Midian Unmade by Joseph Nassise and Clive Barker Book Review
 Buy on Amazon | Midian Unmade: Tales of Clive Barker’s NightbreedBy: Assorted, Edited by Joseph Nassise, Intro by Clive Barker Published by: Tor Books ISBN: 0765335425 Author’s Website: http://josephnassise.com/ Author’s Social: Facebook | Twitter Format of Review Copy: Digital & Hardback Recommendable for people who enjoy: |
Synopsis (from Amazon):
An authorized, all-original horror anthology set in the world of Clive Barker’s cult film masterpiece, Nightbreed and including stories by Seanan McGuire, Amber Benson, Karl Alexander, Nancy Holder, and more!
Clive Barker‘s Nightbreed has been controversial since the moment it was released in a version edited by the studio and roundly condemned by Barker, who wrote and directed the film. A virtually instant cult film, Nightbreed–based on Barker‘s novella, Cabal–was nominated for three Saturn Awards and won several prizes at European film festival.
The impact of Nightbreed goes beyond the screen; along with Cabal and Barker’s seminal The Books of Blood, it has inspired many horror writers, some of whom have gathered in this tribute anthology.
Midian Unmade tells the stories of the Nightbreed after the fall of their city, Midian. Driven from their homes, their friends and family members slain before their eyes, the monsters become a mostly-hidden diaspora. Some are hunted; others, hunters. Some seek refuge. Others want revenge.
Contributors to Midian Unmade include: Karl Alexander, author of the classic novel Time After Time; actor, writer, and director Amber Benson (Tara Maclay on Buffy the Vampire Slayer); New York Times bestselling author Nancy Holder; Hugo and John W. Campbell Award-winner Seanan McGuire; Bram Stoker Award winner Weston Ochre, David J. Schow, winner of the World Fantasy Award, writer of the screenplay for The Crow; New York Times bestselling writer Stephen Woodworth; and many more–23 stories in all.
With an introduction by Clive Barker, this is an outstanding collection of original horror short stories in a dazzling variety of styles.
My Thoughts:
First, let me tell you how I got to read this thing early! So, I had preordered this book a while back and then posted it as my Waiting on Wednesday/Wishlist Wednesday post a few weeks ago. Well, you know how when you do a blog post, you share that post on twitter and facebook? Did. And to my surprise Joseph Nassise, the editor of this book, saw the post! He was so nice and sent me a digital copy so I wouldn’t have to wait for the hardback to get here! I’m still totally floored by that, y’all. No kidding!
I was so excited for this. The thing about short stories anthologies/collections, though, is some are usually amazing – and some…not so much. So how do you review the book? Do you look at it as a whole or look at each individual story? That’s what I wanna know. lol.
Over all I liked more than I didn’t.
For me, a story about the characters of Midian needs to somehow scare you a little with its creepiness and yet still leave you rooting for the “monsters” if its to hold true to the original feel of Clive Barker’s Cabal and NIGHTBREED. I think Amber Benson (yes, the one from BUFFY The VAMPIRE SLAYER) nailed it. C Robert Cargill totally nailed it, too. But, unfortunately, there were a couple that just didn’t work for me. They weren’t horrible! I was just like, “meh. Ok whats next?”
I think the stories I didn’t like, I didn’t like because I was just so hyped up for the book. You know what I mean? When you wait wait wait for something, and then you finally get it and you’re just like… man. I thought there’d be more…. Actually, now that I am typing this out, maybe that’s it? Maybe the ones I didn’t care for, was just because they were so short you really don’t have time to build a connection to the characters?
Bottom line is, I don’t regret buying this book. Even though I was a little disappointed in a couple of the stories, I *LOVED* revisiting the idea/world/characters of Midian.
“What?! No story breakdowns?” Hey, I hear ya, but… no spoilers from me, my friend. If I sat and did an analysis of each SHORT STORY – what would be the point in reading the stories?! You need to experience them blind…just like I did. Then come back and talk to me about it in the comments.
In Conclusion:
Anyone who is a fan of Barker’s original work CABAL or the film NIGHTBREED should pick it up. Well worth the price of admission.