Clive Barker Thief Of Always Pdf
The NovelsThe Damnation Game (1985).Weaveworld (1987).The Great And Secret Show (1989)The First Book of The Art.Imajica (1991).The Thief Of Always (1992)A Fable.Everville (1994)The Second Book of The Art.Sacrament (1996).Galilee (1998)A Romance.Coldheart Canyon (2001)A Hollywood Ghost Story.Abarat (2002).Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War (2004).Mister B. Gone (2007).Abarat: Absolute Midnight (2011).The Scarlet Gospels (2015).Non-FictionThe Painter, The Creature and The Father of Lies.Individual contributions.Related books:.AnthologyThe Essential Clive Barker.Clive Barker's First Tales.Tonight, Again.The Body Book.TheatrePublished plays.Limited Editions.Proofs.Alternative Formats.
Short Stories / NovellasThe Books of Blood.Lost Souls (1985).The Hellbound Heart (1986).CabalThe Nightbreed (1988).Coming to Grief (1988).Whose Line is it Anyway? (1988).On Amen's Shore (1992).The Departed / Hermione and the Moon (1992).Pidgin And Theresa (1993).Alas, Poor Yorock (1994).Animal Life (1994).A Story With No Title, A Street With No Name (1995).ChiliadA Meditation (1997).Six Destinies / Tortured Souls (2001).The Wood On The Hill (2001).The Infernal Parade (2004).Jump Tribe (2005).Haeckel's Tale (2005).The Adventures of Mr.
Maximillian Bacchus and His Travelling Circus (2009).They're Mad, They Are (2012).The Candle in the Cloud (2013).A Night's Work (2013).Dollie (2013).Afraid (2015).Tonight, Again (2015).PoetryRare Flesh.ArtImaginer Series.Illustrator I and II.Visions of Heaven and Hell.Graphic Novels and Comics.There's a full in case the one you're looking for's not jumping out.Upcoming or unpublished works can be found inour section.
Master storyteller and bestselling novelist Clive Barker creates an enchanting tale for both children and adults to cherish and retell. The Thief of Always tells the haunting story of Harvey, a bright 10-year-old who is suffering from the winter doldrums, and of a creature who takes him to a place where every day is filled with fun, and Christmas comes every night. Master storyteller and bestselling novelist Clive Barker creates an enchanting tale for both children and adults to cherish and retell. The Thief of Always tells the haunting story of Harvey, a bright 10-year-old who is suffering from the winter doldrums, and of a creature who takes him to a place where every day is filled with fun, and Christmas comes every night.
Well I'm not sure of anything specific, but I'd say it qualifies as a modern fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel comes to mind. It's also sometimes compared Well I'm not sure of anything specific, but I'd say it qualifies as a modern fairy tale.
Hansel and Gretel comes to mind. It's also sometimes compared to Coraline by Neil Gaimen, though that was a decade later. Coraline was influenced by Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, so I'd say it's fair to say there's a bit of that in there too.
Anyway, this is all speculation about one of my favorite authors and books! 'The great grey beast February had eaten Harvey Swick alive.' Harvey Swick is a 10-year-old boy who is bored with his life - he's tired of school, homework and the winter months. That is, until a creature tells him all about a place called the Holiday House, where you can have anything you wish for and it is Christmas every evening.It's not very often that I read a book that completely changes my outlook on life. It happens once in a blue moon, but when I do find these books they are extra 'The great grey beast February had eaten Harvey Swick alive.'
Harvey Swick is a 10-year-old boy who is bored with his life - he's tired of school, homework and the winter months. That is, until a creature tells him all about a place called the Holiday House, where you can have anything you wish for and it is Christmas every evening.It's not very often that I read a book that completely changes my outlook on life. It happens once in a blue moon, but when I do find these books they are extra special. Recently I've found myself to be one of those people who are always waiting for and looking towards something in the future, whether that is the weekend or the Easter holidays or my next vacation away somewhere exotic. I'm waiting for 'better' days and 'better' times. However, once I closed this book I was left with an overwhelming realisation that THESE are those days. Life is now, time is finite.
Something exciting and enjoyable can be found in each day, even if it's something small. It can be that the barista made your latte JUST the way you like it, or it could be getting to spend quality time with your parents, or even be something as minuscule as getting bookmail (who am I kidding, getting bookmail is THE BEST). These are the books that burrow into your heart and leave their mark on you.
The books that you lend or recommend to a friend, feeling as if you're sharing some innermost part of yourself.Now that I've got the sentimental part out of the way. THE FANGIRLING CAN COMMENCE. I can wholeheartedly say that I have loved everything Barker that I have devoured so far. He is right up there in my top 3 authors now. His writing, his world-building, his imagination. It all blows me away.
