Abarat (Paperback)

The idea behind "Abarat" echoes (as a few other reviewers have pointed out) some of Barker's other works. The young heroine of the book, Candy, finds a way into another world; although throughout the book, she feels as though she has been there before. The world she has now become involved in is called the Abarat; it is an archipelago of islands, each one representing a different hour of the day (although this world has 25 hours). This world is ruled by the Prince of Midnight, Christopher Carrion. Once he discovers that Candy is within the Abarat, with a possession he wants, it seems only inevitable that she will fall into his hands. This is a very brief outline of the story. I don't want to give too much away.

As you can expect, Candy makes friends and enemies along the way. Although this book can be read by yoiung adults, there are many layers to this story. For example, Barker tries to explore how good and evil figure when love or desire may also become involved.

I have to agree that Barker's main accomplishment with this book is the creation of Carrion. He is a complex dark character. I also think the artwork adds to this book (it played a big part in me buying the book). I do think this book has suffered in regards to reviews because it is the first of four. This is in a sense an introduction to this new world that Barker has created. If you read this book expecting the story to be completely resolved by the last page, you will be disappointed. Personally, I can't wait to read the others. It should be a colourful ride at least.

Only more visceral.

Take your classic Clive Barker storytelling from say, Weaveworld or The Great and Secret Show. Cut down the length (Nowhere near the length of Imajica), take out any ultra-gorey-barker-touches, adapt slightly for children, add usual colourful and wonderful characters and there you have Abarat. Fundamentally, it feels like a children's book for adults. It's cheery, much less dark and serious than many other of his books, and essentially works very well.

Starting with the premise of a bored heroine in a boring town, who wanders out of the city and helps a many-headed master criminal (albeit a very pleasant and polite one) escape from an evil assassin. From there she discovers the Abarat, where things are far from boring...

It's an excellently written novel, and the first in a small series (the next of which is published in September). Fantastic!

Clive Barker has succeeded in creating a universe, which although reminiscent of The Chronicles of Narnia, The Wizard of Oz and (most definately) Alice in Wonderland, manages to bring something new to the table. The story is packed with characters stranger and sometimes darker than we've ever really encountered before. Barker's dark and mischievous edge really lends the fable a suspenseful tone, while his usual magically inspired imagination takes us into a world full of wonder, mystery, magic and danger.

This is a beautiful book, in all respects, richly illustrated in full colour by Clive's own unique paintings. Get the hardback version while you can - not only is it pure joy to hold in your hand, it could well turn out to be worth something in years to come!

A really good, gripping, traditional fantasy tale... with something to drag those of ALL ages along on a truly fantastical journey. Let's just hope that Disney can really do this justice - the rights have already been snapped up in a record breaking deal (More than enough to knock the glasses from a certain smug little school-going wizard's face!)

I'm already looking forward to the next installment in what is already shaping up to be a quartet of stunning and beautiful books...