Customer Reviews

Abarat

5 star:		(122)
4 star:		(42)
3 star:		(12)
2 star:		(11)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

ABARAT is Clive Barker's best and most consistent book in quite some time. As with Barker's previous children's book, THE THIEF OF ALWAYS (which he wrote long before the Harry Potter craze), there's a simple purity about ABARAT that makes for a truly riveting and satisfying reading experience.

The first in a planned quartet of self-illustrated children's books, Clive Barker's ABARAT tells the story of Candy Quackenbush, a young girl from a conservative Midwestern town who finds herself drawn through an oceanic portal into an alternative world called the Abarat. The Abarat is actually an archipelago of twenty five islands (one for each hour of the day, and another existing outside of time). As she travels from island to island, the precociously independent Candy makes many strange humanoid and not-so-humanoid friends and not a few horrible enemies. Chief among her foes is Christopher Carrion, the Lord of the isle of Midnight, whose powers include the ability to make nightmares real.

This lavishly illustrated volumes is beautiful to look at and is also a pleasure to read. Barker's imagination is in top fertile form. There are no missed steps or idle meanderings as there have been in some of Barker's recent efforts. This is a great book for all ages, and for all kinds of readers. A great celebration of the imagination.

Abarat certainly is an amazing creation.

While reading the book, I was swept away by the brilliance of the dark and powerful artwork that Barker created. The interior art gave the book a texture and feeling that it would have lacked otherwise, much like John R. Neill's artwork added layers to Baum's (and others) Oz books.

Candy Quackenbush is a fairly normal, average girl. I was pleased to see this, because far too often we find authors creating unfashionable, socially inept, or withdrawn characters that they want us to feel sympathy for. There's a good reason that many authors seek to do that - there's *nothing* like rooting for the underdog. Granted, there is a scene of embarrassment in the very beginning of the book, but Candy's reaction to the embarrassment isn't to go off and cry about it - she takes matters into her own hands. So what we are left with is feeling proud of her, and that is what authors should strive for. The characters on the page need to create some form of powerful emotion within us, and it doesn't always need to be pity.

Her own hands - and her feet - lead her to a field with a dilapidated lighthouse where she meets one of the most original and odd characters I've ever come across in children's, young adult, or adult fantasy - the John brothers. And then immediately the story kicks into overdrive, as Mendelson Shape, a creature out of nightmares, assails them, looking to retrieve something that the John brothers have stolen. Through an act of heroism, Candy calls a sea to the plains of Minnesota - the Sea of Izabella, and the sea transports her and the John brothers to the Abarat, an astonishing archipelago of dizzying diversity.

Candy's encounters in the sea, and her immediate encounters on reaching Abarat, make for rapid page turning. There is simply so much to see, so much that is different than any experience we have come upon before.

But then the story slows down, and becomes, for far too long, a tour of Abarat and an introduction to fanciful creatures. There is absolutely no question that Abarat is an invention to be marveled at, and that the fanciful creatures possess highly unique qualities that are entertaining, but it's simply too much, and there isn't much happening other than a game of bait and chase. Candy has caught the eye of Christopher Carrion - who serves as the Dark Lord of this series, though there are other enemies - and he wants the item that the John brothers stole (and gave to Candy for safekeeping) and Candy herself. He has an odd sensation that he has seen her before, and gradually becomes obsessed with her.

I believe that books should have distinguishable plot and character arcs, and that the ending of a book should complete all of the various arcs. Abarat left quite a bit up for grabs. There wasn't much of an ending - only a wrap up in the final chapter to prepare us for the next book, and while it should be obvious from all of the groundwork laid in Abarat that there is a wild and exciting adventure ahead, nothing was resolved.

One might argue that the first two books of The Lord of the Rings had no discernible ending, and no arcs were resolved. However, that book was written as one book. The publisher, for various reasons, decided to cut the book into three - forever cementing into the minds of those who read fantasy the concept of the need of a trilogy to make something complete, for better or worse. Abarat isn't like The Fellowship of the Ring or The Two Towers. It is supposed to be a stand alone book, and instead it seems more like an extended prologue.

That aside, this was one heck of a story. I'm not going to fault Barker too much for not tidying up before he moved on to the second book. The real test will be the second book - if it lives up to this rather overwhelming creation. We'll see.

The artwork, the sense of closeness to the events as they occurred, and the uniqueness of Abarat make this a four star review. Normally books that don't resolve arcs get lower marks from me, but in the end I was so impressed with Barker's creation that I found that deviation forgiveable.