I'm a huge fan of his horror - I love the fucked-up shit he thinks up, I love the gore, the way he manages to make it terrifying and fucking weird, yet beautiful. And then he comes along and knocks me out with this stunningly beautiful, touching CHILDREN'S book. I had a number of messages from people on instagram not knowing that Barker wrote anything beyond horror.
Well, he does, and if you are put off by his horror, he has other sights to show you.smug face. Like this book - THIS ONE! Get it!The illustrations are gorgeous and they are, of course, done by Barker himself, enhancing the entire reading experience. It's such a magical, wonderful story and I want everyone to experience it (but don't tell me if you hate it, cos I don't think my heart could take it!). Upon starting the book there were so many comments from people who said this book changed their life or that it was the gateway book into the wonderful world of reading. I GOT YOU, GUYS.
I wish I had experienced this book when I was young, but I am equally happy to find it in adulthood where I could maybe appreciate the different themes a bit more. However I look forward to reading this to my kids someday - or any kids - hell, maybe I'll just start reading it to random kids on the street.It's so amazing to me that children's books are often the ones that teach you the most valuable lessons. My other favourite childhood book is The Hobbit, which taught me to not be afraid to step outside your front door and go on an adventure - it really could be the making of you!So I implore anyone and everyone to pick up this book. There's so much to found within this story and the last paragraph alone had me in tears. 5 stars from me! To watch a video review of this book on my channel, From Beginning to Bookend.Ten-year-old Harvey Swick is invited to Mr. Hood’s Holiday House, a thousand-year-old dwelling that welcomes children to enjoy its rapidly changing seasons, explore its grounds filled with mythical creatures, and partake of the delicious meals prepared by the house cook, Mrs.
At first, Harvey thinks Holiday House is the best thing that’s ever happened to him, but he soon discovers not all is as it to watch a video review of this book on my channel, From Beginning to Bookend.Ten-year-old Harvey Swick is invited to Mr. Hood’s Holiday House, a thousand-year-old dwelling that welcomes children to enjoy its rapidly changing seasons, explore its grounds filled with mythical creatures, and partake of the delicious meals prepared by the house cook, Mrs. At first, Harvey thinks Holiday House is the best thing that’s ever happened to him, but he soon discovers not all is as it seems. By the time he realizes he wants to leave, there may be no way out.Though promising in premise, Harvey’s adventure is one of low stakes. He suffers from lack of want and, in the book’s opening pages, his greatest problem is that he suffers from boredom.“I’ve got nothing better to do,” Harvey said, without looking around.
“I want to. I want to.” He went to the mirror, and quizzed it. “What do I want?” The straw-haired, snub-nosed, brown-eyed boy he saw before him shook his head. “I don’t know what I want,” he said.
“I just know I’ll die if I don’t have some fun. I’ll die!”Upon being escorted to Holiday House, Harvey immediately recognizes the dwelling as a “ place built for games, chases and adventures.” He spends a considerable amount of time at the house being perfectly content; there’s a painful lack of conflict. What’s more puzzling, however, is how Barker never seems to settle on what the house is, precisely. “Come with me to the Holiday House.” (14)“You’re real,” he said, as he stood panting on the porch. “You are, aren’t you?”He started to laugh at the foolishness of talking to a House, but the smile went from his face as a voice, so soft he was barely certain he heard it, said: “What do you think, child?” (50)“It’s the House of Always.” (62)If he’d remained in the House of Illusions. (144)It was hard work hauling himself up, but he knew, when he’d finished and lay panting on the attic floor, that his pursuit of Hood was almost at an end. The Vampire King was near.
(199)He stumbled, fell, and ended up sprawled on the hard boards, staring up at the roof through a red haze of pain.And there above him was Hood, in all his glory.His face was spread over the entire roof his features horribly distorted. His eyes were dark pits gouged into the timbers; his nose was flared and flattened grotesquely, like the nose of an enormous bat; his mouth was a lipless slit that was surely ten feet wide, from which issued a voice that was like the creaking of doors and the howling of chimneys and the rattling of windows. (201-201)Is it Holiday House? The House of Always? The House of Illusions?
Is Hood a man? A Vampire King? Barker bounces around so many different names and iterations of his “ Hood-House” character that it never materializes as a fully realized idea. Further, the plot jumps around with characters starting one task and being completely derailed for trivial reasons. For example, Harvey and his friends set out on Halloween night to go trick-or-treating, but are postponed by an incident where Harvey is pranked by a friend and subsequently scared. This is all it takes to make Harvey cancel his plans for the night. No ten-year-old would let something like that stop him from trick-or-treating.The Thief of Always suffers from an inability to determine what story it wants to tell and what form its characters take.
