• Absolute Midnight

  • Abarat, Book 3
  • By: Clive Barker
  • Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
  • Length: 15 hrs and 19 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (318 ratings)

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Absolute Midnight  By  cover art

Absolute Midnight

By: Clive Barker
Narrated by: Richard Ferrone
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Publisher's summary

“'I know that many of you here have waited years for this Hour,'” Mater Motley said, using that voice that, though it was barely conversational in volume, was somehow heard everywhere. 'The waiting is over. Tomorrow there will be no dawn. Only midnight, absolute and eternal.'”

And so begins a new chapter in the epic story of 16-year-old Candy Quackenbush and her journeys through the world of the Abarat, where every hour is an island in one eternal day, and nothing is as it seems.

Candy travels through the Abarat from island to island and across the sea with an unlikely band of friends: the escaped prisoner Malingo the Geshrat; the quarrelsome John Brothers, who all share the same body but never the same opinion; and the many other colorful characters they meet along the way.

The problem is that trouble finds Candy wherever she goes. And soon she discovers a secret plot, masterminded by the diabolical Mater Motley, who is obsessed with becoming Empress of the Islands. Her method is simple. She will darken the skies, putting out the suns, moons, and stars. She will bring absolute midnight.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

©2011 Clive Barker (P)2011 HarperCollinsPublishers

What listeners say about Absolute Midnight

Average customer ratings
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    5 out of 5 stars
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BARKER gets DARKER

What did you love best about Abarat: Absolute Midnight?
The unique characters & the vastly strange and mind bending cosmic evil - all put into motion by one of the most evil witches in all fantasy/horror. Clive once again creates a totally alien fantasy world so rich with so many things in it you've never seen or heard of before - yet again. He seems to be a door way to alternate realities. His visions rival H. P. Lovecraft for sheer "otherness". That is something 99.9 % of all horror writers can not do. How does Barker come up with this endless dark fantasy? Makes one wonder... and more than wonder.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Abarat: Absolute Midnight?
The great evil witch battles the great evil sea creature. A weird being from the darkest depths of the ocean. Sheer insanity in it's power and uniquely strange visions. This takes a fantasy novel way beyond a children's book. Harry Potter seems like a dull uninspired old re-do of such tired over-told stories compared to Clive's brain warping alien worlds. This scene actually made me doubt my sanity it's so bizarre.

Have you listened to any of Richard Ferrone’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
The guy's a chorus of voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?
with out giving away a spoiler - I enjoyed some characters surprise turn around in values.

Any additional comments?
Is this a children's story? Is this a replacement for Harry Potter? Perhaps it is the next step into deeper magical worlds not nearly so tame as Harry Potter. It may start in a more safe fantasy world, but by the time we reach this book, Clive has taken us far far down his very dark rabbit hole... into depths of Lovecraft like cosmic strangeness. I would not let small children read this book. However, it brings out the best in childhood-nightmare-worlds for adults.

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7 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another Great Entry in the Abarat Series

Having been a Clive Barker fan since I read his Books of Blood as an early teen, I am always eager to dive into one of his book. This is the third book in his Abarat series, and it does not disappoint. The story builds on the events in the second book of the Abarat, and it becomes increasingly darker as Mater Motley achieves her goal of Absolute Midnight. In addition, she becomes more and more evil and closer to becoming the Empress of the Abarat. Candy Quackenbush--who continues to be the central character--has to rely on more than just her intuition to step up to these new challenges.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Not at all what I was expecting

What would have made Abarat: Absolute Midnight better?

If he had stayed true to the original story.

What was most disappointing about Clive Barker’s story?

It wasnt what I was expecting, it took us in a totally new direction. Who r these people behind the stars?

Would you be willing to try another one of Richard Ferrone’s performances?

He was terrible. He mispronounced many names, & gave the characters new voices. It sounded like he forgot or maybe just ignored the 1st 2 books. Malingo & the John Brothers were the worst.

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Abarat: Absolute Midnight?

I would have handed him the entire book back.

Any additional comments?

Maybe I am being too harsh. I have waited so long for this book & I was so disappointed.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

It’s ok, but....

There are gaps in the recording. Mater Motley’s battle with Pixler is cut off in mid-sentence and picks up in the middle of Candy’s narrative omitting some useful exposition. I’ll change my rating if the technical difficulties are ironed out.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Barker's DONE IT AGAIN!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! Abarat is a journey of imagination everybody should enjoy :)

Who was your favorite character and why?

John Mischief and his brothers. He makes me laugh.

What does Richard Ferrone bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Great pace and suspense building, and Barker has an extensive vocabulary that Ferrone perfectly articulates.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I wanted to go to the Abarat because of this book, that's probably extreme.

Any additional comments?

Yea, make this into a motion picture. That would be the BEST.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Brilliant literature

This is a brilliant book with amazing illustrations, and a first rate reader's performance. This is a book I will be rereading multiple times in the future.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Enthralling!

Although this three part series is atypical Clive Barker, the author’s talents continue to shine through each of the enigmatic characters of his well Spring of creativity. I can hardly wait for additional books in this series!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Love this series!

I have read and listened to the Abarat series over and over for years. its my go to. The frist strong feminist character i feel in love with.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

breakneck pace

felt really rushed at the end. suddenly Candy and Gaza are in love? absolutely no build up to that at all.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Blah blah blah

Very wordy! I’m glad the characters can have a 10 minute conversation during the sudden death situations. If I hear “Lordy Lew!” one more time I’m cancelling my audible account, LOL.

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