A review by cyanide_latte
The Damnation Game by Clive Barker
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Getting into Clive Barker's work has been an interesting journey, and of his work, this is the first novel of his I decided to tackle. If my understanding is correct, I think this was actually his first full-length novel? Please, somebody correct me if that's inaccurate. Either way, it was definitely an earlier one, and it shows in how this book is paced. (At times it feels like there are three false endings, almost like he had originally intended to write this as a connected set of short stories, which I do feel he excels at.)
Generally speaking, I think I had low expectations for a Faustian novel, but Barker managed to surprise me and subvert my expectations here! I enjoyed this a lot, even if it took me the better part of months to get through it. I will say this isn't for the faint of heart though; definitely look up trigger warnings before you read.
Generally speaking, I think I had low expectations for a Faustian novel, but Barker managed to surprise me and subvert my expectations here! I enjoyed this a lot, even if it took me the better part of months to get through it. I will say this isn't for the faint of heart though; definitely look up trigger warnings before you read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Classism, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Torture, Drug abuse, Excrement, and Gore
Moderate: Gaslighting, Misogyny, Body shaming, Fire/Fire injury, Sexism, Sexual content, Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Fatphobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Child death, and Incest