Sooooooooo, I mentioned that I had sworn off Mr. Clive Barker yeeeeeeeears ago- due to squeamishness- Ms. Stepheny called me on it- and said, 'PLEASE. PLEASE.PLEASE- read THE THIEF OF ALWAYS before making your final judgement on allllllllll of his work'.Okay, Stepheny, I stand corrected- not all of his work is GROSS. In fact I quite enjoyed this blood-less tale.image error10-year-old Harvey Swick is bored.bored, bored with school. Bored with the dreary weather, and bored with hisSooooooooo, I mentioned that I had sworn off Mr. Clive Barker yeeeeeeeears ago- due to squeamishness- Ms.
Stepheny called me on it- and said, 'PLEASE. PLEASE.PLEASE- read THE THIEF OF ALWAYS before making your final judgement on allllllllll of his work'.Okay, Stepheny, I stand corrected- not all of his work is GROSS. In fact I quite enjoyed this blood-less tale.image error10-year-old Harvey Swick is bored.bored, bored with school. Bored with the dreary weather, and bored with his day-to-day life. BORED bore.boooooooriiiiiing.great grey beast of February.
Just as Harvey is wallowing in his dull, cruel, childhood- a man named Rictus flies up to his window and offers him an exciting alternative.image errorThe Holiday House!!! Where all dreams are possible.four seasons in a day- Halloween every evening, Thanksgiving.Christmas.any gift you can imagine- anything you could ask for. Never a dull moment. Harvey accepts- and is shown a whole new world.image error.but the longer Harvey stays.the more he misses what he has left behind.because sometimes perfection comes at a cost.image errorTHE THIEF OF ALWAYS- An enjoyable story for both young and old. I have no problem admitting when I am w.w.rrrr.oooon.g.from time to time.but don't expect it very often.;).
Edit 5: I now have a first edition thanks to a bookstore selling old books and it is in perfect condition thank you world.Edit 4: My love for this book knows no bounds because I managed to get this hard copy of the graphic novel. Signed and hand-numbered (there were only 500 of these going out).Edit 3: Did I just buy the ebook of this? Gotta be safe in case I lose the paperback copy. Always a no spoiler/no plot detail review.I wish I would have read this book when I was like 12 or 13, what a very powerful book this would have been to me. But, sadly I only just read it now at age 41 but since I'm still a huge lover of children's fiction (especially dark children's fiction) I still found this story to be every bit as magical and scary as it intended to be.This is my first Clive Barker book that I've finished. I started previous works (Mister B. Gone and The Great and Secret Always a no spoiler/no plot detail review.I wish I would have read this book when I was like 12 or 13, what a very powerful book this would have been to me.
But, sadly I only just read it now at age 41 but since I'm still a huge lover of children's fiction (especially dark children's fiction) I still found this story to be every bit as magical and scary as it intended to be.This is my first Clive Barker book that I've finished. I started previous works (Mister B. Gone and The Great and Secret Show but didn't finish either of them-not for me).But wow, I love this book. Clive Barker wrote this in such a way that the naivete of the young characters is your top layer of narration but as you read it, this subtle feeling of insidiousness grows and festers like a clogged pore.I recommend it to anyone! Anyone who loves magic, creepy illustrations and dark creatures. Evil and friendship and a morally sound protagonist fighting his inner compass to do the right thing.
Who wouldn't love THAT??Read this at Halloween, Christmas or when it's a dark and stormy night. You'll mark it as an instant classic too. And if you have read it, I'm joining you now at the Holiday House! Oh, you’re a horror fan? Read Clive Barker.Steph, check out Clive Barker. You’ll love him.Have you read any Barker? He’s brilliant!These are all things that were being said to me for the last few years.
Then I saw Stephen King saying that Clive Barker is the future of the horror genre. Well, if I am going to listen to anyone I am going to listen to Stephen King.Everyone knows this.I took the encouragement of some of my goodreads friends and went with it. I decided to go with the Oh, you’re a horror fan? Read Clive Barker.Steph, check out Clive Barker. You’ll love him.Have you read any Barker?
He’s brilliant!These are all things that were being said to me for the last few years. Then I saw Stephen King saying that Clive Barker is the future of the horror genre. Well, if I am going to listen to anyone I am going to listen to Stephen King.Everyone knows this.I took the encouragement of some of my goodreads friends and went with it.