I wasn't sure if I was even going to read this book when I first picked it up. It seemed sort of dark, from the illustrations I was looking at. And I'm not quite a fan of dark tales.
However, this isn't a morbid tale...it's as fantastic and light as any other. Even more so.
PLOT: Candy Quackenbush has lived somewhat uncontentedly in the small Chickentown and longs for a change. When she is asked to do a report on the history of their small town, things change dramatically in Candy's life and viewpoint. Leaving Chickentown with a group of unlikely friends, she begins her journey to another world full of nightmares and dreams.
POSITIVE POINTS: The illustrations are incredible, once you get over the fact that the story isn't quite morbid. It's wonderful for any age, but I feel that teens would love it the most.
NEGATIVE POINTS: Not knowing if Clive will disappoint me in the rest of the series. :)
RECOMMEND? Definitely. Not only do you get a great story, but a wonderful book complete with masterful illustrations.
AGE RANGE: This book is definitely hard for me to determine. I'd say probably 8 and up. It is somewhat dark, but no sexual references (I don't recall any anyway). I cannot remember if there is any swearing. I think the illustrations and subject MAY be nightmarish for younger kids who don't quite understand and only see the illustrations. Parents should read it first and then determine it themselves.
MOOD: Surprisingly, this is very lighthearted, so I recommend reading it when you are in a negative or depressed mood. It will actually lift it.
EFFECT: Read somewhere private or quiet, where you can envelop yourself into the imaginative world. If you listen to music when you read, I'd recommend listening to something light but deep. Such as Rock, Oboe, Viola, Pipes....
As always, if you have a question about the book, feel free to email me.
HAPPY READING!!!!!!!!!

It seems a whole lot of authors who have written in other genres, mainly for adults, have taken to this 'genre,' which Rowling, and CS Lewis before her, had already pioneered: books that seem aimed at children but are really for all ages. Chabon's Summerland is another such title.

But this one does it brilliantly. Barker doesn't rely on borrowed mythology, cobbled together. He has created a world, complete with unique illustrations. This man has an incredible imagination and can render the narrative drive of the story in a strong, consistent voice that sweeps you away.

I've not read anything by Barker before. I may just try to see what else he's done. I just sort of associated him with the Dungeons and Dragons kind of crowd. I look so very forward to the sequels to this book.

You can tell from the other reviews what this book is about, but Abarat is the most creative, wonderful book written since the twenties rolled out The Lord of the Rings-- at true epic! If some adults would consent to read it, they would instantly know that this is not the "kid's book" everyone is calling it. In fact, it could be called a much more sophisticated version of the Phantom Tollbooth, but with much more of an interesting plot and loveable characters. I found myself even being able to get in the minds of the evil characters. Everyone of Barker's characters has a purpose, feelings of love and hate, and are NEW! I've heard many people praise the inventive names of Harry Potter (which,after reading Abarat, suddenly seems boring), but names are a grain of pepper next to the importance of colourful characters... which in fantasy lately, ONLY barker has pulled off.
The ending seemed unsatisfying until I realized Abarat is part of a series. An ending that gives away none of the secrets that are hinted throughout the book is an excellent ending for a series. I can't wait until next year for the second book to appear... and I am so frustrated by the lack of information on these books! The whole world should have the heads ducked behind the delightful purple cover and silky pages of this book ASAP!

If you liked Harry Potter, then you will love Abarat. This is the first book that I've read by Clive Barker. Now I want to read all his books if they are as good as this one. As soon as I opened the book, I was immediately taken with this wonderful story told by Clive Barker. It's about a young girl named Candy, who deep inside wants more than what her life is offering. Her home life is not going well, and she isn't treated very well at school by her classmates or her teacher. Not being able to take it anymore, she runs away from school and just starts walking as far away from Chickentown as she can. She ends up in this field right outside of town where she meets a strange creature with many heads which she befriends. She helps him return to his world Abarat, so he ends up taking her with him. They get separated at the beginning of the story. So Candy is left by herself, but she meets new creatures along the way. She knows that she has a purpose in Abarat, she feels that she has been there before. During the story, The Prince of Midnight finds out she is there and is desperately trying to find Candy. He wants to make her his. His obsession of her grows strong, and this leads to others trying to capture her. This story can get really strange, but I loved it. I like when I'm reading a book and it takes me to that world. I would definately recommend this book to anyone. Also, I heard that Abarat the movie will be coming out in a couple of years. I know I cant wait to see it, and after you have read this book, you wont be able to wait either!

