What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hellraiser Chronicles
In 1987, writer/director Clive Barker unleashed Hellraiser, an instant classic which changed the face of horror cinema forever. The Cenobites soon returned, and their leader, the chilling Pinhead (played by Doug Bradley), became an worldwide icon.The Hellraiser Chronicles is a beautifully produced, full colour photographic companion to Hellraiser, Hellbound: Hellraiser II and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth. It features stunning, specially shot portrait photography unavailable elsewhere, plus script extracts, design sketches, behind-the-scenes stills and interviews. The only official Hellraiser book, it is a must for all fans of the series.Time to play"
96 pages, Paperback
First published May 21, 2004
275 people want to read
About the author
Clive Barker
704 books15.1k followersClive Barker was born in Liverpool, England, the son of Joan Rubie (née Revill), a painter and school welfare officer, and Leonard Barker, a personnel director for an industrial relations firm. Educated at Dovedale Primary School and Quarry Bank High School, he studied English and Philosophy at Liverpool University and his picture now hangs in the entrance hallway to the Philosophy Department. It was in Liverpool in 1975 that he met his first partner, John Gregson, with whom he lived until 1986. Barker's second long-term relationship, with photographer David Armstrong, ended in 2009.
In 2003, Clive Barker received The Davidson/Valentini Award at the 15th GLAAD Media Awards. This award is presented "to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individual who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for any of those communities". While Barker is critical of organized religion, he has stated that he is a believer in both God and the afterlife, and that the Bible influences his work.
Fans have noticed of late that Barker's voice has become gravelly and coarse. He says in a December 2008 online interview that this is due to polyps in his throat which were so severe that a doctor told him he was taking in ten percent of the air he was supposed to have been getting. He has had two surgeries to remove them and believes his resultant voice is an improvement over how it was prior to the surgeries. He said he did not have cancer and has given up cigars. On August 27, 2010, Barker underwent surgery yet again to remove new polyp growths from his throat. In early February 2012 Barker fell into a coma after a dentist visit led to blood poisoning. Barker remained in a coma for eleven days but eventually came out of it. Fans were notified on his Twitter page about some of the experience and that Barker was recovering after the ordeal, but left with many strange visions.
Barker is one of the leading authors of contemporary horror/fantasy, writing in the horror genre early in his career, mostly in the form of short stories (collected in Books of Blood 1 – 6), and the Faustian novel The Damnation Game (1985). Later he moved towards modern-day fantasy and urban fantasy with horror elements in Weaveworld (1987), The Great and Secret Show (1989), the world-spanning Imajica (1991) and Sacrament (1996), bringing in the deeper, richer concepts of reality, the nature of the mind and dreams, and the power of words and memories.
Barker has a keen interest in movie production, although his films have received mixed receptions. He wrote the screenplays for Underworld (aka Transmutations – 1985) and Rawhead Rex (1986), both directed by George Pavlou. Displeased by how his material was handled, he moved to directing with Hellraiser (1987), based on his novella The Hellbound Heart. His early movies, the shorts The Forbidden and Salome, are experimental art movies with surrealist elements, which have been re-released together to moderate critical acclaim. After his film Nightbreed (Cabal), which was widely considered to be a flop, Barker returned to write and direct Lord of Illusions. Barker was an executive producer of the film Gods and Monsters, which received major critical acclaim.
Barker is a prolific visual artist working in a variety of media, often illustrating his own books. His paintings have been seen first on the covers of his official fan club magazine, Dread, published by Fantaco in the early Nineties, as well on the covers of the collections of his plays, Incarnations (1995) and Forms of Heaven (1996), as well as on the second printing of the original UK publications of his Books of Blood series.
A longtime comics fan, Barker achieved his dream of publishing his own superhero books when Marvel Comics launched the Razorline imprint in 1993. Based on detailed premises, titles and lead characters he created specifically for this, the four interrelated titles — set outside the Marvel universe — were Ectokid,
In 2003, Clive Barker received The Davidson/Valentini Award at the 15th GLAAD Media Awards. This award is presented "to an openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender individual who has made a significant difference in promoting equal rights for any of those communities". While Barker is critical of organized religion, he has stated that he is a believer in both God and the afterlife, and that the Bible influences his work.
Fans have noticed of late that Barker's voice has become gravelly and coarse. He says in a December 2008 online interview that this is due to polyps in his throat which were so severe that a doctor told him he was taking in ten percent of the air he was supposed to have been getting. He has had two surgeries to remove them and believes his resultant voice is an improvement over how it was prior to the surgeries. He said he did not have cancer and has given up cigars. On August 27, 2010, Barker underwent surgery yet again to remove new polyp growths from his throat. In early February 2012 Barker fell into a coma after a dentist visit led to blood poisoning. Barker remained in a coma for eleven days but eventually came out of it. Fans were notified on his Twitter page about some of the experience and that Barker was recovering after the ordeal, but left with many strange visions.
Barker is one of the leading authors of contemporary horror/fantasy, writing in the horror genre early in his career, mostly in the form of short stories (collected in Books of Blood 1 – 6), and the Faustian novel The Damnation Game (1985). Later he moved towards modern-day fantasy and urban fantasy with horror elements in Weaveworld (1987), The Great and Secret Show (1989), the world-spanning Imajica (1991) and Sacrament (1996), bringing in the deeper, richer concepts of reality, the nature of the mind and dreams, and the power of words and memories.
