Primal: From the Cradle to the Grave (1992)

Primal: From the Cradle to the Grave (1992)

Authors: Clive Barker / Daniel G. Chichester / Erik Saltzgaber

Illustrator: John Van Fleet | Page Count: 64

'Tiny bones are cast aside, sweet suck of marrow still within. Half-masticated gristle spit out to make way for new treats.'

Fortunately, I chose to read Primal on the strength of Clive Barker's involvement and didn't read the blurb on the back until after I'd finished the book in its entirety. I recommend the same approach to anyone who may be interested in reading it because the blurb is spoilery.

In case that sounds like a recommendation, I'll jump ahead and sum up my thoughts now: it was deeply disappointing and isn't something I plan to revisit.

Barker's influence is felt chiefly at the book's beginning, in its basic themes and initial mysteries, and in how it incorporates notions of sexual desire mixed with esoteric experimentation, exploring how a hungering lust for new  experiences can open doorways to darker realms.

I liked that part quite a bit; it felt almost like a cross between the Altered States (1980) film and Barker's own Hellraiser (1987). John Van Fleet's artwork captures the sense of purposeful isolation and grisly darkness that the story aims for at that time. It's tremendously expressive, but I did tire of the style, which seems to be, at least partly, real life photographs painted over in a smudgy pastel style. I'm sure I saw Robert De Niro in there, dressed as a soldier.

The second half of the book attempts to open up the narrative and show how its protagonist's personal devotions enable him to fit (or don't fit) into the wider world, but his manipulating approach feels meandering and the new characters, while well-written, feel artificial, placed into the story merely to move it along to its conclusion, but some of them only serve to slow it down.

When it did reach its conclusion, I felt cheated. The entire book is just set-up for two other planned titles — The Riven and a four-part Primal continuation — neither of which appeared in the form promised. It was like journeying to a horror-themed costume party in the spooky house atop the hill, only to discover that it was cancelled before you even left your home. [1]

[1] The Riven never appeared. Primal got a two-part continuation but remained unfinished.