* * * * * * * * 8 / 10
Clive Barker
It’s hard to review this very well. The book is well written and the story good, but having seen the film that was based on it, I couldn’t help but compare while I was reading.
The thing is, is while I was reading the book I couldn’t help but remember how the film was much better. Then I watched the film and thought the book is better.
The book has the better plot ā though they are almost identical ā and characters. You can get into their heads much better, understand why they are the way they are. Julia comes across in a whole new way, still not someone to sympathise with but perhaps understand a little more. Kirsty is a better character in the film, but she works better for the story in the book.
I think where the film beats the book is with the Cenobites. Given very little attention in the book, in the film Pinhead especially is charismatic and frightening.
As I’ve already said, it’s very hard to review this and that is because I can’t help but compare it to the film.