Great and Secret Show, The

Inhoud

The First Book of the Art. Armageddon begins with a murder in the Dead Letter Office in Omaha, Nebraska. A lake that has never existed falls from the clouds over Palomo Grove, California. Young passion blossoms, as the world withers with war. The Great and Secret Show has begun on the stage of the world. And soon, the curtain must fall. In this, the First Book of the Art, Clive Barker has created a masterpiece of the imagination that explores the uncharted territory within our secret lives and most private hearts. Sprawling, ambitious, triumphantly magical and satisfying. The Great and Secret Show is what the rest of life is all about.

Bespreking

The past, the future, and the dreaming moment between - a masterpiece

When Randolph Jaffe applies for a job in the "Dead Letter Office" in Omaha, Nebraska he has no clue of what kind of world he is about to enter. Most of the lost letters that are brought to his office are of no importance - unless they contain money, of course. But once in a while the content of a letter suggest more than a common human will ever be able to understand. They talk about crossroads between worlds - thin spots in the fabric of reality. It doesn't take long before Randolph is totally hooked. But when he is about to be fired, a murder changes his plans completely: he now must find a crossroads - even if this means losing his life.

There is only one word strong enough to describe this book: masterpiece. Clive Barker is admired for his fantastic stories, interwoven with erotic suspense, darkness and pure horror. This book is certainly no exception. But what makes this one so special is its vastness. Even when you only read the first pages, you know for sure that this is story huge - nothing less than epic; you realise immediately that you are on the verge of a mind-blowing experience.

This book is the first part of three. The second book - or The Second Book of The Art - is already available: Everville. As with The Great and Secret Show, it is an absolute treasure. Sadly enough, the third volume is not planned for the near future. Clive has explained in an interview that the third part is a real struggle: it has a tendency of growing bigger that part one and two together. This could only mean more joy, of course! So, please Clive, don't let us wait any longer!

This book should be on the shelf of every fantasy and horror lover.