Mister B. Gone

Written by Clive Barker

Narrated by Doug Bradley

“Think of a darker, more aggressive version of C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. . . . Filled with wicked mischief and dark dares.” — Kansas City Star

From Clive Barker, the great master of horror and the macabre, comes a brilliant and truly unsettling tour de force of the supernatural—a terrifying work that escorts the reader on an intimate and revelatory journey to uncover the shocking truth of the battle between Good and Evil.

“Burn this book!”

So warns Jakerbok, the spellbinding narrator of this fabulously original “memoir,” a tale of good and evil deliberately “lost” for nearly six hundred years. Jakerbok is no ordinary soul; he is a minion of hell with a terrifying plan to cast the world into darkness and despair—a plan thwarted by a young apprentice of Johannes Gutenberg who buried the one and only copy of this damnable manuscript that his master printed in 1438.

Compelling and direct, Jakerbok shares the secrets of his life, going back centuries to recall the events that shaped his childhood, including the traumas he suffered at the hands of his parents, super demons themselves. He explains how he rose from “minor” to “major” demon status, and gleefully reveals his nefarious plot to “invade” the minds and hearts of unwitting humans everywhere thanks to the ingenious Gutenberg and his invention. “Burn this book!” he advises throughout—a taunt, a warning, and a command that will actually unleash the evil with which he has hidden in every word and every page, infusing the very ink and paper upon which they are printed.

Inventive and irresistible, Mister B. Good reaffirms Clive Barker is one of our most brilliant and original voices, an artist with a keen insight into mysteries deep within the human heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Oct 30, 2007
• ISBN: 9780061555756

Clive Barker

Clive Barker is the bestselling author of twenty-two books, including the New York Times bestsellers Abarat; Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War; the Hellraiser and Candyman series, and The Thief of Always. He is also an acclaimed painter, film producer, and director. He lives in Southern California.

Reviews for Mister B. Gone

[Vi Car · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Love this, especially with Doug Bradley narrating. Superb black comedy.

[Jurriaan Knol · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Amusing and well written, the fourth wall stuff gets a bit intrusive after a while though.

[agnes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

honestly did not know what to expect with my first ever brush with clive barker in text format- but i was happily blown away. the audiobook was just so... delightful? couldn't have felt like a better voice given to jakabob. the whole thing felt like a more grim, intense take on good omens- and for what it's worth i mean that as the highest of compliments.

i loved the medieval vibes, and the ending did make me feel a touch of genuine emotion so. personally, it's a slay.

[Daisy Kirby · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was an interesting read for sure, but I have to agree with other reviewers that the oft repeated begging to burn the book got very tedious, and well before the end, took away from the story as a whole. Otherwise, a quite curious story

[jhemlock-1711 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A quirky little story. Quite entertaining. A relief and breath of fresh air from some of his other work. One gets tired of reading about male anatomy after homosexual encounters. This is Mr. Barker's one flaw in many of his books. It is possible to tell a story without describing these things. If I want to read that.....I will read 120 days of Sodom.

[thereadingmermaid · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not one of his best for sure. The narrator of the book is also the main character and he continuously breaks the reality of the book and tries to make it seem like the book is real to the reader. It comes off as rather annoying in the manner in which he does this. Plus it breaks from the story and in my opinion takes away from the story itself. Would have been more entertaining to read if not for that.

[geemont_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I fondly remember Clive Barker's early short stories and novels from the '80s. However, somewhere along the way I stopped reading him. Mister B. Gone is supposedly a return to his horror roots. Although the book is about Hell, Demons, and the horrible things they can do to Humanity, the book could be more accurately described as dark fantasy. His underworld and demons require a heavy dose of Suspending Disbelief, much in the same way you would approach the Greek gods in works like the Iliad or the Odyssey. At times Barker's prose is a little weak, too reliant on simplistic short sentences, and rarely lets any sinister eloquence ripple though his words. There are a few gruesome scenes, but the narrator, Mister B., just can't seem to carry the book beyond a mere mundane dream of damnation.

[brittaniethekid · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

The first 50 pages are the "trapped demon" just telling you to burn the book, as if having a conversation. When it stops "talking" to you, and actually tells a story, it's good but the banter in between actual story telling is annoying and pointless.

The book itself is beautiful, with "aged" pages and block type print. Too bad more work went into presentation than the content.

