I started this read with such fervor! I absolutely love Clive’s work! As I read the book I was intrigued at how much I missed that was different from the film when I read it years ago. Therefore, after I breakdown the novella I decided I would compare it to the film. But first the novella by itself.
I have to admit it was a different journey reading this at 32 in comparison to my early 20’s and younger. I suppose possibly I have become more familiar with the film since then. (It is one of my favorites).
The plot is very simple, yet it grabs your attention at the very moment Frank is introduced in the beginning chapter. It has a very mysterious quality to what actually happened to him once he opens the Lemarchand Configuration. Not until later does it become apparent.
Once the box is opened the Cenobites, although independent, seem to have a oneness. It is also interesting that the Cenobites really don’t feel as menacing, or evil as Frank is in the novel.
Julia seems to be a holier than thou type of human. She sees others as inferior, and also has the air of what she wants she gets. In other words a B*^$&. Turning into an evil B*^$& later upon discovering Frank, and wanting to bring him back no matter the cost.
Rory is such a boring character. He is very dependent on Julia’s affection, and approval. He seems very whiney and a sissy. Not to mention passes out at his own blood! He simply is a average Joe wanting a decent life in their newly acquired home that he inherited.
Kirsty is also a very annoying character. For being the “final girl” so to speak she really sucks. She is a Debbie downer, always thinks “poor pitiful me”, she loves Rory and is jealous of Julia having him. Unbeknownst to her Julia doesn’t really love Rory, and she despises Kirsty.
As the novella propelled forward very quickly it was an amazing, and easy read! I was shocked at the differences I noticed, but I still love this novella. I will most certainly revisit it again in the future at some point.
I will go into a bit more detail when I compare the film. However, I still stand firm and give The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker five stars out of five! I honestly thought this rating would change, but I was not let down once again! It remains one of my favorite horror novellas of all time!
Comparison: Novella & Film
I absolutely love Clive’s 1987 movie Hellraiser, and the second installment Hellbound Hellraiser II! I have watched the film countless times, and it never gets old! In fact after reading the novella once more there were some things that I felt Clive changed to better the film.
First off, the Cenobites each have more of their own personality, or fleshed out so to speak. They are much more menacing in the film, and depicted differently than the novella. For starters Pinhead is really only described once in the novella when Frank first opens the box, and in the book seems to be female having a breathy girl/female voice. I felt that changing Pinhead and using Doug Bradley was an amazing change!
Also, the movie seems to incorporate the Cenobites much more especially in the climax. I felt that this was much more effective. However, even though Frank is evil it did seem to make him a bit more tame when the Cenobites were included a bit more.
Julia was spot on! I feel like it was perfect that hardly if any changes occurred in her character, and personality. Stone cold B*^$& she was, and remains.
Rory seems to be a bit less pathetic in the film, but still rather boring. However, having a daughter makes him seems much stronger, and not as whiny. Still, afraid of his own blood. I thought it was genius that Clive used a nail in the film to cut Rory’s hand, but I much rather would have seen him slip with the chisel (as in the novella), and gash is hand open.
Kirsty, the “final girl”, is so much more amazing in the film than on paper! I felt that Clive’s changes were absolutely perfect! Making Kirsty Rory’s daughter was so much more effective than someone who desperately loved Rory but couldn’t have him. She also has a much more strong personality, and it only grows stronger throughout the film. The scene where she is fighting Frank in the room upstairs I particularly like the fact that the line changed to “you want it f*^%ing take it!” Rather than Kirsty simply throwing the box out the window. So much more power for her character. Also, Frank being her uncle makes him a bit more depraved when he craves Kirsty.
Overall, I feel the film was completed much more efficiently than the novella. However, I love that they differ in many ways. It makes it fresh, and it is fun to see the differences and decide what could have been done differently or not.
All in all, I give Hellraiser 1987 five stars out of five stars. I feel that it certainly was a passionate project that Clive poured his blood, sweat, and tears into. I do think that those who bash the films should read The Hellbound Heart because I think it would possibly bring more respect to what the film achieved in comparison to the novella.
Although I gave both the novella and the movie five stars out of five stars I felt like they both deserve it in their own right. I attempted to be as non biased as possible when breaking this down.
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Top reviews from other countries
Sam Quixote
Basic horror nonsense
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2023Chris Thomas
Read it in one sitting!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 18, 2023
