review of Clive Barker's The Great and Secret Show

Clive Barker, like Stephen King and many other authors, often labors under the condition of the genre they have thus far achieved the most success in, in this case being horror fiction. Certainly not every book an author produces is going to follow the same formula all of the time. The ideas of genres in art, independent of type, is a tricky one at best, with one person's idea of "slow music", for example, being completely different from someone else's.

The Great and Secret Show, originally published in 1999 as "the first in a series", can be read as a stand-alone novel. The tone of the book overall is more so one of fantasy then horror, with elements of a classic myth, at times, coming into play.

The novel itself is long and is divided into different sections. It has recently been reissued with a new cover and more proper place among the "first in a series" established (it is #1 of a projected 3). The "sequel" to the book, which can also be read as a stand-alone story, is entitled Everville.

The premise of the story is deceptively simple. A man named Randall Jaffe, shrugging off unusual experiences, decides to work for the (, in real-life, as well) dead letter office in Omaha Nebraska, spending his days sorting through undeliverable mail. This concept alone would make a good novel, but more happens from there.

A secret world, and power, is discovered, called "The Art". Randall becomes corrupted by it and insists he is the one to rightfully possess it. He bullies a scientist into helping him find the physical equivalent, but his helper's heart is in the right place and he rebels against him, also gaining the same strange, horrific powers he does.

The struggle continues, years later, as the two new demi-humans foster children, who quickly grow to be at odds with one another. Still more forces are at work, though.. what if neither one is worthy enough to bear the responsibility absolute powers can give?

The struggle of the spirit versus the flesh, and the idea of transformations informing much of our reality are common, reoccuring themes in much of Mr. Barker's works. Much of his work, this novel included, is strikingly original, and to find other works outside of his own to compare it to can prove to be difficult. Perhaps South American author Gabriel Garcia Marquez could be the closest equivalent.

What ultimately makes this story is not the fancy names, strange worlds or complex concepts that color many other flights of fantasy, it is the simple names (Richard, Fletcher etc.) and settings (California, primarily) which get under the reader's skin.

As is true with all of his books, Mr. Barker's works are of a full range of human nature, and this includes parts some may think of as "offensive". Differing philosophies, often merely hinted at, should not be something to shy away from, however, and readers who stay with the story will be greatly rewarded. Elements of violence and sexual situations, as in real life, as well, do occur, often in surprising ways. Unalike some other novels (Bret Easton Ellis, though a good writer, comes to mind) they are only sporatic.

All in all a true flight of fantasy. The literary world is indeed blessed to have someone who can so totally imagine worlds completely different from our own. As is true with almost all of Mr. Barker's, works, recommended.