The Scarlet Gospels

By: Clive Barker

Narrated by: John Lee

The Scarlet Gospels takes listeners back many years to the early days of two of Barker's most iconic characters in a battle of good and evil as old as time: The long-beleaguered detective Harry D'Amour, investigator of all supernatural, magical, and malevolent crimes faces off against his formidable, and intensely evil rival, Pinhead, the priest of hell. Barker devotees have been waiting for The Scarlet Gospels with bated breath for years, and it's everything they've begged for and more. Bloody, terrifying, and brilliantly complex, fans and newcomers alike will not be disappointed by the epic, visionary tale that is The Scarlet Gospels. Barker's horror will make your worst nightmares seem like bedtime stories. The Gospels are coming. Are you ready?

Good listen. Okay story. Disappointing for fans.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

New to Clive Barker and horror? Yes I would recommend.

Fans of Clive Barker? No. It would be disappointing for you.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

Most: The prologue is strong. As well as the final battle Pinhead has.

Least Interesting: The journey INTO hell and the last scene of Pinhead.

Which scene was your favorite?

Prologue.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes, but it would never be a movie. Way to graphic.

Any additional comments?

Before I begin, I have to say I am a huge Clive Barker fan. Films, movies, and comics. Therefore I want to try to be unbiased. Here we go:

I just love Clive Barker's writing style. It is so eloquent. So wise. He uses words you don't hear much anymore. Some words would make you want to Google the definitions. Reading works like this only increases your own vocabulary. Being a fan, I am well aware with the mythos of the Hellraiser world. I've read the original novella, which I recommend by the way. Mr. Barker does not stick to rules he established in the Hellraiser films and his own novella. Which makes me thing: "what is this a sequel to? The film? The novella?" I still question that, sadly. I'll give two examples. They're not really spoilers. First is the puzzle box itself. In the novella, it's all black and shiny. The films have a wooden box with gold trim on all sides. Scarlet Gospels has the box from the films. Next, when the box is opened, a bell is chimed. This was in the films and the novella and occasionally in here. However, sometimes it's not.

*One Warning:
If you don't know his work, he can be very erotic and graphic. If you're not comfortable with sex, nudity, and profanity, you might have a problem with this book. But hopefully you know this already.

Overall this is a good book. I'd even say this book is better for newbies to Clive Barker than the fans. If you want a really good Clive Barker book, I recommend "M I finished it in 6 days and it was very much a page turner. I will re-read this in a couple months and see if the nostalgia and disappointment gave it only 3 stars.

Very good story, just not the "epic" I expected

Throughout the years leading up to the release of The Scarlet Gospels Clive Barker teased that he was writing his next Imajica sized novel. Pinhead was going to be at the crucifixion, 9/11, the holocaust, etc etc and he was going to really examine the depths of pain the cenobite inflicted and everything behind it. Basically everything you would want from Clive! Years passed and finally a release date is announced and we come to find this mammoth novel is now only 250 pages. I was very disappointed to hear that but I would of course still support Clive. I listened to this book right after finishing the new Imajica audiobook and while TSG is good you can't help but wish for what was originally promised. The visuals Clive creates are amazing but they come and go too quickly, just like everything else. If you are a Clive fan, my words will make sense after you finish. I recommend this book to all Clive barker fans, and horror fans, but be warned, you will feel this visit to this world is too short.

Dark, Horrifying and entoxicating

If horror is what you seek, then you can do a lot worse then "The Scarlet Gospels" by "Clive Barker". The story is engaging, exciting and keeps getting more and more engaging. A masterpeace in my opinion. The narration is excellent and gives every character a life of its own. Absolutely worth a listen.

great story

the narrator just isn't the best. felt like pin head commands a deeper voice and the new York accents were just awkward

Great Story!

I really enjoyed this story. I've listened more than once. My only problem is one characters extremely over the top "New York accent". I know this accent very well, since I have it. I understand it's absurdity. however this is a caricature. If you can get past this one characters voice, you'll enjoy yourself. I certainly did!