Clive Barker's Short Stories: Imagination as Metaphor in the Books of Blood and Other Works

by Gary Hoppenstand

Overview

Unlike many horror fiction and fantasy writers, Clive Barker is true to the literary heritage of the genre. Though aware of the importance of entertainment in his writing, he embraces the traditional formulas of horror fiction and builds upon them, all the while alluding to the works of Dante, Poe, Mary Shelley, and others.

The complexity of Barker's writing is best evidenced in the six volume Books of Blood. Many of these short stories are entertaining "hair raisers," yet they do not revel in gratuitous violence, instead relying on style and a masterful sense of language to entertain. This detailed study analyzes the significant themes in Barker's writing, placing him in the British Gothic tradition of Marlowe, Saki and others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786493555
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	12/06/2013
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	231
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Award winner Gary Hoppenstand is a professor in the department of English at Michigan State University. He has published numerous books and more than sixty scholarly articles on topics ranging from popular culture studies to literary studies to media studies. He lives in Holt, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Foreword: Regarding Imagination as Metaphor by Olive Barker
Introduction: Exiting Banality: A Personal Journey

1. Text and Subtext: Olive Barker and the State of Horror
2. Highways of the Dead: Olive Barker’s Books of Blood, Volume One
3. New Murders, Ancient Evils: Olive Barker’s Books of Blood, Volume Two
4. Confessions of a Dark Fancy: Olive Barker’s Books of Blood, Volume Three
5. Sexual and Political Puzzles: Olive Barker’s Books of Blood, Volume Four
6. Mother’s Fine Children: Olive Barker’s Books of Blood, Volume Five
7. Twilight and Other Illusions: Olive Barker’s Books of Blood, Volume Six
8. Embracing Imagination: Uncollected Short Fiction and Final Comments

Works Cited
Selected Bibliography
Index 217

Editorial Reviews

Gives serious literary and structural attention to each of the stories...recommended”—Choice; “well-written and intelligent...recommended”—Interzone; “a detailed analysis”—Reference & Research Book News.

From the Publisher

"a detailed analysis"

Reference & Research Book News

well-written and intelligent...recommended

Interzone

A detailed analysis of contemporary horror and fantasy writer Clive's short stories, especially in his six-volume series. Argues that rather than lean on gratuitous violence as many of his colleagues do, he embraces and develops traditional formulas, alluding to classic works by Poe, Mary Shelley, and others. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

gives serious literary and structural attention to each of the stories...recommended

Choice