I decided to go with the Thief of Always as it was one of the ones that was being recommended by the ones who know me best. Let me just tell you- I was not disappointed.The Thief of Always is about a boy who is very bored one day and a guy flies into his window and promises him adventure. Seems legit, right? Of course, the kid questions a few things along the way but there’s an answer for all of his questions and he has friends to play with. It’s Christmas every night and a beautiful summer day every morning.Harvey soon begins to question more and more about the house that he is staying in, the pond out back and the behavior of the people around him. He sets up an escape plan only to be horribly dismayed with the outcome.This book was truly a delight to read. It reads like a favorite children’s book blended with horror and gore.
I loved it and cannot wait to read more of Clive Barker. I have a list of recommendations from all of his fans that I am ready to dive into. This was such a quick and easy read.
It kind of reminded me of Coraline in the sense that while it is a “children’s book”, it is pretty damn terrifying too.Pick it up, you will not be disappointed.Ps. The Kindle version contains some pretty creepy artwork that is well worth viewing!
I remember being a kid and being bored, and it is THE WORST. It wasn't just the boredom, it was the feeling of needing something but having no idea what.
It will ruin your life.And that is how you become me.I don't really have much to say about this book. It's my second Barker, and vastly different than the first of his that I'd read (The Hellbound Heart). I liked this one well enough, and it's a quick read (or would have been if I didn't have this need to make new levels in Mario I remember being a kid and being bored, and it is THE WORST. It wasn't just the boredom, it was the feeling of needing something but having no idea what. It will ruin your life.And that is how you become me.I don't really have much to say about this book. It's my second Barker, and vastly different than the first of his that I'd read (The Hellbound Heart). I liked this one well enough, and it's a quick read (or would have been if I didn't have this need to make new levels in Mario Maker, anyway).
The illustrations were great, a nice sketchy style that I really liked a lot. But the story was only just good. It felt a little too message-y for me.Appreciate the time you have with your family, even when it's lame, because you never know when it might be taken away from you.So.
I probably would have liked this a bit more had I read it when I was in the target age range, but still, it's a good story.Oh, wait! It did annoy me that the cats behaved like humans though. Yeah yeah yeah, they are MAGIC cats, but they don't talk or do anything but be cats (which is what they were created to be) so when they're all 'Timmy fell down the well!' Leading someone to where they need to be, it just irks me. If they're magic, make them magic. If they're not, then they're not. That's all, for realsies this time.
Harvey Swick is ten years old and bored out of his skull. It's that dreary month of February, Christmas is over and summer is too far in the future for a small boy to contemplate. He just wants to have some fun.
Through an open window flies a man in black by the name of Rictus. His smile is all sharp teeth and is as wide as his face, but he has a glib tongue and promises Harvey all kinds of fun. Plenty of playmates, the coolest treehouse ever, and a house that is almost too good to be true await Harvey Swick is ten years old and bored out of his skull. It's that dreary month of February, Christmas is over and summer is too far in the future for a small boy to contemplate. He just wants to have some fun. Through an open window flies a man in black by the name of Rictus. His smile is all sharp teeth and is as wide as his face, but he has a glib tongue and promises Harvey all kinds of fun.
Plenty of playmates, the coolest treehouse ever, and a house that is almost too good to be true await Harvey. He's too young to know that something like this will come at a price.A magical story aimed toward the kiddos, but that managed to keep this oldster's interest with no trouble at all. Illustrations drawn by the author are a great addition to a fine story. So, when I reviewed, I mentioned that, in terms of 'Young-person-casts-off-illusions-and-outwits-a-vastly-more-powerful-otherworldly-entity-and-comes-to-appreciate-the-realities-of-life' stories, I thought this book was vastly superior. So I jumped onto Bookmooch to see if anyone had a copy. Lo and behold, a nice person in Israel was giving his copy away, so I snagged it.
And I stand by my judgment.Plus, this book has one of the best opening lines I have ever read:'The great, gray So, when I reviewed, I mentioned that, in terms of 'Young-person-casts-off-illusions-and-outwits-a-vastly-more-powerful-otherworldly-entity-and-comes-to-appreciate-the-realities-of-life' stories, I thought this book was vastly superior. So I jumped onto Bookmooch to see if anyone had a copy. Lo and behold, a nice person in Israel was giving his copy away, so I snagged it. And I stand by my judgment.Plus, this book has one of the best opening lines I have ever read:'The great, gray beast February had eaten Harvey Swick alive.' Can't beat that.Harvey Swick is ten years old, and like so many ten year-old boys, he is bored with his life.
