****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
Several of these stories had me cracking up (Body Politic especially so), but if you've read vol 1-3 tou should expect some comedy. Some were gruesome. Some were so magnificent that I didn't want them to end. They were all classic Barker when he was at hus highest form.While vol 1-3 of "The Books of Blood" can be found at most used bookstores, vol 4-6 has been difficult to source here in the U.S for years. As such most Americans have only read the few stories from this volume that were included with "Cabal".This release is from the U.K publisher Sphere, the quality is about on par with what you can expect from Ace. Poor paper quality, matte finished cover that peels easily and slightly blurry text.Try to ignore the price and pretend it's a cheap paperback from the mid 80s and you'll be okay.I loved this volumes way more than the first Books of Blood. I greatly enjoyed Clive Braker’s writing in this and wasn’t disappointed with any of the short stories he wrote.There is some good stuff in this book, and even a few moments of greatness. But also some mediocre stuff too. I didn't dislike any of it, but I feel over all it's inferior in many ways to the first 3 volumes. The Forbidden is a major standout here however, the short than inspired the CandyMan films. This, in my opinion, is one of Barker's absolute best short horror stories. The atmosphere was excellent, with a creeping sense of dread throughout and just extremely well written. A very intelligent horror story.Reading through In the Flesh made me seriously feel like I was reading a Stephen King story. That's not an insult in any way, it's a good story, and a good bit different than the typical gory, surreal horror Barker is more known for in those early years.The Inhuman Condition was also pretty solid. And I feel it could have made for an excellent horror film no less.The Body Politic. The idea behind this story is unsettling, but it's so absolutely outlandish both in concept and in execution that it was honestly pretty difficult to take it too seriously. I ended up coming away from it feeling like I'd read a horror-comedy, even parody. It was entertaining however.Revelations. This one was pretty good, even if a bit bland. A more traditional ghost story, kept me interested, but wasn't anything special.Some of the rest of the stories are pretty decent, others even better. But overall I can't help but feel slightly let down by the overall package. Especially coming off the bat from the exquisitely excellent Vols. 1-3. The Forbidden aside, I just don't think this set of tales stacks up the majority of those before them. A good read all the same though. I do recommend it.I got the correct book, volumes 4-6. Love these stories.Good short horror stories from one of the horror masters, from the guy that gave us Hellraiser. Note; if you are purchasing this for the short story that inspired Canyman this volume does NOT contain that storyBook is excellent; had books 1-3 individually; heard 4-6 didn't exist; happy to find this; print size & clarity slightly inconsistent (minor); otherwise book in ex.cond.; would buy again! Clive Barker's horror stories are the best!I collect books and films in the horror genre. I’m an aspiring horror novelist, and so I’d like to have most of the important works. So I had no hesitation in buying this. Additionally, since I already had the first volume, I wanted the second volume to go with the first volume. I naturally expected them to be the same size and production quality. Well, this second volume, which contains Books 4 through 6, is much smaller, and not nearly as well-made as the first volume. The print seems out of focus to me as well. I can’t believe the price that I paid for this, I’m thinking of returning it just for the principal for the matter. Clive Barker should not allow his name to be dragged through the mud by producing something this low quality at this price. I haven’t read any of the stories yet, I presume they’re pretty good, but I know when I’m getting ripped off on production values. This second book is a rip off.I was made aware by previous customers that the volumes presented on the cover and the content in the book are inverted. I received my copy on 01/05/21 and immediately opened it to make sure I received what I ordered. The cover and the content from Page One to Page Last matched. I collaborated this with Wikipedia and Amazon description. The actual product arrived in mint condition. I can not comment on the short stories yet, but, so far in Volume One, I am getting piqued.I ordered Clive Barker books of blood volumes 4-6 the book came and i was very happy with how it looked however when i opened the first page i was looking at volumes 1-3 i have already purchased volumes 1-3 so have no need for it.I recently bought this on Amazon Kindle for some late night reading. I'm roughly halfway through and I have loved every story so far! I love the characterization, the plots, the twists. Each story is unique and full of detail. If you like Horror in all its different shapes then I would highly recommend this and Book 1.I ordered Clive Barker Books of Blood Volumes 4-6 for my son for Christmas. He has now just gone to start reading it and it is actually Volumes 1-3, contained within a cover that states it should be Volumes 4-6. I've now missed the return date. Is there anything I can do, as the product is not as described?I bought this book as I already have volumes 1 to 3. I was looking forward to reading it so was really disappointed when I opened the book to find that the cover doesn't match the inside. The cover says volumes 4 to 6 but the inside was volumes 1 to 3 safe to say it got returned.Book says volumes 4-6 on the front but its actually volumes 1-3 on the inside, now I'm going to have to mess around sorting out a return/refund.