[Emma Kathleen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am shocked by the amount of sub-par and negative reviews of this book. There seems to be a standard expectation of Clive Barker and his works to fall into a mold. This book was a fun exploration and an experiment; a unique opportunity to experience the concept of arguing with a demon possessing the very paper you are holding. It is understandable to expect a certain architecture of craft with an author you hold dear, but I feel it is much more important to exit your critical mind and enjoy the ride that is presented to you. To me, this is Clive Barker’s attempt to bring something fresh to his readers; to give them a fun little ride. The idea that the demon is simply annoying and a distraction to the plot feels preposterous. If you are a fan or a new reader, please abandon your concept of what Clive Barker “should be” and enjoy the fantastical, personal, and unique trip that Mr. B. Gone has to offer!

[johngrant1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Barker, as I recall, received a lot of flak when this book came out, and it's easy to see why: his publisher marketed it as his grand return to straightforward horror, whereas really it's a dark comedy -- nothing like thwarted expectations to annoy one's readers! The eponymous character and narrator is a demon who escapes a ghastly fate in Hell by coming to the surface and the 15th century, where, after teaming up with another demon in like circumstances, he eventually finds himself in Mainz. The fact that this is the time when Gutenberg is ushering in the spanking new technology of printing is no coincidence, since it provides a main driving force of the plot as well as, so the narrative conceit goes, an explanation for this book's existence. The demon himself, Jakabob Botch, is an interesting and almost likeable companion; despite his frequent cruelties, he has some smattering of a conscience and the finer sensibilities.

This isn't a blemishless novel -- the constant exhortations to the reader to burn the book rather than keep reading are too long and repetitive, while for me the climactic scenes likewise dawdled -- but overall I was entertained.

[RC Kimmel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't think this would have had the impact without having been an audio book.. Bradley is an amazing narrator.

[brookeashley-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

If I knew nothing about Clive Barker, I'd probably have enjoyed this more than I did. I read The Thief of Always 13 years ago, and it still sticks with me today. A few months have gone by between when I read this and when I wrote this review, and I'd already forgotten that I'd read it. It's a solid little tale about a demon trapped in a book, but that's all it is.

[a.godhelm · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very fun concept that didn't translate into a very fun book.

[lynnmpk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. I thought it was quite innovative.

[damiella-533991 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Ok but I honestly wasn't that impressed with this one. He's definitely done better in my opinion

[bookwyrmm_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Very cool premise, but it lacked the thrill it seemed to think it had, plus it took a long while to get to the meat of the story.

[danielstj · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An amazing romp through the demonic and The Middle Ages where Barker weaves his magic and battle between good and evil. His character, Jakabok Botch is one of the finest portrayals that I've seen that adds a fine measure of credence and power to bring the most out of his tale. Additionally, the plot devices and changes of scene are welcomed and great. This is a top-notch book. Barker fans should flock to this one and those wanting to explore him will do well to start here.

4.5 stars- FULLY earned.

[sumisbooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Not one of his best for sure. The narrator of the book is also the main character and he continuously breaks the reality of the book and tries to make it seem like the book is real to the reader. It comes off as rather annoying in the manner in which he does this. Plus it breaks from the story and in my opinion takes away from the story itself. Would have been more entertaining to read if not for that.

[joe73-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A quirky little story. Quite entertaining. A relief and breath of fresh air from some of his other work. One gets tired of reading about male anatomy after homosexual encounters. This is Mr. Barker's one flaw in many of his books. It is possible to tell a story without describing these things. If I want to read that.....I will read 120 days of Sodom.

[joligula · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A quirky little story. Quite entertaining. A relief and breath of fresh air from some of his other work. One gets tired of reading about male anatomy after homosexual encounters. This is Mr. Barker's one flaw in many of his books. It is possible to tell a story without describing these things. If I want to read that.....I will read 120 days of Sodom.

