The Great and Secret Show

by Clive Barker
The Great and Secret Show cover
Good Books rating 3.94
Fantasy
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Paperback • £12.99
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Technical
  • ID: 5530
  • Added: 2025-10-24
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9780006179085
  • Publisher: HarperCollins UK
  • Published: 1990-01-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

The Great and Secret Show by Clive Barker takes readers on a breathtaking journey through one of the most ambitious imaginative landscapes in modern fiction. Set in the seemingly ordinary town of Palomo Grove, the story unfolds as two great armies, shaped from the hearts and souls of America, prepare for a monumental confrontation. Barker's work is celebrated for its richly detailed world-building and its exploration of the age-old battle between good and evil, all told with a unique and chilling vocabulary that sets it apart from traditional fantasy narratives. /n/n This New York Times bestseller carries its readers from the first stirrings of consciousness to a vision of the end of the world, showcasing Barker's mastery of storytelling and his ability to blend dark fantasy with cosmic horror. The novel is a testament to Barker's imaginative prowess, offering a gripping and unsettling exploration of the supernatural and the human psyche.

Reviews
goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-12-12
thrilling 3.50

The Great And Secret Show is a wild, imaginative ride through a surreal landscape, blending horror and fantasy in a way that's both thrilling and unsettling. The story's scope is vast, but its execution is uneven, leaving some readers captivated and others frustrated.

They found themselves drawn into a world where reality is malleable and the line between good and evil is blurred. The Great And Secret Show is a book that doesn't shy away from the dark corners of the imagination, and it's this fearlessness that makes it stand out. The characters are complex and the themes are thought-provoking, but the pacing can be erratic, and some of the plot points feel underdeveloped. It's a book that demands patience and an open mind, but for those willing to take the journey, it offers a unique and memorable experience. They appreciated the ambition and creativity on display, even if the execution didn't always live up to the promise.

Quick quotes

    It's a book that doesn't shy away from the dark corners of the imagination.

    The characters are complex and the themes are thought-provoking.

    It's a book that demands patience and an open mind.

goodreads.com · Unknown · 2025-11-25
brilliant 4.50

The Great and Secret Show is a sprawling, ambitious epic that explores the uncharted territory within our secret lives and most private hearts. It is a masterpiece of the imagination that delves into memory, prophecy, and fantasy, blending the past, future, and the dreaming moment between.

The Great and Secret Show is a sprawling, ambitious epic that explores the uncharted territory within our secret lives and most private hearts. It is a masterpiece of the imagination that delves into memory, prophecy, and fantasy, blending the past, future, and the dreaming moment between. The story begins with a murder in the Dead Letter Office in Omaha and a lake that falls from the clouds over Palomo Grove, CA. Young passion blossoms as the world withers with war, setting the stage for Armageddon. The Great and Secret Show has begun on the stage of the world, and soon the final curtain must fall. This book is what the rest of life is all about, offering a rich and satisfying exploration of the uncharted territory within our secret lives and most private hearts.

Quick quotes

    Memory, prophecy and fantasy; the past, the future, and the dreaming moment between are all one country living one immortal day. To know that is Wisdom. To use it is the Art.

    In this, the First Book of the Art, Barker has created a masterpiece of the imagination that explores the uncharted territory within our secret lives and most private hearts.

    Sprawling, ambitious, triumphantly magical and satisfying, The Great and Secret Show is what the rest of life is all about.

steve-calvert.co.uk · Unknown · 2025-11-13
brilliant 4.26

The reviewer finds John Cheever to be a brilliant storyteller who captures the essence of life's struggles and dreams. They particularly enjoyed 'The Swimmer' and 'The Day the Pig Fell into the Well', highlighting themes of unfulfilled hopes and sadness. Another reviewer found the stories melancholic but appreciated the depth of emotion.

The reviewer is captivated by John Cheever's ability to weave stories that resonate deeply with the human experience. They praise his skill in portraying the complexities of life, particularly in stories like 'The Swimmer' and 'The Day the Pig Fell into the Well'. These tales delve into themes of unfulfilled dreams and the sadness that often accompanies them, making them particularly poignant. Another reviewer, while finding the collection melancholic, acknowledges the emotional depth and the way Cheever's stories can evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing. The collection is seen as a profound exploration of the human condition, with each story offering a unique perspective on life's joys and sorrows.

Quick quotes

    This is not an imitation, she thought, this is not the product of custom, this is the unique place, the unique air, where my children have spent the best of themselves. The realization that none of them had done well made her sink back in her chair. She squinted the tears out of her eyes. What had made the summer always an island, she thought; what had made it such a small island? What mistakes had they made? What had they done wrong? They had loved their neighbors, respected the force of modesty, held honor above gain. Then where had they lost their competence, their freedom, their greatness? Why should these good and gentle people who surrounded her seem like the figures in a tragedy?

    Try reading John Cheever all summer and working at a country club. That'll mess with you.

    I'd appreciate these stories more, I'm sure, if I could see the silver lining in sadness, broken lives and shattered dreams.

Kendall Reviews · Kendall · 2019-06-11
divisive 3.50

This book has divided critics for many years, and it's easy to see why. It is both horror and epic fantasy and may displease fans of each.

Kendall highlights that this book has been a point of contention among critics for years, primarily because it straddles the genres of horror and epic fantasy. This dual nature can be both its strength and its weakness, appealing to some readers while potentially alienating others. They note that the book's ambitious scope and unique blend of genres make it a compelling read, but it might not satisfy those looking for a purely horror or fantasy experience. The review suggests that the book's ability to transcend traditional genre boundaries is what makes it stand out, even if it doesn't fully satisfy all readers' expectations.

Quick quotes

    This book has divided critics for many years, and it's easy to see why.

    It is both horror and epic fantasy and may displease fans of each.

    The book's ambitious scope and unique blend of genres make it a compelling read.

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