The interminable grayness of February, the drudgery of life - going to school, coming home, going to school again - and believes that, if his life became the tiniest bit more boring, he would certainly perish.Then he met a strange, smiling man named Rictus, who told Harvey of a wonderful place where boredom could not enter, and there was nothing to be had but fun and adventure. There is no better place for children, Rictus said, than Mister Hood's Holiday House.Thinking about it, given that Harvey was willing to follow a strange man to a mysterious house without much consideration for his safety, suggests either that Harvey is not very bright, or Rictus is extremely persuasive. Given the rest of the book, I'd bet on the latter.The Holiday House is truly a place of miracles. The food is better than you've ever eaten and there are enough toys and games and costumes and masks to keep any child happy for the rest of their lives.
Clive Barker Thief Of Always Pdf Art
And in every day there are four seasons - a perfect green spring in the morning, a blazing wonderful summer in the afternoon, an evening full of woodsmoke, pumpkins and fallen leaves, and every night is a white Christmas with a present for each boy and girl.It is the best place Harvey has ever been, and it takes him about a month to realize that something is not. Why would the mysterious Mister Hood do this for children? And what happened to the children who had come before? And what's the deal with that cold, deep pond full of big, creepy fish?It's a very quick read, but a very good book. ”I know a place where the days are always sunny, and the nights are full of wonders.” Said the small man who mysteriously appears in Harvey's bedroom on a blustery rainy day. The day is a day in February, the worst of months. The month that swallows the hope of summer.
Before the man can fill further promise, he is gone, but with the words, “Watch for me!” Perhaps it had only been a dream.The man called Rictus does appear again, floating down from a cloud in his puffed-up coat. This time ”I know a place where the days are always sunny, and the nights are full of wonders.” Said the small man who mysteriously appears in Harvey's bedroom on a blustery rainy day. The day is a day in February, the worst of months. The month that swallows the hope of summer. Before the man can fill further promise, he is gone, but with the words, “Watch for me!” Perhaps it had only been a dream.The man called Rictus does appear again, floating down from a cloud in his puffed-up coat. This time though.this time, his offer is true.
So Harvey walks with him to a place Rictus names Holiday House, a walk still within the limits of his small town, but somehow into an area he's never seen before. He says he'll only spend a few hours. Then he'll go home.
Because he hadn't told his parents. And yet when he gets to this beautiful house, somehow his parents had known of his plans all along.
Clive Barker Thief Of Always Pdf Download
“Stay as long as you like Harvey. You deserve a little time off.”My first Clive Barker book. It's no coincidence that I chose the one story he wrote for kids. I've been in that sort of mood. Like The Graveyard Book by Gaiman, I understand this has become a classic - for all ages, not just kids.
Horror fans rarely skip the books that take us back to childhood, where initial fear lies. It's like going back in time. And that's the heart of this tale told by Barker. When we're young, we don't stop to think about that little word so much. No time for that.
Those days of boredom, days of rain. Gosh, how those got in the way. Through Harvey's story I was reminded, and gratefully so, of the invaluable things that are easily forgotten. I'm far more guilty of that now as an adult, than when a child, but what's good about this book is the way it speaks to the young.
An understanding is there. Like Harvey comes to realize at one point, “Time is precious.”.
3.5 stars.Hype is always tricky. In the best cases a book can live up to it, but most often it does not. The Thief of Always was such a case for me. It was good, but it wasn't excellent.Let's start with the writing.
This was my first Barker and I have to say, I adored the writing! I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. This baby reads as smooth as spreading butter on toast.The plot I liked, but I also never got the sense I was reading something super original.
Barker included 3.5 stars.Hype is always tricky. In the best cases a book can live up to it, but most often it does not. The Thief of Always was such a case for me. It was good, but it wasn't excellent.Let's start with the writing.
This was my first Barker and I have to say, I adored the writing! I have absolutely nothing negative to say about it. This baby reads as smooth as spreading butter on toast.The plot I liked, but I also never got the sense I was reading something super original.
Barker included handmade drawings as illustrations and that was a very nice addition. They were dark and creepy, but still in a child-friendly sort of way.Now, onto the characters.
I didn't really care for any of them. It didn't help that, besides our protaganist, most felt pretty flat to me. And the reason I cared little for the protaganist is because he didn't really have a dramatic need (besides not being bored anymore.) in over half a book.
And that first half is pretty much without major conflict as well. So that didn't help.And now my main gripe: I really didn't like the ending. And I can't go into it, because spoilers.
But there were a couple of choices made that I just didn't like and things that needed some explaining for me. It almost went to a direction I would have applauded, but I kinda always knew it wouldn't go that route. It has to be kid friendly and hopeful, I get it. Still, missed opportunity.Overall, I really enjoyed it! I just never LOVED it. I have to thank my bestie @jobis89 for quite literally forcing this book into my hands by getting it for me for Christmas, and THIS EDITION. It’s almost too beautiful.
