Sunday Horror: The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker

 

Hello, Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons,

   In September of 1987, my mother and I trekked to the local movie theater to watch a new horror movie (a weekly ritual of ours) that had been getting a lot of attention: Hellraiser. This gory horror masterpiece introduced the world to Pinhead and the pleasures of the Cenobites. Based on Clive Barker's novel, the Hellbound Heart, it went on to become a horror classic. I was fifteen at the time and I decided to read the book, ultimately preferring the movie over the book. Now, over thirty years later, I have returned to Lodovico Street and have re-opened Lemarchand's Configuration. And oh, the sights I have seen...

 
  The Hellbound Heart is written by Clive Barker and is published currently by Harper-Collins publishers. It centers around Frank Cotton, an often lascivious man whose desire for ultimate pleasure leads him to acquire Lemarchand's Configuration. A black and gold lacquered puzzle box, it is said to hold the key to unlocking another dimension. In this dimension, the Engineer and his following, the Cenobites, are said to deliver exquisite pleasure and pain. But when Frank returns to his family home on Lodovico Street, he opens a door to more than he had bargained for. During a blood ritual, Frank summons the Cenobites, four horrifically disfigured agents of the Order of the Gash. And his introduction to pleasure and pain begins.

  Many months later Frank's brother, Rory, and Rory's bride, Julia, are at the family home doing some home improvements, and Rory accidentally slices open his hand. With blood pouring from the wound, he crosses into a spare in the house to Julia. She assesses the situation and gets him medical attention, leaving the blood on the floor. After returning from the hospital with Rory, Julia intends to clean up the blood from the spare room floor. But she discovers no trace of it. What she does find is that Frank has been trapped between worlds and needs blood to reform his body. And that it was he who absorbed the blood from the floor. Julia agrees to bring back her beloved Frank from the grave. Even if she has to kill everyone that gets in her way to do so.

  The Hellbound Heart is a visceral read filled with monstrous gore and heart-pounding moments. I was particularly happy with Barker's lack of exposition in this story. The motivations of the main players are centered on the present day with very few trips to the past. The Hellbound Heart flows rather well without extensive background on these characters. The character that stood out to me in this novel was Julia. Her motivation to become a killer to bring back Frank was founded on her desperation. And her sarcastic attitude towards life was at times humorous, which helped to break up some of the gore of her deeds.

  As for the film vs the novel, I was happy to see my view change these many years later. I found the novel delivered a richer backdrop to the tale than the film. But the film was expertly cast; especially with the actor, Sean Chapman. He embodied the character of Frank Cotton very well, as did Clare Higgins as Julia. The film, directed by Clive Barker, changed a few elements of the story around and changed some names. Both the movie and the book serve the horror genre in a way that some projects had failed prior. We not only see a terrifying tale unfold, but we see a drama of the human condition play out before us. 

  I read this book in part with the narration of actor, Jeffrey Kafer. Kafer's ability to relate the Cenobites' foreboding nature is done with vocal effects that are downright creepy. He manages to shift very well through the personalities of the main players and sub-players alike. I enjoyed his narration. 

  I gave the Hellbound Heart four out of five stars. It is a short and exciting read that will have you cringing in fear for a few hours. 

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