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Originally posted by darkfluidity:
...and somehow not feeling it's a children's book.

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All depends on what you think children's books are. Abarat feels comfortable on the same shelf as Coraline, Ender's Game, and Diana Wynne Jones various books. Y'know, the books for kids who grew up with Where the Wild Things Are instead of Goodnight Moon

When I said it didn't feel like a children's book, I just meant as an adult reading it, I didn't feel like I was reading something along the lines of Curious George (which, granted, is for a much younger age group). Like Coraline, Clive's book feels like it's for all agents, child and adult alike, and doesn't speak down to the children who might be reading it--and thus, is a better read for those of us who are in our 20th or 30th year as children to also enjoy it. {grin}

- John Urbancik
author of Sins of Blood and Stone
www.darkfluidity.com

I like his [Barker's] work, it is very odd yet like Gaiman's and they both have a lot in common. Both English, both have won awards and have wrote more films than they have directed. I like horror and fantasy (sci-fi to!) and find them similar and yet different in thier own ways. And I think the same goes to Neil and Barker.

Although, Barker does have his large share of gore more than Neil does...

Okay, now I think you people think I'm psychotic, don't you?



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My favourite films' ERASERHEAD...HEHEHEHEHEHEH

Back when I first got Books of Blood 1, I was impressed so I went out and rented a bunch of Barker movies, and I didn't get the slightest frisson of horror. And I was a totally scaredy-cat kid then, a horror book or movie could render me insomniac and frightened for weeks.

Mr. Barker has been a favorite of mine for a terribly long time. As posted by others, though some of his works are obviously horror, much falls into the realm of fantasy. He is truly and inspired storyteller.

Imajica has always held a special place in my heart. It seems like nearly everytime I read it I find some part that I had forgotten about previously, or I make a new connection that had eluded me. I don't particularly enjoy travel, nor can I afford to very often, so I began a ritual about a decade ago that at least once a year I would take off a few days in a row and lock myself up with the book and 'go on vacation.' During this vacation I wouldn't watch TV, go anywhere or do anything other than eat (how can you NOT when reading of Furie's chocolate fixes,) sleep, and read Imajica. I often fall asleep and dream bits of the book as I'm going through it. After a few days of that I can happily go back to life and the mundane with a fresh outlook.

Side note - my daughter's middle name is Furie, not just after Gentle, but my reasons are my own. And, of course, she hates it. The sad part is, she's teased by other kids about it because they think it sounds like 'Faerie'. I'm glad these are some of the largest problems she has to deal with.

I just read "Mr B Gone" and was a bit disappointed.
The book was not very entertaining on any level and I was a bit of a letdown.

Has anyone else read it and have an opinion?

Bah!

I've bought Mr B Gone, but it'll be a while before I get the time to even open it.

I love Barker though- Weaveworld is possibly (I mean if I had to choose and my life depended on it) my favourite book ever.

And you should try and track down the book of his artwork- 'Visions of Heaven and Hell', it's nothing short of astounding.

I didn't like the beginning of it but now that I'm a few chapters in it's okay.