This book was just given to me as a gift and it has been life-changing. I have long been a fantasy fan, but this is my introduction into Clive Barker. What a gift! I love your review here - it captures everything seamlessly. Thanks!
I just finished this book for the first time in my life and instantly came to this video to finally listen to it fully. An amazing book truly. A timeless masterpiece that I will go back to in the future again and again.
Stunned.Just that.I have seen the hellraiser movies but never read a Clive Barker book.After watching this just on a lark i think i will.Beginning with weaveworld.Thank you.
Clive Barker once described Imajica as his greatest achievement. He said it was his gift to himself on his 40th birthday. I've read imajica but for me, Weaveworld is his greatest achievement. I've read it many times. There's something about it that keeps drawing me back. It is my favourite single-volume fantasy of any author, bar none.
I first read this book when I was home sick from school at around 15 y/o. My dad threw it at me saying it was right up my street and he was not wrong, as I have never read a book so enthusiastically as I did with this one, possibly because It was so irreverent compared to other fantasy stuff I'd looked at. It seemed to look at the classic tropes I knew so well and reconfigure them completely, to such a point that I didn't realize how clever it was until after 2 or 3 more reads. I have since come back to it over and over, never tiring of it and only loving it more. This review popped up in my feed and it reaffirmed everything I already knew and loved about this book, so thank you for putting it all into words for me.
I love your reviews! You go into so much detail and are obviously very passionate. I am currently reading The Great and Secret Show and so far I am hooked. I have been meaning to get myself a copy of Weaveworld and your review has certainly renewed my interest. Thanks so much!
I also read this book at the age of around 11/12 in the 90's. I read it immediately after Cabal which was my first Barker book. I lived books as a kid and this book was and still is my favourite book of all time and like you say it's not perfection critically but like art it's my favourite in how it felt and related to me. I hadn't read it for years and wanted to see if it related to me again as an adult as I thought maybe there were parts I didn't fully understand and I must say, I'm so glad I read it in my youth because I lived that book. I believed whole heartedly in it, although fictitious, it was the most tangible fantasy experience I have had to date. It's my soul book. Loved your review. I can relate to your affection for it. I just remembered to add, I was in a garage band when I was 14 and I gave us the name Selling Heaven.
I just finished this book last night on audio and it was absolutely fantastic. It's actually kind of addictive, I was just so captivated by the imagination and passion in Barker's words. I can't wait to read through his other books.
When you read excerpts from Clive, I can tell you have a lot of fun. He does have a great voice for narration. It’s fun to listen to as much as it is to read
I love Barker (The Great & Secret Show is my favorite), but this is one I'd missed for some reason or another. That changes now. About to dip into it for the first time.
Literally just finished "Weaveworld" about a half hour ago. The best thing about it, to me anyways, is how much it made me feel. The characters made me feel as well, and now that it's over I feel almost empty. But there is one quote that comes up several times in the book that really speaks to me, and that's, "That what could be imagined need never be lost." I can't put into words how that quote speaks to me, but it just does. Definitely enjoyed this book, and I might re-read it again at some point. This video was excellent, very good at breaking it down and interpreting the book and some of the hidden meaning and philosophies it has.
This is one of the BEST videos that I have ever come across. I, like you, hold Barker in the highest esteem and it was his influence early on that moulded me into the kind of reader I am today. Weaveworld will always have a special place in my heart although, for me personally it is Imajica that resonates most. You did an amazing job on this video man. You have definitely earned my subscription. Oh, and by the way, I would love to check out some of your own work if you've yet been published. Do you have anything available on Amazon or the like?
Hey there, thank you so much for the kind comment; honestly, I don't find it difficult to wax lyrical on Weaveworld or most of Barker's work; I'm quite evangelistic about it :) I've definitely introduced several of my friends and acquaintances to the forbidden pleasures of his work. Imajica will be coming up shortly; re-reading it right now. I do have a few things published: my short story collection, Strange Playgrounds, is available on amazon. I'd love to know what you make of it. Thanks agan for the kind comment; I hope you enjoy the rest of my output.
