of a book (all 700 pages). Well-written, well thought out and a super story. If it's not already on your bookshelf, it should be.

Two men come into contact with some arcane information, and end up on opposite sides of a battle to gain control and power. The battle continues through the next generation, when their children and others become involved. It is just not as interesting as some of his other work, I think, despite the horror and magic themes that abound.

Pros:
Excellent imagination.
Excellent story.

Cons:
Poor storytelling.

I wanted to finish off this book and be done with it so many times. The writing style did not keep me hooked on to the story. Appeared as if written while the story was prematurely conceived. Otherwise, the imagination of the author is top class. I would have preferred to read an abridged version, which I strictly don't.