Imajica II: The Reconciliation

I love Clive Barker's work. But I feel Decieved because I have read this book before, when it was just one book. You should make this clear to your customers. I will be more careful next time. I loved the book the first time but I am not going to buy the first half again. How disappointing it was not a totally new story about the same Imajica. Or am I wrong? I don't think so.

It is hard to believe that it has been over ten years since I first read this mammoth novel- and some thirteen since it was first published. I think "mammoth" is not exaggerating, for how else do you describe a novel that exists as two separate volumes, each of over 500 pages? This isn't a casual read. It represents a considerable investment in time. There are also so many characters, settings, plot lines, specialized vocabulary and underlying principles to keep straight.... Yet, it is worth the investment in time and effort. The basic framework, like so many of Barker's other novels, is that of a hidden world behind the superficial facade of our mundane world. Barker is such a master at interweaving mundane, and profane, details into the greater fabric of his realities that you find yourself totally drawn in. I found myself totally immersed in this hidden reality. For this is a story of five worlds, or dimensions, or Dominions. These make up the whole of Imajica. That is, they should. Two hundred years ago there was an attempt to reconcile our own fifth Dominion with the other four. This ended in a metaphysical catastrophe so great that that nearly all of the Dominions great theurgists, shamans, and theologians were killed. The result was that almost all magical knowledge passed from our world and for two centuries science and materialism held grim sway. Now, conditions are once again ripe for an attempt to reconcile the Dominions. The great magus', or Maestros, know that this may very well be the last attempt to heal the rift in creation. To fail this time will undoubtedly mean two more centuries of isolation- plenty of time for the Fifth Dominion to destroy itself in nuclear or ecological suicide. Yet, to heal the rift will require a Master of such power and confidence that he will try to succeed where all those that have gone before him (even the Christos) has failed.... This isn't really the second book of Imajica, it is the second half- it was just necessary for the publisher to split it in half.

It is hard to believe that it has been over ten years since I first read this mammoth novel- and some thirteen since it was first published. I think "mammoth" is not exaggerating, for how else do you describe on novel that exists as two separate volumes, each of over 500 pages? This isn't a casual read. It represents a considerable investment in time. There are also so many characters, settings, plot lines, specialized vocabulary and underlying principles to keep straight.... Yet, it is worth the investment in time and effort.The basic framework, like so many of Barker's other novels, is that of a hidden world behind the superficial façade of our mundane world. Barker is such a master at interweaving mundane, and profane, details into the greater fabric of his realities that you find yourself totally drawn in. I found myself totally immersed in this hidden reality. For this is a story of five worlds, or dimensions, or Dominions. These make up the whole of Imajica. That is, they should. Two hundred years ago there was an attempt to reconcile our own fifth Dominion with the other four. This ended in a metaphysical catastrophe so great that that nearly all of the Dominions great theurgists, shamans, and theologians were killed. The result was that almost all magical knowledge passed from our world and for two centuries science and materialism held grim sway.Now, conditions are once again ripe for an attempt to reconcile the Dominions. The great magus', or Maestros, know that this may very well be the last attempt to heal the rift in creation. To fail this time will undoubtedly mean two more centuries of isolation- plenty of time for the Fifth Dominion to destroy itself in nuclear or ecological suicide.Yet, to heal the rift will require a Master of such power and confidence that he will try to succeed where all those that have gone before him (even the Christos) has failed....This isn't really the second book of Imajica, it is the second half- it was just necessary for the publisher to split it in half.

In this, the second half of Imajica, we find Gentle venturing to see the First Dominion, where the fabled Happexamendios (God), is supposed to reside. Wonderfully odd perspective on men, the way they think, and the psychology of a god created and worshipped by men. Such fresh ideas could only come from someone outside looking in, as Clive Barker is a classic example. (Intended as a compliment.)

This book is a tidle wave of experiences and emotions! I did not think Clive could top his efforts in Weaveworld, but I was sorely mistaken. He takes the reader through radically different worlds in this piece of work. Join Gentle (John Furie Zacharias) as he travels through the five different dominions and challenges himself to reconcile them all into one. Only he has the power and the drive to complete this monumental task. I have read this book (the ONE BOOK version) several times. Each time it gets a bit better. Between Jude, Gentle, Pie-O-Pah and Dowd, the action never stops! How many of you have been to another dominion? You may never know if you don't read this book..