Clive Barker illustrated it himself, and while I always enjoy a surprise illustration in a book, these were on another level, I swear. They toe the line between truly dark horror and children’s drawings, and admittedly (I’m thinking of Marr here), cross that line occasionally, but who didn’t love reading a book as a kid and I have to thank my bestie @jobis89 for quite literally forcing this book into my hands by getting it for me for Christmas, and THIS EDITION. It’s almost too beautiful. Clive Barker illustrated it himself, and while I always enjoy a surprise illustration in a book, these were on another level, I swear. They toe the line between truly dark horror and children’s drawings, and admittedly (I’m thinking of Marr here), cross that line occasionally, but who didn’t love reading a book as a kid and getting that thrill of fear every now and again?The Thief of Always is the magical tale of young Harvey Sweek, who is fed up with the monotony of his every day life and wishes for something more exciting.
Enter: a literal demon named Rictus who promises to take him to a house where every afternoon is the perfect summer’s day and every night is Christmas - seems legit, thinks Harvey, and skips off hand in hand with a flying demon. We’ve all been there.Questionable judgement in trusting demons aside, Harvey is the perfect protagonist for a story like this, being a kind of everyman for kids - good, brave, always willing to be a friend even in extenuating circumstances.
But he’s also fundamentally still just a kid, and Barker puts that across so well!In Books of Blood I was blown away by Barker’s imagination, and The Thief of Always is no different. His mind must be a crazy place to be, but I’m so thankful he puts it all to paper for us to enjoy! I wish I had read this one when I was Harvey’s age, 11 or 12 or so, but I can always give it to my niece to read when she’s old enough (and then not take responsibility for the nightmares about Marr!).Jo warned me about the tear-jerker of a last page, and she wasn’t wrong!
The last page, and especially the last paragraph really struck a chord with me about making the most of each day and not wishing your life away - @wildbonbons it really reminded me of your initiative and you should also read this one! ‘Your tears are sweet, child.
And so are you. Now you go out into the light and enjoy yourself. There’s sun on the step, and it won’t be there forever, believe me.’The Thief of Always by Clive Barker was such a fun, dark and magical book. At its heart this is children’s book, a fable, but honestly it’s one of those stories that can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults too.The main character Harvey Swick; a ten year old boy who is extremely bored with life, gets more than he wished for when a ‘Your tears are sweet, child. And so are you. Now you go out into the light and enjoy yourself. There’s sun on the step, and it won’t be there forever, believe me.’The Thief of Always by Clive Barker was such a fun, dark and magical book.
At its heart this is children’s book, a fable, but honestly it’s one of those stories that can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults too.The main character Harvey Swick; a ten year old boy who is extremely bored with life, gets more than he wished for when a mysterious man whisks him away to a Holiday House full of fun and adventure! The story really reminded me of a mix between NOS4R2 by Joe Hill, with the whimsical, macabre side, of Neil Gaiman’s children’s books. This was just such an awesome combination for me!Harvey’s character was really well written and felt very realistic. It was so nostalgic to see how boring he found his days at school and how he just longed to be somewhere more exciting! Haven’t we all felt like this? Even though he was a young child, Harvey wasn’t portrayed as naive or stupid in any way, his inquisitive nature soon revealed to him just how eerie and twisted the magical House was.This is where I really enjoyed, Barker’s writing. He didn’t sugar coat the story or shy away from describing in detail the darker parts.
It wasn’t exactly full blown horror, but some of the characters were really gross! There were even really creepy illustrations to go with most of the characters and these were absolutely brilliant!I’m so glad this book got recommended to me, and now I’m eager to try some of Clive Barker’s adult novels. I want to see how much darker he gets! I decided to re-enter the surreal world of Clive Barker.
I seem to be doing things backwards. I watched the Hellraiser film at 10 years old, read some of his more 'adult' books in my teens, & now at the age of 36, I've finally got around to reading a book I clearly should have read many years ago.Yet another great book by Clive Barker. I enjoyed the story itself, but I also loved the sentiment within the story, about not wishing your life away. If we got rid of all the days that contained I decided to re-enter the surreal world of Clive Barker.