[thefallingalice · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Jakabok Botch ist gefangen zwischen den Deckeln dieses Buches. Er ist ein unbedeutender Dämon, der den Leser gleich zu Beginn auffordert, das Buch zu verbrennen und ihn so von seinen Qualen zu erlösen.
Nachdem man seiner Aufforderung (natürlich) nicht folgt, beginnt Botch nun widerwillig, seine Geschichte zu erzählen.
Als Dämon des neunten Kreises, geboren in eine Familie voller Hass und Missgunst, hat Botch es nicht leicht. Eines Tages zieht er den Zorn seines Vaters so sehr auf sich, dass dieser eine Hetzjagd beginnt. Beide geraten so in eine Falle und werden an die Oberfläche entführt. Dort will man den Dämon töten, um seine Einzelteile zu verkaufen. Doch Mister B. gelingt die Flucht und es beginnt sein großes Abenteuer…

Clive Barker ist berühmt für seine Bücher des Blutes. Schon dort sagten mir persönlich die Dämonengeschichten weniger zu. Und das trifft auch auf dieses Buch zu.
Mister B. will ein furchteinflößender Dämon sein, doch aus Gründen, die sich dem Leser einfach nicht erschließen wollen, wird er unter seinesgleichen verachtet und selbst die Menschheit bringt ihm angesichts seines scheußlichen Aussehens nur Verachtung und Hohn entgegen. Barker versucht hier seinen Dämon zu sehr zu vermenschlichen, so dass alles weniger glaubwürdig erscheint.
Durch die ständige Aufforderung des Dämons, dieses Buch endlich zu verbrennen, kommt die ganze Geschichte nicht wirklich in Fahrt. Ab der zweiten Hälfte des Buches allerdings verbessert sich der Fluss und somit das Lesegefühl.

Nach der Lektüre bleiben einige Fragen und Logiklücken. Der Schreibstil jedoch ist flüssig und die Übersetzung durch Joachim Körber wieder einmal gelungen. Nichtsdestotrotz will das Buch nicht so richtig fesseln und einnehmen. Mister B. bleibt so ziemlich unsympathisch und nervig.
Einige gelungene Passagen, insbesondere die Schilderungen der Erlebnisse des Dämons, halten den Leser dennoch an der Leine.

[heather_brock-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I liked the idea behind this story better than the actual story itself. Definitely not Barker's best.

[altheaann · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

OK, at times it got a little gimmicky and repetitive. (There's only so many times you want to hear a narrator imploring the reader to "burn this book... now!") However, as it went on, it grew on me.
The narrator, a very minor demon from a horribly abusive family, keeps sucking you in to sympathise with him - and them reminding you that no, he really is kind of evil, when you get right down to it... but no, he's just a poor little put-upon demon!
It starts as a bildungsroman, as the young demon, Jakabok Botch, goes out into the world, has an obsessive affair with an older demon... this part of the book is good enough. But the end, with Johannes Gutenberg as an essential character, and, of course, the Great Secret of the conflict between Heaven and Hell, is excellent.
Clive Barker is always an entertaining and clever writer, and in the end, this book does not disappoint.

Also - the book itself, as a physical object, is lovely. I love it when publishers bother to put money into making a book look nice. The faux-aged pages and old-fashioned font really work.

[revslick_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Barker doing his best to channel Pratchett channelling Lewis ala Screwtape Letters. If this were any other author I would give it a three; however, I know his potential and this is not it so it gets a one.

[cebellol · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It was good. Not great, not awful, just good. I enjoyed the different perspective. It was a little annoying how the story kept being broken up by the pleas to burn the book. Otherwise I enjoyed it. I wouldn't necessairliy say it's a "must read", but if it's around, I'd definitely suggest picking it up. If nothing else, it's a quick read once you get going.

[sbloom42 · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I'm a huge Clive Barker fan, so I was excited to find a Clive Barker book at my local library which I hadn't ready yet. Unfortunately, Mister B. Gone is a huge disappointment. This reads more like his children's stories than his adult books, even though it was shelved with the adult books. The premise is very simple -- that the book contains a demon which is speaking directly to the reader -- and it grows tiresome very quickly. It didn't work as horror because, even though the book is trying to talk directly to the reader, it obviously isn't, so it just comes off as a silly fantasy. The only upsides of this book are the descriptions of Hell and its escape, though even those at times feel like reading about a child in an abusive home in the suburbs. My advice is to skip this and read The Hellbound Heart for a glimpse of the terror that Clive Barker can deliver.

[meredy_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Six-word review: Dialogue between captive demon and you.

Extended review:

I've read and enjoyed a number of Clive Barker's novels. This one didn't come up to expectations. Maybe I just found the premise--that of being addressed in the present moment by a demon who is aware of you as a reader holding the book--a bit too coy and precious. I don't much care for the one-sided conversation as a storytelling device, whether it's practiced by Clive Barker, Mohsin Hamid (The Reluctant Fundamentalist), or Albert Camus (The Fall). It requires too many phony-sounding contrived locutions of the "What's that you say? You don't believe me?" and "I'm sure you're wondering..." variety. Perhaps I'm just a hard case, but to me it wears thin after about two pages.

