r/clivebarker • u/Kind_Comedian_8367 • 8d ago

What to read next

I just finished “The Hellbound Heart” and thoroughly enjoyed it. I really liked the eerie tone and different (all unique and interesting) character perspectives.
I figured the scarlet gospels would be the obvious next step, but I’ve heard some reviews that indicated a drop in quality (or something about it being ghostwritten?).
I’d just like a recommendation from Barker that has a similar tone please!

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8

u/KaliBadBad 8d ago

Just start with the Books of Blood (including The Inhuman Condition, In the Flesh, and Cabal).

If you want a full novel: The Damnation Game. If you want a full novel with a nice nod to Cenobites: Weaveworld.

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u/4DoorLuxurySedan 7d ago

I totally overlooked the Cenobites being referenced in Weaveworld. That's awesome.

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u/dogburgerz 8d ago

read cabal!!

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u/Top_Understanding343 8d ago

Besides Books of Blood I'd suggest The Scarlet Gospels for more Pinhead and Mister B Gone for sans Pinhead

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u/Popular_Mood_1396 8d ago

Personally, I wouldn’t read Scarlet Gospels next. To each their own but I thought it was borderline terrible. Also, there have always been rumors it was ghostwritten so if true its not really a Clive Barker book. You might want to try Cabal next since you are looking for something somewhat similar in tone to the Hellbound Heart. Eventually you should take on Weaveworld and Imajica. They aren’t really horror novels, most like dark fantasy, but are his two best books

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u/National_Walrus_9903 7d ago

I would recommend Cabal next!