What do You think about The Inhuman Condition (2001)?
In 1986, Clive Barker followed the enormous success of the first three volumes of The Books Of Blood, with a final three volumes to create the entire Books Of Blood series. His two omnibus's were later to be broken down, to be sold as individual books. Barker was invited to be able to illustrate these covers, with his dark and twisted artwork. This volume was also released in America under the name 'The Inhuman Condition'. The six volumes were all released in their individual forms back in 1985, this forth volume contains the following short stories: The Body Politic - 47 pages "What if parts of your body, such as your hands for instance, suddenly decided that they wanted to sever their connections with you and be free? Human hands tear themselves from their masters to start a bloody revolution". A truly unforgettable tale of weird horror that screams paranoia from every page. Barker offers up this surreal treat that will please any horror fan. The short was later to be adapted for the movie 'Quicksilver Highway', which was unfortunately directed by Mick Garris (Sleepwalkers, The Stand, The Shining - TV version) in which he delivers his usual low-talented direction skills to complement the budget on offer. The Inhuman Condition - 47 pages "A knotted string unravels dark hungering nightmares". Bringing with it a brief glimpse at Barker's principal ideas for 'The Hellbound Heart', this short story packs in heart-pounding suspense and twisted horror to form a gripping and terrifying storyline. The premise behind the story is a clever and inspired one, as we see mankind's irresistible urge for curiosity. Revelations - 56 pages "In a Texas motel room, the living and the dead make love. Buck and Sadie Durning check into the Cottonwood Motel in June 1955. Buck never checks out and four months later Sadie is executed for his murder. Thirty years later, John and Virginia Dyer check into the same hotel where the ghosts of Buck and Sadie have returned to relive their fateful drama". A terrifying and disturbing tale that will haunt you for a long time to come. Barker paints a vivid picture of the murderous atmosphere that will chill you to the bone. The story was later adapted by Steve Niles in 1992 into the Eclipse Books graphic novel 'Revelations' where it was illustrated by Lionel Talaro. Down, Satan! - 6 pages "A palace is built to lure Satan back to earth". A very short one here from Barker, setting down a creepy and dark idea that sits there waiting to unnerve you. The story was later adapted in 1992 into the graphic novel 'Tapping The Vein - Book 5' where it was illustrated by Tim Conrad. The Age Of Desire - 54 pages "A powerful aphrodisiac creates ghastly sexual urgings". Here we have a erotic horror crossover with a fair sprinkling of black comedy mixed in with the dark and twisted storyline. The short story was made into a graphic novel at one time but the decline of Eclipse Comics resulted in the sad loss of this graphic novel illustrated by Timothy Bradstreet.
—Dreadlocksmile
I forgot how much I love Clive Barker's writing. This collection of short stories covers territory any Barker fan would be familiar with. Human giving into hidden urges. Some bound demons being released. Some sexuality. Grisly murder scenes written in restrained elegance. Barker is one of the few authors who can write about someone being eviscerated and not have it turn you off to the book.The stories ranged from creepy, to scary, to outright funny. This is officially a continuation of the Books of Blood series. and unfortunately since it is shorter, it feels a little less weighty than the first (which was actually a collection of the first 3 in the series).the first was a demon release story, and sort of followed the typical trope. but it is written well and is very entertaining. The Body Politic was very funny. Human hands have staged a revolution and go on a rampage "freeing" their brethren by dismembering their owners. I could not stop thinking of the hand from the Addams family doing little dances across people's newly hands-free bodies.Revelations is probably the best of the 5 in this case. A ghost story with some feminist/anti-religious themes that ended up being very satisfying and pulled of an incredibly stereotypical "twist" ending and actually made it fresh.Down Satan was great. A man decides to summon God by finding the devil and proceeds to build Hell on Earth. Super short, and very satisfying. something along the lines of building a house of horrors a la Bluebeard's Castle.The age of desire was the most sexual of the stories. A lab discovers a drug that activates libido to the point that it kills by too much sex. This sounds tawdry and graphic, and initially it is. But the end becomes very human and tragic.Highly recommended.
—Rafal Cebula
The Body Politic - Everybody's hands have their own consciousness. Charlie George's are tired of being used and not appreciated, so they stage a revolution. Kind of a ridiculous premise, isn't it? I think this one could be read as black comedy if you wanted to see it like that. I was kind of disturbed, though. It left me frowning at my hands and wondering... It was my favorite in this book.The Inhuman Condition - Four trouble-making friends beat up a vagrant for fun. They try to rob him but find
—Rowan MacBean