I seem to be doing things backwards. I watched the Hellraiser film at 10 years old, read some of his more 'adult' books in my teens, & now at the age of 36, I've finally got around to reading a book I clearly should have read many years ago.Yet another great book by Clive Barker. I enjoyed the story itself, but I also loved the sentiment within the story, about not wishing your life away. If we got rid of all the days that contained things we didn't want to do, work, boredom, sickness and rubbish weather, I wonder how many days each of us would actually have in a year?! Time for each of us to ponder whether we are making the most of the days we have been given! “What did it matter, anyway, he thought, whether this was a real place or a dream? It felt real, and that was all that mattered.”Henry Swick is a regular 10-years-old kid who loves to have fun and hates to be bored.
He hates it so much that when one day a man flies through his bedroom window and tells him about a special house where it's always fun, he just can't say refuse his offer to join him.This is my first Barker and I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy it as much as everyone else did. I had “What did it matter, anyway, he thought, whether this was a real place or a dream?
It felt real, and that was all that mattered.”Henry Swick is a regular 10-years-old kid who loves to have fun and hates to be bored. He hates it so much that when one day a man flies through his bedroom window and tells him about a special house where it's always fun, he just can't say refuse his offer to join him.This is my first Barker and I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy it as much as everyone else did. I had no idea what this book was about, and if I knew, I would have lowered my expectations because unfortunately I do not like children novels. I didn't like them as a kid, I won't change my mind now. And yes, this is not a classic children book: there is a distinct horror element that gave me the creeps a couple of times and I really loved it, because it's so terrifying yet charming.Barker's writing is simply beautiful, almost poetic. I can't deny that I even got emotional while reading a chapter about halfway into the story and I think his incredible writing style had a huge part in it. The novel includes also a lot of handmade drawings that are quite creepy but stunning, and I loved them.I was not impressed by the ending either, I expected something breathtaking but unfortunately I got a bit disappointed.
I still consider The Thief of Always a good book, but not my kind of book. I would recommend this to those who like stories with kids as main characters or dark fairy tales.I will for sure read other books written by Clive Barker, as I already have my eyed on the Books of Blood! This is a book that stays with you, if you let it. Harvey Swick, as normal a kid as you'll find, is trapped in paradise. The holiday House is a place where dreams come true - so long as you're willing to play by it's rules. Try to break free, and swim with the fishes.Clive Barker's prose is brilliant; I can think of no other word that clearly conveys my thoughts on The Thief of Always. From the first line-one of the best ever written, rivaled only by the opening to Gibson'sWow!
This is a book that stays with you, if you let it. Harvey Swick, as normal a kid as you'll find, is trapped in paradise. The holiday House is a place where dreams come true - so long as you're willing to play by it's rules. Try to break free, and swim with the fishes.Clive Barker's prose is brilliant; I can think of no other word that clearly conveys my thoughts on The Thief of Always. From the first line-one of the best ever written, rivaled only by the opening to Gibson's Neuromancer-to the final word there is nothing that can be added or removed. The ideas flow in a manner other writers should envy, especially many of today's YA authors.This is a book that refuses to treat it's audience as dull or stupid.
Barker wrote for the masses, but not to the masses. To his credit, he lifts the reader rather than lower his prose.This is the only book I can say I've read, willingly, more than once.Caveat: Much of Barker's work is not at all suitable for younger readers. 4.5“However this miraculous place worked, it seemed real enough. The sun was hot, the soda was cold, the sky was blue, the grass was green. What more did he need to know?”Harvey Swick is a 10 year old boy who wishes to be saved from another boring February day.
Later on a creature named Rictus grants his wish, and brings him to the Holiday House. A place where magic is endless and wishes come true. While he is there he meets some other kids. They were also taken from the real world to come 4.5“However this miraculous place worked, it seemed real enough. The sun was hot, the soda was cold, the sky was blue, the grass was green.
What more did he need to know?”Harvey Swick is a 10 year old boy who wishes to be saved from another boring February day. Later on a creature named Rictus grants his wish, and brings him to the Holiday House. A place where magic is endless and wishes come true. While he is there he meets some other kids. They were also taken from the real world to come to this one.
The book starts out with the children having fun. Sadly, the longer Harvey spends in the house the more he discovers the darkness behind it.I absolutely loved this book! Clive Barker does an amazing job of creating such interesting characters. Download libros gratis pdf. The Holiday House is described with such detail that I felt like I could picture it in my head.
This story reminds me a little of the Brothers Grimm or of The Wayward Children series. It's dark, creepy, but enchanting to read.The Thief of Always has taught me to not wish my days away and to live in the present. I also need to appreciate what I have because things can be there one minute and gone the next.I would highly recommend this book to people of all ages.