This was an AMAZING book. There is no other word that could possibly be used to describe it. I have (so far) read it 5 times (actualy I'm currently re-reading it, 5th time!) and I haven't gotten bored of it yet. I have fallen in love with the story of Candy Quackenbush and her adventures in the Abarat. The only part that I didn't like? The book is begging for a sequel. LUCKILY there will be one, at least that is the conclusion I derived from it's official website. (Its a good site- if youre at all passionate about the Abarat, check it out!) The illustrations are beautiful. ..., its fun to have pictures without losing quality in the writing. Though this book is simple enough for anyone to understand, even if you are reading at a college level, it casts you under its spell. Oh, I've thought of another bad part! Disney's making a movie, which I can practically guarentee will not live up to the potential. I am very disappointed in Clive Barker- this book inspired us to use our imaginations, and now, we will be told what to think about it from a half-baked movie from Disney. But thats just my opinion. Anyways, only more point about the magic of Abarat. Have you looked at the title, on the cover or front page of the book? Flip it over. Notice anything? This is a truly magical book- I guarentee you'll love it. And if you dont, sorry, but I think you have bad taste.

Abarat is a wonderfully imaginative book. In my opinion it is more imaginative, more vivid, and more colorful than the HP books, which I also love. This first book in a series is amazing, and I loved the allusion to Alice in Wonderland as Candy is in transit to the islands of the Abarat. The story is unresolved at the end of the first book, while some of the questions you are left with at the end are answered in the second, more questions arise. I am very much looking forward to the third book in the series, and though I wish it would come sooner, I would like Clive Barker to take as much time as he needs to get the story where he wants it and don't rush it out like some writers of series novels do.

For someone who's been reading Tolkein lately, and has seen the horrors within "Hellraiser," Abarat was a pleasant twist in literature.
Candy Quakenbush, an unappreciated and abused girl from Boringville, USA (actually, it's Chickentown, Minnesota--same thing), finds herself overcome by an instinct to...well, get away. And she certainly goes where no human of her century has gone before.
I can't explain too much more, because I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT IT'S ABOUT. And that's why I love it. You turn each page thinking you'll get SOME clue to the mysteries of Candy and her acquaintances, and while Barker teases you with little tidbits, he doesn't give everything away (which is why I'd be a terrible writer--I'm not that controlled). This leaves you gasping for breath and craving more. WHY did I have to pick up this book right when it came out? Now I'll have to WAIT for the next three...
The artwork (by Barker himself) is wonderful. I think the last time I read an illustrated book was fourth grade, and it was "Encyclopedia Brown." But Barker's vivid colors and detailed portraits (very Van Gogh at times) give you a glimpse into the Abarat--a truly fascinating world.
Check this book out. You won't want to miss it.

Abarat marks something a of comeback from one time wunderkind Barker, who for a slew of books (The Books of Blood, The Damnation Game, Weaveworld, The Great & Secret Show, Imagica, The Thief of Always, and Everville) seemed to redefine fantasy & horror in popular fiction. Wildly imaginative and surprisingly literate, these leftfield blockbusters had little in common with what passed for genre publishing in the early nineties.

Then came trouble: the "personal" Sacrament, commendable but also, for the first time, dull in spots, the bizarro Galilee (stick with it for the first 400 pages and it gets interesting in the last 50), and finally the entirely unsalvagable Coldheart Canyon, a Barker novel of pure tedium.

Each of these titles was increasingly "realistic," and as Coldheart Canyon made abundantly clear, nothing bores Barker like the real. In seemingly reaching for the NYT Bestseller List, the master magician was starting to put his core audience to sleep.

Abarat does a reasonable job of rectifying the situation. J.K. Rowling has set free Barker's prodigious imagination with that suddenly common refrain "it's a children's book," and the conjurer is cooking again.

While Abarat doesn't immediately climb the heights of Weaveworld or Imagica it is cut from their fabulist cloth -- with stiches of Everville's Lewis Carroll influence worked in. The series won't challenge Harry Potter -- Barker has neither Rowling's quick wit nor narrative drive -- but its boldly colored new world teases and pleases with Barkerian monsters, eccentrics, and wacky place names, and if this first volume is more travelogue than tale, it promises much fun to come.

As to it being a children's book, well, the language is simpler and there's less disembowlment than usual, but Arabat will likely please mature fans of Barker's early work much more than the "adult" Coldheart Canyon.