In a tale that manages to be both cute and horrifying, bestselling novelist and screenwriter Barker ( Imajica ) puts the dark side back into childhood fantasy, recalling the violent undercurrents of the Grimm Brothers' tales and other classics. When archetypal 10-year-old Harvey Swick desperately wishes to be delivered from a boring February afternoon, he is miraculously rescued by Rictus, a smiling (if somewhat sinister) creature. Rictus takes Harvey to the Holiday House, where every morning is spring, every afternoon is summer and every evening offers Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas in quick succession. Barker masterfully embroiders this fantasy world with a mounting number of grim, even gruesome details. Harvey must heroically battle what is gradually revealed to be the malevolent force behind the Holiday House in order to save not only himself but all its previous young guests. Barker's own illustrations convey the story's deceptively sweet appeal. A welcome modern-day return to a classic form, this fable lives up to the publisher's billing as a tale for all ages. 100,000 first printing; $140,000 ad promo; Literary Guild, Doubleday and Sci-Fi Book Club alternates; author tour. From YA-- What teens could resist an opening line like "The great gray beast February had eaten Harvey Swick alive"? Harvey succumbs to the lure of instant pleasure, and lives to battle his way back to the real world twice , in order to regain all that he has lost. Lots of white space and full-page black-and-white illustrations invite readers to harken back to their younger days and the pleasures of folk and fairy tale collections. A candidate for reading aloud, this new twist on the fable genre may lead to independent writings or a new appreciation of the form. Layered with both supernatural elements and a large dose of horror, this one will entice fantasy fans to broaden their reading interests. - Barbara Hawkins, Oakton High School, Fairfax, VA Inc.
Clive Barker is a literary genius! The Thief of Always was the first novel by Clive Barker I ever read, having before known of him only as the man behind such movie greats as Hellraiser (which was a Barker book first). Anyway, it totally blew me away, and Barker is now one of my top authors, and the book is now one of my favorites (which is saying a lot because I'm quite an avid reader). The story centers around a ten-year-old boy named Harvey Swick, who becomes bored with his life and begins to wish the days away. In answer to his prayers, he is taken to a mysterious place called the Holiday House, supposedly built for children who want to have fun. Questions come up in Harvey's mind about what is really going on behind the House's happy-go-lucky exterior, and he is pulled into a horrific adventure beyond his wildest dreams (or nightmares). I won't give anything more about the story away, you'll just have to read it for yourselves. But there are many pros in this novel, and not one con as far as I see it. The plot is unique and interesting, so much so that you won't want to put it down. It is certainly not slow-paced, and although it is almost 300 pages long it is almost over as soon as it begins, which is really the only bad thing about it. But as soon as you finish you can't help but want to read it again. The characters are in depth and believeable, the bad guys are majorly cool, unique, and interesting. And they aren't the kind of villians that are super-strong and seemingly impossible to beat, even the worst of them has believeable weaknesses and vulnerabilities. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, and I can assure you that it won't be a disappointment. A great representative of Barker Ten-year-old Harvey lives the most boring life on Earth; until someone comes and offers him a special room at the Holiday House. Harvey meets several friends there, and seems to enjoy himself, but he soon discovers he can't escape. The only one at the House who knows how to get out advises Harvey, but when he finally exits the terrible dimension, he realizes 30 years has passed in the outside world, when only 30 days passed in the Holiday House. Harvey has to find a way to finally get rid of the House forever. This is one of my favorites. It is Clive Barker's only book for children, and he did an exceptionally good job. It takes a wild imagination to write a work of art like this, and Barker definitely has at least that. This book held me transfixed the whole time, and not for one instant did I have the urge to put it down. I'm very surprised that it's not as popular as I would have thought, but I highly recommend it to anyone who would like to read an excellent book and maybe get a bit of a scare. I hope you enjoy it! Clive Barker for a younger crowd? Yes, its true! I have always been a fan of horror, and this was the book I actually read to my son that finally started him on his own road of reading for pleasure. A young boy is unhappy with his life; he doesn't like school and doesn't like his parents, and wishes for a place where he can play all day long and have no responsibilities. He finds that place when creepy Rictus leads him through the mists to a place he has always dreamed of. Kindly old Mrs. Griffin runs a quaint little house, cooking marvelous meals for the boys and girls with her cats. Harvey soon finds that this place is magical, every morning is Spring, every afternoon Summer, every evening is Autumn, and every night Winter. The children play in the warmth of summer, have Halloween every evening, and Christmas every night. He makes friends with Wendell and Lulu, and meets some freakish inhabitants. But when he finally finds the lake with the strange fish, and witnesses Lulu