The Hellbound Heart

Abridged Edition Read by the Author

By: Clive Barker

Narrated by: Clive Barker

Length: 2 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Frank Cotton's insatiable appetite for the dark pleasures of pain led him to the puzzle of Lemarchand's box, and from there, to a death only a sick-minded soul could invent. But his brother's love-crazed wife, Julia, has discovered a way to bring Frank back-though the price will be bloody and terrible . . . and there will certainly be hell to pay. This book is the basis for the blockbuster movie Hellraiser.

©2009 Clive Barker (P)2013 David N. Wilson

Wonderful and Brilliant

I purchased this because it is both by a well known author and it is narrated by that same author. I feel that the author is the best person to know how properly to narrate the story. The story is a scary masterpiece about love and lusts folly and is performed wonderfully.

A Must!

The Hellbound Heart is one of the best works in Barker’s Arsenal. Barker’s performance of his work only adds to the beautiful gore found within his pages. As a fan of the film, I enjoy there being so much different from the source material. Both are allowed to live and breathe inside the same universe, while being independent enough to feel fresh with each reading, or in the case of the film, viewing, of the work. 5 stars all the way!

lustful Horror

Clive Barker is one of my favorite writers. Hellraiser is a classic ! I loved hearing the original version of the story. It was cool to hear Clive Barker read it too. I could not stop listening tell it was over. I recommend this to any Horror fan.

I liked the book more than the movie

some of the imagery and suffering Frank experiences is unique to the book and it really captures the hell Frank went through

Horror Classic

I remember buying this book before but I cannot for he life of me find it anywhere, yet even so I'm glad to have the audible version. an easy read and an entertaining one. I feel the voice work could have been more enthusiastic but eh, it's not a deal breaker.

It is a must for all Clive Barker's fans!

I loved the fact that Clive Barker himself narrated this classic storybof his. Clive's voice, suprisingly soothing and delicate can at moments become really scarry while he reads the villain's lines. He read it so well as if he were a professional actor. It was an experience really worth having.

One of the all time greats

Loved it. I listen to it on a 15 minute timer each night, roughly wrapping up each week to start again the next.

Very good! Written and narrated by Clive Barker!!!

What a treat! This story was read perfectly by the man who wrote it. I say if you enjoy the stories by Clive Barker definately give this a listen.

Pleasantly Surprised

I've not seen Hellraiser (yet), but always thought of it as a cooky 80's film. But this story is amazing, and well-worth the listen. A wonderful, twisted universe delivered in a clear and believable way. Highly recommend.

Short and shocking

The "H" word has fallen out of fashion, so we'll just say this is best short supernatural thriller I have ever read. The story is bizarre and the characters are greasy, Clive Barker has a unique voice, this great recording allows you to actually hear it. I am sad this is abridged, I can't seem to locate what has been removed or to find an unabridged recording.

Barker reads his own work

This was a real treat, Barkers beautiful early prose, read by him, you get the full package. Having read all of his work I sometimes have felt that my take on his writing sometimes looses a bit of delivery simply because I don’t have Barkers mind, so it’s nice to hear it straight from source. I would recommend this for any Barker enthusiasts.

Definitive Performance

The Hellbound Heart is a tremendous story that many of us were introduced to as fans of the movie Hellraiser. Although this is an abridged version, it excludes very little, and any of these shortcomings are negated by the fact that this is read by Clive Barker himself.

He's not a outstanding voice actor, but he does a surprisingly good job considering it's not his day job. But by emoting his own work you hear and feel intonations that provide real extra context to his written work, since, after all, he wrote it. It's a particular joy to hear how he depicts the Cenobites.

Out of the unabridged version and the short "performance" audio versions that I own, this is by far my favourite of the three, an enjoyable, easily consumable condensed version that is worth it for Barker's reading alone.

Great

I loved it, listened in one sitting, a good companion to the book. With barkers telling you can hear drama of love and lies unfurl leaving all hope lost

I just pressed play ONCE!!!

I liked it all it was just that book out of the blue that hit the button for me, I think barkers voice gives it that chefs kiss to it.

A genuine milestone in horror

An excellent horror novella that doesn’t pull any punches, a unique concept that raised the bar along with CB’s Books of Blood. This is a visceral and richly drawn story that grips from the start and doesn’t let go, it’s genuinely unnerving in places and I loved the creepy music that began/ended each chapter. The author’s narration gave an added authenticity.

Blooming Brilliant

what can I say, a classic book, written and read by the author.
wonderfully entertaining~☆

Hellraiser

I absolutely enjoyed this it is a perfect listen for any fan of hellraiser and Clive barker was the best possible narrator

great novella

Loved it. Read it years ago. Hearing Barker read it added the icing on the cake.

loved this title

short but a gripping story, having watched the films numerous times I felt it would be full to dive into the original inspiration, I was not dissapointed.

If you like the movie you will love the book!

Superbly read by Clive Barker. Even darker than the film and brilliant experience for Hellraiser fanatics. Highly recommended this one.