About this item
Highlights
- Unlike many horror fiction and fantasy writers, Clive Barker is true to the literary heritage of the genre.
- About the Author: Award winner Gary Hoppenstand is a professor in the department of English at Michigan State University.
- 231 Pages
- Literary Criticism, General
Description
About the Book
Unlike other horror fiction and fantasy writers, Clive Barker is true to the literary heritage of the genre. Though aware of the importance of entertainment in his writing, he embraces the traditional formulas of horror fiction and builds upon them, all the while alluding to the works of Dante, Poe, Mary Shelley, and others.Book Synopsis
Unlike many horror fiction and fantasy writers, Clive Barker is true to the literary heritage of the genre. Though aware of the importance of entertainment in his writing, he embraces the traditional formulas of horror fiction and builds upon them, all the while alluding to the works of Dante, Poe, Mary Shelley, and others.
The complexity of Barker's writing is best evidenced in the six volume Books of Blood. Many of these short stories are entertaining "hair raisers," yet they do not revel in gratuitous violence, instead relying on style and a masterful sense of language to entertain. This detailed study analyzes the significant themes in Barker's writing, placing him in the British Gothic tradition of Marlowe, Saki and others.
Review Quotes
"Gives serious literary and structural attention to each of the stories...recommended"-Choice; "well-written and intelligent...recommended"-Interzone; "a detailed analysis"-Reference & Research Book News.
About the Author
Award winner Gary Hoppenstand is a professor in the department of English at Michigan State University. He has published numerous books and more than sixty scholarly articles on topics ranging from popular culture studies to literary studies to media studies. He lives in Holt, Michigan.