changing, that he realizes this wonderful place is a trap and he cannot leave. He seeks a way out, and with the help of Mrs. Griffin's cats he makes it through the misty barrier, only to find that for every day that passes in the House, a year passed in the outside world. Harvey must set things to right again, and that means returning across the misty barrier and confronting the dreaded Mr. Hood. A very enjoyable read, and surprisingly good to read to older children, especially those who may be unhappy with school. Sometimes, you get what you wish for, only to find out its not what you really wanted.... Fun for Young and Old! Prior to this novel, I had only read Mr. Barker's short stories in the combined volume of his Books of Blood. Many of those stories were pure genius, with riveting plot twists and original premises, but I must admit that I wasn't sure how that would translate into a novel suitable for all ages... It turns out that I had nothing to worry about. The Thief of Always is a classic fable with enough originality to make it fresh. I was hooked as soon as I read the first paragraph. Mr. Barker shows an insight into the mind of a child that I don't think I expected from a man who made his mark with tales of gruesome horror. Then again, I probably should have known better given the amazing insight into the human psyche that was apparent in many of his short stories. (Take, for instance, his commentary on mob mentality in "In the Hills, the Cities.") Like many children in such tales, Harvey's downfall is his boredom and his desire for something different, something fun. He finds himself drawn into a world of wonders that quickly becomes a world of horrors. Barker's supporting cast, the good and the evil, are flawlessly executed with just enough surreal charm to make you fear what might really be going on in Holiday House. The evil in the story is horrifying (without going too far for a younger reader) and Barker's message is clear. Harvey learns that nothing comes without a price and that time is precious. He learns to appreciate each moment he has with his family and friends, no matter how dull those moments may sometimes seem. In the process of making these discoveries, he also proves himself to be a hero as he overcomes his own weakness to defeat Mr. Hood. I highly recommend this book for young and old alike ... I've recommended it to my husband, since he's been looking for a light read and this one is well worth the time. the best book i've ever read when i was 12, i randomly picked up this book in a bookstore, started reading there, and my mom had to actually buy it she says, because just walked aorund reading it, i even left with it in my hands still reading and reading in the carr, out of the car and in to the house where i sat in my room for 2 days until i was done. a day later, i read the book again. this book forever remains in my mind as the best book i've ever read. the imagery is amazing! absolutely perfect. it's a dark tale and it is absolutely the best book i've ever read. i picked it up again a year ago and read it again, and still found it just as good. i can't even put into words how great this book is. every adult and child alike will like this book.
Mr. Hood's Holiday House has stood for a thousand years, welcoming countless children into its embrace. It is a place of miracles where every childhood whim may be satisfied. There is a price to be paid, of course, but young Harvey Swick, bored with his life and beguiled by Mr. Hood's wonders, does not stop to consider the consequences. It is only when the house shows its darker face?when Harvey discovers the pitiful creatures that dwell in its shadows?that he comes to doubt Mr. Hood's philanthropy. But the house and its mysterious architect are not about to release their captive without a battle. Mr. Hood has ambitions for his new guest, for Harvey's soul burns brighter than any he has encountered in ten centuries . . .
Revue de presse ?Charming and pleasantly shuddery.? (Washington Post Book World ) ?Barker...sets up his enchanted kingdom with plenty of wit and atmosphere.? (Chicago Tribune ) ?A modern fable written with literary flare and storytelling-with-a-twist style that will entertain and enchant.? (San Diego Union-Tribune ) ?In a tale that manages to be both cute and horrifying, bestselling novelist and screenwriter Barker puts the dark side back into childhood fantasy.? (Publishers Weekly ) Biographie de l'auteur Clive Barker is the bestselling author of twenty-two books, including the New York Times bestsellers Abarat; Abarat Days of Magic, Nights of War; and The Thief of Always. He is also an acclaimed painter, film producer, and director. For twelve years Mr. Barker has been working on a vast array of paintings to illuminate the text of The Books of Abarat, more than one hundred and twenty-five of which can be found within this volume. Mr. Barker lives in California. He shares his house with seven dogs, three cockatiels, several undomesticated geckoes, an African gray parrot called Smokey, and a yellow-headed Amazon parrot called Malingo.
Titre: The Thief of Always
Auteur: Clive Barker
Editeur: HarperCollins
Reliure : Broche
Langue : Anglais
Publier en : Anglais
Languages d'origine : Anglais
Createur : Clive Barker (Illustrations)
Edition : New Ed
Date de parution : 16/08/1993
Dimensions : 16,76 x 10,41 x 2,03
Nombre de pages : 240 pages
Mot Clef : Fiction Horror Fiction General Belletristik Modern & contemporary fiction (post c 1945) Horror & Ghost Stories FICTION, PAPERBACK (ALL)
Classement : Livres anglais et étrangers > Subjects > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Contemporary
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