Customer Reviews

The Reconciliation (Imajica, Book 2)

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

It is hard to believe that it has been over ten years since I first read this mammoth novel- and some thirteen since it was first published. I think "mammoth" is not exaggerating, for how else do you describe on novel that exists as two separate volumes, each of over 500 pages? This isn't a casual read. It represents a considerable investment in time. There are also so many characters, settings, plot lines, specialized vocabulary and underlying principles to keep straight.... Yet, it is worth the investment in time and effort.
The basic framework, like so many of Barker's other novels, is that of a hidden world behind the superficial façade of our mundane world. Barker is such a master at interweaving mundane, and profane, details into the greater fabric of his realities that you find yourself totally drawn in. I found myself totally immersed in this hidden reality. For this is a story of five worlds, or dimensions, or Dominions. These make up the whole of Imajica. That is, they should. Two hundred years ago there was an attempt to reconcile our own fifth Dominion with the other four. This ended in a metaphysical catastrophe so great that that nearly all of the Dominions great theurgists, shamans, and theologians were killed. The result was that almost all magical knowledge passed from our world and for two centuries science and materialism held grim sway.

Now, conditions are once again ripe for an attempt to reconcile the Dominions. The great magus', or Maestros, know that this may very well be the last attempt to heal the rift in creation. To fail this time will undoubtedly mean two more centuries of isolation- plenty of time for the Fifth Dominion to destroy itself in nuclear or ecological suicide.

Yet, to heal the rift will require a Master of such power and confidence that he will try to succeed where all those that have gone before him (even the Christos) has failed....

This isn't really the second book of Imajica, it is the second half- it was just necessary for the publisher to split it in half.

When Judith's estranged husband hires a mysterious assassin to kill his wife, he unwittingly sets in motion a sequence of events that will change all the dominions of the Imajica, of which Earth is the fifth. Both Judith and her former lover John "Gentle" Zacharias are drawn into the mysteries as the assassin Pie 'oh' Pah leads them both forward to remembering their origins and connections to each other and to the ruler of the other dominions, the Autarch. Judith's journey veers from Gentle's when she finds evidence of buried and suppressed goddesses on Earth and in the other dominions. But the Autarch has domination plans of his own, and he won't be stopped without drawing blood first. "Imajica" is essentially about healing, and about love. Gentle is a broken man, a habitual womanizer, who's brought to a place of healing through his relationship with Pie 'oh' Pah, a mystif with the power to change sex according to another's true desires. Judith is claimed by many men, but she battles this ownership, and must find her own way and rely on her own strength if she's to assist in bringing the dominions back together. And ultimately it's in Judith's hands whether this healing of the Imajica comes about or fails yet again. It's a gorgeous epic fantasy that soars to a reader's heart, and once there plants a seed of imagining the world as a better place, much as Gentle and Judith do. This is one of my favorite all-time books. I feel so wordless in attempting to describe it.

In this, the second half of Imajica, we find Gentle venturing to see the First Dominion, where the fabled Happexamendios (God), is supposed to reside. Wonderfully odd perspective on men, the way they think, and the psychology of a god created and worshipped by men. Such fresh ideas could only come from someone outside looking in, as Clive Barker is a classic example. (Intended as a compliment.)

Clive Barker maintains an almost dazzling sense of control over material that would, almost certainly, have bested a lesser author. Rather than becoming impatient with the book's lenght, I found myself wishing he had slowed down and given the individual characters even more time to develop their distinctiveness. A minor complaint I admit, but the degree of my enthrallment at the entertainment was tempered only by my desire for a slightly, at times, less breathless pace. If you are a lover of imaginative writing that dares to be great however, don't miss it.

I love Clive Barker's work. But I feel Decieved because I have read this book before, when it was just one book. You should make this clear to your customers. I will be more careful next time.
I loved the book the first time but I am not going to buy the first half again. How disappointing it was not a totally new story about the same Imajica.
Or am I wrong? I don't think so.

This book is a tidle wave of experiences and emotions! I did not think Clive could top his efforts in Weaveworld, but I was sorely mistaken. He takes the reader through radically different worlds in this piece of work. Join Gentle (John Furie Zacharias) as he travels through the five different dominions and challenges himself to reconcile them all into one. Only he has the power and the drive to complete this monumental task. I have read this book (the ONE BOOK version) several times. Each time it gets a bit better. Between Jude, Gentle, Pie-O-Pah and Dowd, the action never stops! How many of you have been to another dominion? You may never know if you don't read this book..

I have to admit I only read the Dutch translation of the book. There is no such thing here as Imajica I or Imajica II, there's just IMAJICA. And that's the way it should be. I don't know whose idea it was to turn the epic into two seperate books, but in my eyes it is WRONG!!! Everyone who has decided to read the first book and to ignore the second, will be left in the In Ovo (you'll understand what I mean if you have read the book). Anyway... everyone who has read the first book, will probably feel an uncontrollable urge to read the second one as well. My advice: don't hesitate. There's more to follow. Watch Gentle as he stumbles along. Keep you're eyes on the ever-enchanting Judith. And... beware of Sartori... More than just a book. A bible for all romantic souls (and dark souls as well). Experience the thrill of being taken away to the other dominions. Open your mind to the beauty and horror of... IMAJICA...

I was looking forward to purchasing this item, but after reading L. Farster's review, I decided to do a bit of research. Like L. Farster, I discovered that The Reconciliation (Imajica, Book 2) is not "new" book, but rather that the original Imajica (I have the hardcover from '91) has been split into two books. Thanks, L. Farster, and yes, Amazon.com should make more it clear!

Imajica involves life in the 90's with the delirious mind of C.Barker. The story involves magic, colors, people, magnificent landscapes, horror, love, sex...but yet they combine simlessly into the plot. In short, THE book. Will leave you with a smile. promise.

this story is amazing. if you haven't, then read it. if you have, read it again!