05-15-12 : Archive Review: Clive Barker 'Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War' Impure Life Editor's note: Here's the review of the second book in the Abarat series by Clive Barker. Barker is a very singular fabulist. There is simply nobody who compares to him. His work tunnels through the unconscious, through our dreams and brings back stories, the likes of which we never could imagine. Purity is the enemy of entertainment. Yet it's often difficult to recognize what constitutes the impurities that make any form of fiction entertaining. A science fiction novel, for example, may be brought to life by a carefully crafted romance. A complex mystery might be sparked by a particularly clever science-fictional concept. The single element of fantasy within an otherwise ultra-realistic literary work might seem utterly unnecessary until one carefully contemplates its removal. Recent Commentary • Marika Blossfeldt Serves Up 'Essential Nutrition' : Recipe for Life • David Vann Digs Up 'Dirt' : Tragedy, Terror and Laughter • Christopher Moore Follows 'Sacré Bleu' : A Story in Color • Commentary Archive

Essential Nutrition Marika Blossfeldt Art, food, science, spirituality — and great recipes. Reviewed by Rick Kleffel Review Archive Dirt David Vann Reviewed by Rick Kleffel Sacré Bleu Christopher Moore Reviewed by Rick Kleffel When God Talks Back T. M. Luhrman Reviewed by Rick Kleffel

What is The Agony Column?

"He took down the great book in which, day by day, he filed the agony columns of the various London journals. "Dear me!" said he, turning over the pages, "what a chorus of groans, cries, and bleatings! What a rag-bag of singular happenings! But surely the most valuable hunting-ground that ever was given to a student of the unusual!"

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes, The Adventure of the Red Circle