Burr: A Novel (Vintage International)

by Gore Vidal
Burr: A Novel (Vintage International) cover
Good Books rating 4.5
Technical
  • ID: 5337
  • Added: 2025-10-23
  • Updated: 2025-10-23
  • Reviews: 4
Reviews
bookpeople.com · Unknown · 2025-10-24
masterful 4.50

The reviewer praises Gore Vidal's Burr for its witty and insightful portrayal of Aaron Burr, blending historical fiction with political intrigue. They appreciate the novel's engaging narrative and vivid characterizations, making it a compelling read.

Gore Vidal's Burr is a masterful blend of historical fiction and political intrigue, offering a fresh perspective on the enigmatic Aaron Burr. The reviewer is particularly impressed by Vidal's ability to bring historical figures to life with wit and insight, making the novel both educational and entertaining. The narrative is engaging, and the characterizations are vivid, drawing readers into the complexities of Burr's life and the political landscape of the time. While some might find the pacing uneven, the overall experience is enriching and thought-provoking, making Burr a standout in the genre of historical fiction. The reviewer highly recommends it to fans of political drama and historical narratives.

Quick quotes

    Gore Vidal's Burr is a masterful blend of historical fiction and political intrigue.

    The narrative is engaging, and the characterizations are vivid.

    The overall experience is enriching and thought-provoking.

ebay.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-24
excellent 4.50

Clive Barker's Books of Blood series is a collection of horror short stories that blend the ordinary with the extraordinary, featuring a mix of traditional horror, dark fantasy, and comedy. The stories are known for their shock value and seductive elements, making them a standout in the horror genre.

Clive Barker's Books of Blood series is a landmark in the horror genre, featuring six collections of short stories that range from traditional horror to dark fantasy and comedy. The stories are notable for their ability to shock and seduce readers, blending the ordinary with the extraordinary. Barker's unique style and imaginative storytelling make these collections a must-read for horror fans. The series introduces characters like Harry D'Amour, who later appear in other works, showcasing Barker's ability to create compelling narratives that resonate with readers. The Books of Blood are celebrated for their eroticism and the way they transform the everyday into something terrifying and unforgettable.

Quick quotes

    Horror stories tend to work very well in the short form because they’re a slap across the face.

    Few authors can claim to have marked a genre so thoroughly and personally that their words have leaked into every aspect of modern pop culture.

    The Books of Blood combine the ordinary with the extraordinary while radiating the eroticism that has become Barker’s signature.

abebooks.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-10-24
excellent 4.50

The reviewer found Clive Barker's third volume of Books of Blood to be a compelling collection of horror stories, each with unique themes and executions. They particularly praised 'Rawhead Rex' and 'Scape-Goats' for their creativity and impact, highlighting Barker's ability to blend horror with deep character development.

The reviewer's journey with Clive Barker's Books of Blood began after watching Hellraiser, driven by a desire to understand the source material better. They found the third volume to be a rich tapestry of horror, with each story offering something distinct. 'Son of Celluloid' was noted for its inventive body horror, while 'Rawhead Rex' stood out for its brutal and relentless demon, making it one of the best representations of a demon in literature. 'Confessions of a (Pornographer's) Shroud' was praised for its dark humor and tender yet horrifying revenge tale. 'Scape-Goats' was a favorite, appreciated for its slower pace and effective use of setting to build tension. The final story, 'Human Remains,' drew parallels to Hellraiser with its themes of blood and transformation. Overall, the reviewer was impressed by Barker's unique style and ability to create compelling characters and mythologies.

Quick quotes

    Barker is the master of creating mythologies and casting great characters within for a more personal experience.

    This vile creature may be the best representation of a demon ever written, and Barker doesn’t shy from the violence.

    It’s interesting to note that we shouldn’t care about any of these characters, but they are compelling enough to find common ground.

secure.paperbackswap.com · Unknown · 2006-12-26
brilliant 4.50

The review discusses three short stories by Clive Barker, highlighting their atmospheric and eerie qualities. 'The Madonna' is praised for its dark and imaginative fiction, while 'In The Flesh' is described as a piece of literary genius with a chilling exploration of the afterlife. 'Babel's Children' is noted for its mystery and farcical use of misguided power.

The review delves into three short stories from Clive Barker's collection, each offering a unique blend of horror and intrigue. 'The Madonna' is particularly atmospheric, with a clinging humidity that envelops the tale in palpable terror. The story's Lovecraftian revelations are both compelling and momentous, leading to a bleak conclusion. 'In The Flesh' stands out as a highlight, with its unnerving depth and chilling exploration of the afterlife. The story's sinister premise and depressive horror make it a standout piece in the collection. 'Babel's Children' diverges from typical horror elements, instead focusing on mystery and misguided power, creating a compelling and intriguing read.

Quick quotes

    Creepy, eerie and drenched in fear — from the outset Barker lays down an intense and utterly grimy urban setting, bursting at the seams with a lurking threat that seems just out of reach for the first half of the short.

    Perhaps one of the most atmospheric of Barker’s shorts, ‘The Madonna’ is a truly remarkable piece of eerie and imaginatively dark fiction.

    Barker’s ‘In The Flesh’ is a piece of absolute literary genius. Its unnerving depth and chilling exploration of the darker sides of the afterlife are as haunting as they are utterly compelling.

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