Mister B. Gone

As my first foray into the stories of [a:Clive Barker 10366 Clive Barker https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1430330407p2/10366.jpg], I wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed this book. [b:Mister B. Gone 1011632 Mister B. Gone Clive Barker https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429998358l/1011632.SX50.jpg 2851045], by the very nature of its narrator, makes you question whether what you're reading is entirely true. It's certainly not the first book to make use of the unreliable narrator—or is he?—but I loved how Barker uses it to both keep us on guard and pull us in to the narrative. Mr. B, as his friends call him, manages to be both a little threatening and charismatic enough that you'll find yourself rooting for him, though you know you probably shouldn't...there are hints and burnt edges around the corners of his story that imply that maybe you really shouldn't. A quick and engaging read, Mister B. Gone has whet my pallet for more Clive Barker.

Weeeeeirrd one. I know it's meant to be. But something about it just didn't really work for me.

A good read. Not as terrifying as I'd hoped for but chilling in a few spots intermingled with a few pockets of humour. I preferred much of the book set on earth rather than that set in hell. I enjoyed the setup of Mister B. talking from the book and the constant requests to burn the book. I also enjoyed the involvement of Gutenberg in the plot. Given many reviewers indicated this was not one of Barker's best books I think I will look to read some of his other horror books.

The first 50 pages are the “trapped demon” just telling you to burn the book, as if having a conversation. When it stops “talking” to you, and actually tells a story, it's good but the banter in between actual story telling is annoying and pointless.

The book itself is beautiful, with “aged” pages and block type print. Too bad more work went into presentation than the content.