ExaggeratedElegy No problem at all man. Awesome! I will certainly be checking out your short story collection and eagerly awaiting your thoughts on Imajica (which I too happen to be rereading presently). It's always fantastic to come across someone of like mind. I'm glad to have discovered the hidden gem that is your channel :)
Not quite finished with this book but I've really enjoyed it. Like you say the power it has is that it sort of inverts tropes to make its statement, not just for the sake of it. The traditional story is the making of order out of chaos , safety from danger. This sort of draws attention to opposite; what happens when order, parameters, and definition is taken to perverse levels or places. This is no better demonstrated than in the power of female characters immacolada and Suzanne; representations of the eternal feminine and inherit chaos of that arch type and demonstrating potential for good things and terrible things that can come from it, versus possessive male drivers for ownership (Shadwell) and order (Hobart).
Mr Exaggerated of the Elegy! :) Haven't looked you up for a while on the tubes of you (though I believe you may have taken a break from it for a while) but glad to see you are still going strong and covering those dark and esoteric areas that are worthy of you. Always loved Hellraiser as a movie, and had read the hellbound heart years back, but it was seeing your old review of it years later that re-kindled my Barker interest and sent me on a kick which involved buying all the books of blood (though never have picked up his longer fiction...though I believe after this review weaveworld could be next on the list!) I would love, if such things were possible, to hear you read through all of Weaveworld as an audiobook. What you did read sounded great; and you really need someone who loves the work to read it through and bring it to life as you do. Also, I would at some point like to hear your thoughts (if you have time) on Hellraiser 2: Hellbound, which I have always thought as intriguing as the former, especially the character of Dr Channard. Anyhoop, keep up the good work sir and much appreciated.
I don't know which I'm more covetous of, that amazing, beautiful copy of Weaveworld, or that extremely comfy looking leather chair
My fave Barker book and one of my fave books of all time. I've read it oh so many times. Weaveworld is my Alice In Wonderland.
This book was just given to me as a gift and it has been life-changing. I have long been a fantasy fan, but this is my introduction into Clive Barker. What a gift! I love your review here - it captures everything seamlessly. Thanks!
I just finished this book for the first time in my life and instantly came to this video to finally listen to it fully.
An amazing book truly. A timeless masterpiece that I will go back to in the future again and again.
Still watch this review from time to time
Stunned.Just that.I have seen the hellraiser movies but never read a Clive Barker book.After watching this just on a lark i think i will.Beginning with weaveworld.Thank you.
Clive Barker once described Imajica as his greatest achievement. He said it was his gift to himself on his 40th birthday. I've read imajica but for me, Weaveworld is his greatest achievement. I've read it many times. There's something about it that keeps drawing me back. It is my favourite single-volume fantasy of any author, bar none.
I first read this book when I was home sick from school at around 15 y/o. My dad threw it at me saying it was right up my street and he was not wrong, as I have never read a book so enthusiastically as I did with this one, possibly because It was so irreverent compared to other fantasy stuff I'd looked at. It seemed to look at the classic tropes I knew so well and reconfigure them completely, to such a point that I didn't realize how clever it was until after 2 or 3 more reads. I have since come back to it over and over, never tiring of it and only loving it more. This review popped up in my feed and it reaffirmed everything I already knew and loved about this book, so thank you for putting it all into words for me.
Wow...this review has me so curious about this book. Definitely going to read!
One of the greatest fantasy books ever written...... As a fellow scouser it was weird reading of places I know by such a fantastic author
I just bought three of your books. I’m looking forward to read them.
I'm currently reading this book now. I loved his The Abarat series too.
I love your reviews! You go into so much detail and are obviously very passionate. I am currently reading The Great and Secret Show and so far I am hooked. I have been meaning to get myself a copy of Weaveworld and your review has certainly renewed my interest. Thanks so much!
I also read this book at the age of around 11/12 in the 90's. I read it immediately after Cabal which was my first Barker book. I lived books as a kid and this book was and still is my favourite book of all time and like you say it's not perfection critically but like art it's my favourite in how it felt and related to me. I hadn't read it for years and wanted to see if it related to me again as an adult as I thought maybe there were parts I didn't fully understand and I must say, I'm so glad I read it in my youth because I lived that book. I believed whole heartedly in it, although fictitious, it was the most tangible fantasy experience I have had to date. It's my soul book. Loved your review. I can relate to your affection for it. I just remembered to add, I was in a garage band when I was 14 and I gave us the name Selling Heaven.
