Customer Reviews

Dark Carnival

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Stories receive 5 Stars. Book Value Regarding Asking Price Receives No stars! I ordered this new limited edition book of Dark Carnival. While the stories are some of the best ever from one of our greatest living writers, this book is a complete RIPOFF! When I ordered this book for a whopping $...I thought this book was supposed to be signed by Bradbury and Clive Barker and come with a slipcase and a CD. I found neither signature in the book (no signature page) and no slipcase or CD. Only a printed facsimile of a letter to Bradbury's parents from 1947. I later found out that I would have to shell out another $...for a slipcase and the CD. Pricing an unsigned book with no slipcase at $... on a book that should be priced as a trade edition for about $...-$... is outrageous. Although I love the stories, Gauntlet is overpricing this book, especially when they are misleading as to what customers are actually getting for this money. Of the handful of signed limiteds I own, many have much higher production value for a lot less money. I would hope that more writers would take caution when allowing their books to be published here, and they should know what customers are getting for these signed limiteds. This prohibitively priced book that lacks a lower priced trade edition means that only 700 people will be able to own the book. What about the 1000's of other Bradbury fans?

As a Ray Bradbury fan, this is so far the best addition to my collection yet. Beautiful cover, so much bonus material... In relation to the concern the other reviewer had, you can order it straight from the publisher for the same price and it is autographed (by Clive Barker too).

After waiting most of a lifetime to find a copy of Dark Carnival, I was afraid to read it (and diminish its "value") when I did. Now I will sell it. Because this new edition represents a beautiful IDEA for a book, beautifully executed, with beautiful results. Just a beautiful book. This is not a blast from the past -- this is the future of bookmaking!

I am a huge fan of Ray Bradbury's work from 1969. To see this book, with autographs, and in a limited edition was very exciting for me.

I think the magazine covers, reproduced with the stories, should have been full page and in color. I also think the reproductions of the old letters was of a pretty poor quality. On the other hand, it was really good to see the covers of each magazine in which the story originally appeared, and I loved the inclusion of the letters at the end.

My other disappointment was that I apparently did not read the fine print that would have informed me that my copy, ordered through Amazon.com, would NOT be numbered or autographed by either Bradbury or Cline -- contrary to Gauntlet Press's information. I have purchased through Amazon.com for years with GREAT satisfaction, but feel this caveat should have been much more prominent.

There should have been a price for the numbered, autographed editions, and a lower price for the one that is, essentially, a general-run book.

But, while I feel [the price] is too much for a book that is NOT a signed, numbered limited edition book, I am glad I have the book.

Bradbury's writing is awesome and this re-issue should have been out a long time ago.

Just a few words about this timeless classic. I have just received this deluxeedition of what is probably one of the best collections of dark tales ever. But i have to admit that i am just a little bit disappointed about the overall look of the book. Sure it is printed on good paper, has a smythsewn binding and nice typography. Compared to the standard american/english hardback this one is definetely a lot better and will look good on your bookshelves in many years from now. But hey, [$$$]!!! Thats a whole lot of money, and when you think about what other smallpress publishers can make for only half or less of that price, then i find it too be just a tiny bit too expensive. The extras are nice, especially the old letters, which unfortunately are badly reproduced here. I had also hoped that the magazinecovers that preceed each story had been bigger and in color, as they are too small and blurry.
I know that the publisher will say that the book could not have been made any cheaper, especially taking in consideration the low printrun of about 700 copies, but why not have doubled/tripled the printrun which would surely have lowered the price, or made it possible to use colors inside the book. I know that mr. Bradbury probably wouldnt want to sign this many books, but then a certain part of them could have been sold unsigned. I personally would not have minded if it have meant that i would have a more beautiful book!
Just my thought, and maybe i am just used to seeing better produced books here in denmark. The firsteditions here are often much more nicely produced than even expensive american limited editions!
But anyway, great book and its fantastic to finally seeing it back in print!

I received my copy of this book today, and contrary to the above notice it IS signed by Ray Bradbury, right above Clive Barker's signature. Beyond that, I can't think of another book that has been compiled with such care and artistry. This edition is absolutely BRIMMING with extra goodies, most of which are mentioned in the publisher's description. It's fantastic to be able to return to Bradbury's early classic stories, a few of which have been out of action since the original edition went out of print half a century ago (there were half a dozen or so that were never reprinted in "The October Country"). One of my favorites is "Interim," a nasty little zinger just a page and a half long. Plus, there are five "lost" stories that are, for all practical purposes, new to the world, although composition-wise they date back to the 1940's. Check this one out, folks. You'll love it.

The book itself is an awesome find. But I was disappointed to find out it was not signed by the author. This obviously lowers the potential value of the book.

Dark Carnival has been kinda of a holy grail for horror book readers. It's a very rare book to find. It contains short stories by Bradbury, many of which you can find in his other book The October Country. However, this is the orignal, unedited book. Bradbury felt that the stories were too disturbing and didnt' release the book. It will be in pront for a very short time comnig up. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to be able to say they have a rare find,

i've been waiting & waiting for this book to be reprinted since i read about it 15 years ago.
i love ray bradbury he is an awesome storyteller...great author great stories if you haven't read it your missing out

I've long been a fan of Ray Bradbury. To own the signed edition with the cover of a painting, also by Bradbury, is a treasure. Stories never seen, and won't be again, lie waiting to take you on magical journeys. I say BRAVO to Gauntlet Press for all their hard work in collaborating with Mr. Bradbury to design the book as he wanted it! (Gauntlet works with authors, including Matheson, Bloch. Check them out). This book is the best of Bradbury. Incuded are his doodles, plus the cover pages of the magazines where the stories first appeared. No author can weave the web of magic that Bradbury does, and this book is a testament to that.
If you love his work, don't pass this rare opportunity to enter the magical edition.