Mister B. Gone

Mister B. Gone' is a delightful tale about a demon who was dragged up from the bowels of hell and forced to find a way to survive in a world populated by the most depraved creatures of all: humans. The young demon's name is Jakabok Botch, or as he likes to call himself, Mister B.

Not being a very powerful or clever creature, Mister B. barely survives his first encounter with Humankind. He is saved by another demon, this one posing as a high-ranking soldier charged with protecting God's servants, and the two of them travel together around the world for a couple hundred years.

One day in the year 1439, the two demons decide to travel to Mainz, Germany to see an important new invention that may be big enough to change the world. If you know you're history, you may be able to guess what they found. This invention changes Mister B's life in a way he never could have guessed.

The most noteworthy thing about this book is that it is not just a book; Mister B. Jakabok Botch is the book. And as the book, he talks to you in between and throughout the telling of his life story.

Mostly Mister B. talks about his one and only desire--for you, the reader, to burn the book. He is tired of being a book, of being imprisoned in words and pages, and so he asks you to end his life by burning it up. If you keep reading, he becomes more insistent. He begs, then he bargains, then insults you, and eventually resorts to gruesome and very detailed threats.

It's great. Mister B. is an inspired character, and uses his words well. Some of his best insults I stored in my head for later use on others. Clive Barker is never short on innovation, and this is certainly a unique way to tell a story. I'm not sure what I liked more-the actual tale, or the parts in between where Mister B. talked about how horrible and disgusting I am, along with the rest of my species. By the end, I actually wanted to burn the book out of respect for Barker's character.

Although I love the idea of having a book talk to me as I read it, 'Mister B. Gone' was actually a little short on the incredible imagination that can be found in Barker's other books. However, it does have the same amount of vivid detail, especially when it was time for the blood and gore. It was interesting how Barker incorporated some real human history into the novel, but I definitely prefer his intricate and beautifully-crafted fantasy lands to the real world.

I wouldn't say that there is anything really scary in 'Mister B. Gone,' but this horror-fantasy novel is not for the squeamish members of Humankind. Everyone else should probably grab a copy. Just use proper safety methods if you decide to burn it.