Moreover, this particular treatment seems to owe more than a little to Fredric Brown's classic short story "Dont Look Behind You," which, unlike this, really did chill my spine.

I'll give it points for several nice moments of X-ray vision that seem to expose the reader's self-doubt, narcissism, and innate depravity and for an interesting Great Secret, as well as for linking a considerable variety of consequences to the emergence of the printed word.

But I'm also going to deduct points for sheer sloppiness, which is as much the fault of the publisher (don't they hire proofreaders any more?) as of the author. The number of missed words, incomplete constructions, random punctuation errors, and failures of fact checking grew more irritating as time went on. Here are some examples (exact transcriptions):

====

As for the human populous, they either lay littered on the streets of the burned-out villages . . .

(page 138: should be "populace," a noun meaning "the inhabitants of a place," and not an adjective meaning "heavily populated")

====

That though the journey here had been long and that more than once I had despaired of ever discovering what purpose I served that here, under this roof, was a man who might relieve me of the soul-rotting fear that I served none at all: Johannes Gutenberg had dreamt of me.

(page 176: some punctuation needed among all those "thats")

====

"Why have you been scaring to my wife?" Gutenberg said. "She's always been easily frightened."

"I'm not imaging this!" Hannah yelled . . .

(page 202: delete stray "to"; change "imaging" to "imagining")

====

Underneath--why was I surprised--was the scaly skin that I had myself once met in the mirror, while from the base of his knobby spine a single tail, the massive, virile state of which suggesting he was a much, much older demon than he was an Archbishop.

(page 223: need a verb for the second portion of the compound sentence, probably right before the noun phrase "a single tail": emerged, swung, hung, something like that)

====

More annoying than any of these and their like were two references to Ares Grammatica that ought to have been Ars Grammatica. "Ars" means "art." "Ares" is the name of the Greek god of war. Because this occurs twice, it certainly looks like the author's error and not a copyeditor superimposing her own ignorance on someone else's work, but a proofreader ought to have checked it.

Low-level errors like these, especially in such quantity, are really inexcusable. It costs nothing in creativity or style to find and correct them--it's just a matter of attention and care. I'm being asked for my attention by the author and the publisher. They have shirked their obligation to the reader if they haven't made the necessary effort to clean up the text before they put it before an audience. Conscientious proofreading, once de rigueur for any respectable publishing house, seems to be one of many casualties of the capture of the author's keystrokes by means of electronic files--the shortcut to print that shortchanges only the reader.

They don't care if you like the book. They only care if you buy it.

I'm glad I didn't.

[marysneedle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a quick and entertaining read and a unique way to write a story.

[markesh_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A strange exhilarating read that starts with the words “Burn this book!” We learn that we are reading the thoughts and the story of Jakabok Botch, a lesser demon from Hell. Jakabok realizes that the reader won’t burn the book without hearing some of the story behind his life so he begins his tale of being raised in hell by an abusive demon of a father and a mother that wishes he was never born.

The reader follows Jakabok as he is “fished” from hell and onto Earth by a corrupt priest and how from there he finds a companion in another demon, Quitoon. The book follows their hundred year journey with frequent pleas from Jakabok known also as Mister B. to burn the book. Finally the climax of the story is reached and the reader is forced to understand that Jakabok is a presence within the book itself and that he has been telling the reader to burn the texts in the hopes of being free on the Earth once again.

A complete surprise to me as a book and an excellent ride of a journey that often left me with sweaty palms as Jakabok threatened and pleaded in every manner for me to grab a match and burn the book. I might have done it to except that I borrowed it form the library and had to return it …

[chellebearss · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This is the story of Mister B, a demon who is trapped in a book and begging the reader to burn the book and basically put him out of his misery. He tries to bribe the reader with promises of tales of his scary memories if the reader promises to burn the book when the tale is complete. When that doesn't work he starts to threaten the reader with death if they don't burn the book.
"I can't decide whether you're suicidal, mentally deficient, or both? I've warned you how close I am. You don't want my knife at your neck, do you? You want to live. Surely."

I was actually a little disappointed in this book and I think that was partially due to my own expectations. I've read a couple by Barker before and remember them to be quite freaky and rather scary. This book was entertaining and certainly had some foul descriptions, but I didn't find it overly scary.
A good read but nothing I would recommend.