I just finished this book last night on audio and it was absolutely fantastic. It's actually kind of addictive, I was just so captivated by the imagination and passion in Barker's words. I can't wait to read through his other books.
Oh I meant to add, thank you for sharing your love for it, really cool video!
Oh I meant to add, thank you for sharing your love for it, really cool video!
The best analysis of Weaveworld I've ever encountered. Dude, you get it.
When you read excerpts from Clive, I can tell you have a lot of fun. He does have a great voice for narration. It’s fun to listen to as much as it is to read
I think every time I fitted for a suit or sports jacket I was looking for a lining as Shadwell's was described in the story.
Thank you so much for this, George, you said everything about Weaveworld I ever wanted to say.
I love Barker (The Great & Secret Show is my favorite), but this is one I'd missed for some reason or another. That changes now. About to dip into it for the first time.
Clive Barker is a genius.
Literally just finished "Weaveworld" about a half hour ago. The best thing about it, to me anyways, is how much it made me feel. The characters made me feel as well, and now that it's over I feel almost empty. But there is one quote that comes up several times in the book that really speaks to me, and that's, "That what could be imagined need never be lost." I can't put into words how that quote speaks to me, but it just does. Definitely enjoyed this book, and I might re-read it again at some point. This video was excellent, very good at breaking it down and interpreting the book and some of the hidden meaning and philosophies it has.
This is one of the BEST videos that I have ever come across. I, like you, hold Barker in the highest esteem and it was his influence early on that moulded me into the kind of reader I am today. Weaveworld will always have a special place in my heart although, for me personally it is Imajica that resonates most. You did an amazing job on this video man. You have definitely earned my subscription. Oh, and by the way, I would love to check out some of your own work if you've yet been published. Do you have anything available on Amazon or the like?
Hey there, thank you so much for the kind comment; honestly, I don't find it difficult to wax lyrical on Weaveworld or most of Barker's work; I'm quite evangelistic about it :) I've definitely introduced several of my friends and acquaintances to the forbidden pleasures of his work. Imajica will be coming up shortly; re-reading it right now.
I do have a few things published: my short story collection, Strange Playgrounds, is available on amazon. I'd love to know what you make of it.
Thanks agan for the kind comment; I hope you enjoy the rest of my output.
ExaggeratedElegy No problem at all man. Awesome! I will certainly be checking out your short story collection and eagerly awaiting your thoughts on Imajica (which I too happen to be rereading presently). It's always fantastic to come across someone of like mind. I'm glad to have discovered the hidden gem that is your channel :)
Not quite finished with this book but I've really enjoyed it. Like you say the power it has is that it sort of inverts tropes to make its statement, not just for the sake of it. The traditional story is the making of order out of chaos , safety from danger. This sort of draws attention to opposite; what happens when order, parameters, and definition is taken to perverse levels or places.
This is no better demonstrated than in the power of female characters immacolada and Suzanne; representations of the eternal feminine and inherit chaos of that arch type and demonstrating potential for good things and terrible things that can come from it, versus possessive male drivers for ownership (Shadwell) and order (Hobart).
Mr Exaggerated of the Elegy! :) Haven't looked you up for a while on the tubes of you (though I believe you may have taken a break from it for a while) but glad to see you are still going strong and covering those dark and esoteric areas that are worthy of you. Always loved Hellraiser as a movie, and had read the hellbound heart years back, but it was seeing your old review of it years later that re-kindled my Barker interest and sent me on a kick which involved buying all the books of blood (though never have picked up his longer fiction...though I believe after this review weaveworld could be next on the list!) I would love, if such things were possible, to hear you read through all of Weaveworld as an audiobook. What you did read sounded great; and you really need someone who loves the work to read it through and bring it to life as you do. Also, I would at some point like to hear your thoughts (if you have time) on Hellraiser 2: Hellbound, which I have always thought as intriguing as the former, especially the character of Dr Channard. Anyhoop, keep up the good work sir and much appreciated.
Fucking brilliant review. 👍
It's been a while! Hope you are doing good. I think it must have been a few years since I saw a video from you.
What would you say the novel's weak points are?
Do you have to swear the c word like your review s but