Clive Barker is an amazing storyteller who make you feel so many different emotions. Clive Barker brings readers this delightful fairy tale, surrounding the main character of young Harvey, a bright adventurous young boy with a stubborn streak. I advise not being put off by its seemingly childlike innocence; this one features monstrous beings, cruel twists of fate, and genuinely frightening outcomes. All ages can enjoy Thief of Always, for it stirs up the imagination and brings back that child in all of us.Starting off with the basics (Harvey is bored), we are quickly whirled Clive Barker brings readers this delightful fairy tale, surrounding the main character of young Harvey, a bright adventurous young boy with a stubborn streak. I advise not being put off by its seemingly childlike innocence; this one features monstrous beings, cruel twists of fate, and genuinely frightening outcomes. All ages can enjoy Thief of Always, for it stirs up the imagination and brings back that child in all of us.Starting off with the basics (Harvey is bored), we are quickly whirled into the colorful world that Barker masters so well. The whole novel is quick in pace and never dull for a moment.
I got caught up in the first chapter and before I knew it, the end reared its head and this fun ride was already over. The setting is of a fascinating, mystical, storybook house. With some minor plot similarities to The Haunting where the house is concerned, we learn through Harvey's eyes what is what and a small mystery is solved.
The atmosphere was perfect for an adult fairy tale -light tone but darker meanings.Besides Harvey the other characters add their own style. Little Wendell is a bit more mischievous but enjoyable. The housekeeper Mrs. Griffin plays a big part and at times I wasn't sure what to make of her.
All villains would frighten anyone no matter how old if they were encountered - they are obviously Barker's creations.One minor complaint was that not many believed Harvey's story when he tried to tell it. When this happens it is a personal pet peeve of mine. I cannot stand everyone else not believing a character. But the end justified the means and I wasn't left a sulking fan. It wrapped up as well as any adult fairy tale should.
Quick and filled with action but enough fluff to lengthen, the style is written in a simple and straight-forward manner.Great stuff to have fun with, and a wonderful trip down memory lane - a reminder that things don't have to be complex and sophisticated in order to be disturbing and creepy. A friend recommended this to me, and the very next day ANOTHER friend recommended Barker's, so it seemed like too big of a coincidence to put off reading him any longer. This was a very quick read, and you know a book is good when you lose all sense of time. I read straight through without stopping.
The opening sentence, which is, perhaps, the most crucial part of any book, is definitely one of the best I've ever read, and I enjoyed how Barker kept referencing it throughout. I've said it A friend recommended this to me, and the very next day ANOTHER friend recommended Barker's, so it seemed like too big of a coincidence to put off reading him any longer. This was a very quick read, and you know a book is good when you lose all sense of time.
I read straight through without stopping. The opening sentence, which is, perhaps, the most crucial part of any book, is definitely one of the best I've ever read, and I enjoyed how Barker kept referencing it throughout. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: children books are extremely underrated. This story has some of the most imaginative characters (especially villains) I've ever seen. Harvey, Lulu, Wendell, and Mrs.
Griffin are all enjoyable in their own unique way. I loved the part where Wendell and Harvey escape only to find that years have gone by. I also enjoyed the book because it helped reaffirm my plagiarist claims against Lev Grossman's (i. Walking into a wall where a magical building exists on the other side, turnaround mist, and Rictus is very reminiscent of Martin Chatwin when he attacks Brakebills ).
And it makes me question the origins of Neil Gaiman's (a cat that helps the protagonist, ghostly children set free from demonic being who captured them with illusions, etc). I've removed one star for the extremely saccharine ending, and a lot of the key turning points were very predictable (i.e. The moment Mrs. Griffin mentions the fish being poisonous, I knew they were the lost children ). There were also some really weird 'are you serious?' Moments like when his parents just SUDDENLY believe Harvey and this random stranger's explanation that The Holiday House existed. Lastly, the illustrations are pretty phenomenal, and, at times, quite terrifying and grotesque.
Now to get a copy of! Although this was my second time reading this book, I didn't remember anything from the first time through given I read it 25 years ago when it was first published.I'm used to the all out horror and gore of the other Clive Barker books I've read, and this one is definitely NOT that. Although his book definitely has its creepy moments, it is firmly in the YA genre. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half only because I thought the resolution felt a little too 'easy'. Although this was my second time reading this book, I didn't remember anything from the first time through given I read it 25 years ago when it was first published.I'm used to the all out horror and gore of the other Clive Barker books I've read, and this one is definitely NOT that.
Although his book definitely has its creepy moments, it is firmly in the YA genre. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second half only because I thought the resolution felt a little too 'easy'. However, for a short book, there was still a lot going on and I did feel satisfied with the ending.Given this is meant to be a fable, I appreciated the overall message of the book. Don't waste any of those precious minutes of your life because you'll soon want them all back.