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Written by Published by Hardcover Released in 256 Pages |
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MISTER
B. GONE Review
With his literary work as of late highlighted by the ABARAT series, Clive Barker made a long awaited return to horror with his latest novella MISTER B. GONE. Released on October 30th, the book is a unique look at a demon trapped inside a book as he tells his story to you. It is yet another masterpiece from Barker in this twisted and often hilarious book. With its opening phrase of “Burn This Book,” MISTER B. GONE grabs you and doesn’t let go until the final page. We are to believe that MISTER B. GONE was originally published in 1438, and the hardcover edition by Barker has a look of books printed long ago. Its pages a faded yellow and its print an Old Style bold type which only adds to the mystique of the book. The demon that inhabits MISTER B. GONE is Jakabok, a 14th century era demon trapped in the book upon the invention of the printing press, and his only way out is for you to read his story. In the first pages, he reveals what he is, a demon, and spends the rest of the book telling his life story, as if he lived amongst us. It is both scary and hilarious in that Jakabok seems at points like your typical human trying to fit in with life, but then you are reminded that he is an evil being. Many times in the book he tries to convince you, the reader, to get rid of the book but he knows that he has your complete attention, so he goes on. His story of his mother in the beginning bring forth some Oedipal moments, all the more hilarious by seeing it through the eyes of demons. Barker has such a vivid imagination that sometimes you do think you are reading of humans, and not something so evil. The book is a swift read at 256 pages and Barker once again shows why he is a master storyteller. Jakabok it seems was the son of an abusive demon father, Pappy Gatmuss, and is horribly disfigured by Pappy throwing Jakabok into a fire thinking him dead. This leads to a struggle between father and son, to which Jakabok winds up in the home of Johan Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press. Actions against Gutenberg lead Jakabok to being imprisoned in his current form which leads to tell the tale brought for you. The fourth wall barrier isn’t the most unique approach to storytelling, but what Barker does here is so entertaining, that it feels original. His simple yet eloquent detail in setting the situation makes you to imagine Barker’s vision flawlessly. You read Jakobak’s words as that of someone wanting to be free, even toying with you to get rid of the book, but you realize that he is a hideous demon toying with your emotions. For a story written while Barker took a break from his highly anticipated SCARLET GOSPELS, this is a fantastic book that shows that Barker is still the top horror writer in the world today (I do prefer him over Stephen King, but it’s very close). Some have complained that it’s not a perfect book in terms of the errors throughout, but consider the time the book is intended to be made and printed. It would call for errors and this is a rather brilliant approach to the book. In all, I would heavily recommend MISTER B. GONE as a terrific book for Clive Barker fans. Those who aren’t may like it but will get confused with the allegories within, however it is definitely worth a read. It is a most welcome return to horror’s most entertaining figure. MISTER B. GONE: 10 Out Of 10 Maggots
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