Barker has a keen interest in movie production, although his films have received mixed receptions. He wrote the screenplays for Underworld (aka Transmutations – 1985) and Rawhead Rex (1986), both directed by George Pavlou. Displeased by how his material was handled, he moved to directing with Hellraiser (1987), based on his novella The Hellbound Heart. His early movies, the shorts The Forbidden and Salome, are experimental art movies with surrealist elements, which have been re-released together to moderate critical acclaim. After his film Nightbreed (Cabal), which was widely considered to be a flop, Barker returned to write and direct Lord of Illusions. Barker was an executive producer of the film Gods and Monsters, which received major critical acclaim.
Barker is a prolific visual artist working in a variety of media, often illustrating his own books. His paintings have been seen first on the covers of his official fan club magazine, Dread, published by Fantaco in the early Nineties, as well on the covers of the collections of his plays, Incarnations (1995) and Forms of Heaven (1996), as well as on the second printing of the original UK publications of his Books of Blood series.
A longtime comics fan, Barker achieved his dream of publishing his own superhero books when Marvel Comics launched the Razorline imprint in 1993. Based on detailed premises, titles and lead characters he created specifically for this, the four interrelated titles — set outside the Marvel universe — were Ectokid,
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 28, 2022
Clive Barker one of my favourite authors & the creator of Pinhead & Candyman released his creation Hellraiser in 1987 (the year I was born so I was destined to be a horror fan!)
I was lucky enough to find this book randomly on Etsy, I am very happy that it was available and I didn't know that the book was signed by Clive Barker until I started reading the book, so it made me very happy.
Pinhead is on of my favourite iconic characters
(I know Clive Barker refers to Pinhead as "The Black Pope of Hell" or the "Angel of Suffering" but he is otherwise known as Pinhead worldwide now)
I love the artwork, photographs, posters that are used in this book, I'm also very happy that the book is Signed by Clive Barker since I am a big fan of him and his artwork, short stories and films.
Pinhead, the Cenobites are very iconic, recognizable worldwide and they have a lot of fans.
I have always loved the sadomasochistic, gothic, demonic aesthetic that the cenobites have it is very unique and interesting.
I'm curious if the Cenobites would be considered to be interdimensional demons and if Pinhead would rule the realm that the Cenobites exist in or come from when they are summoned with the lament configuration box/puzzle.
In my opinion Pinhead & the Cenobites are either a necessary evil or neutral, in their approach to humanity since Pinhead is considered to be "a angel to some & a demon to others" he is similar to Lucifer. Loved, hated & feared.
The Cenobites represent all your darkest fantasies, dreams, secret desires that you have but would never admit to. They embrace pain, suffering, they endure & enjoy their on pain and suffering and the pain and suffering of others, to enable to metamorphosize themselves and transcend their human limitations to become something more, beyond just being a mere human, and mortal.
It's about enduring pain, suffering to transform, to be reborn, restored, made whole again, so they would be limitless as a human or as a Cenobite, the dream world/nightmare world of humanity has no limit of possibilities for suffering for the Cenobites.
They know what you desire, what you secretly want, what you fear.
The Cenobites are very similar to demons.
As a person that is a submissive, masochist, I can relate to this a lot.
Doug Bradley is one of my favourite actors, I like his narration for horror stories known as Spinechillers.
I wish he would record some more of them and read work written by Edgar Allan Poe or H.P. Lovecraft.
I always loved the dark, nightmarish realm that the Cenobites exist in, i'm not sure if it represents a aspect of Hell but it is very interesting to me.
This was a interesting book to read about the first three Hellraiser films, being made in the series of Hellraiser films and about the creation of Pinhead & the Cenobites by Clive Barker & portrayed by Doug Bradley in the films.
I still want to know more about the female Cenobites, if the Cenobites are immortal or considered to be a demonic Deities/Gods in their realm.
Like a lot of fans of the Hellraiser series I have various questions about Pinhead & the Cenobites. There are various graphic novels which I sadly haven't had the chance to read because they are very rare or hard to find now, but I have read The Hellbound Heart, which I liked and read in one day.
Hopefully more books about the Hellraiser films will be published about the making of the films, the creation of more male & female Cenobites in the future.
I would love to read the Hellraiser graphic novels, I wish they were reprinted and sold in a updated collection in hardcover that would great.
I was lucky enough to find this book randomly on Etsy, I am very happy that it was available and I didn't know that the book was signed by Clive Barker until I started reading the book, so it made me very happy.
Pinhead is on of my favourite iconic characters
(I know Clive Barker refers to Pinhead as "The Black Pope of Hell" or the "Angel of Suffering" but he is otherwise known as Pinhead worldwide now)
I love the artwork, photographs, posters that are used in this book, I'm also very happy that the book is Signed by Clive Barker since I am a big fan of him and his artwork, short stories and films.
Pinhead, the Cenobites are very iconic, recognizable worldwide and they have a lot of fans.
I have always loved the sadomasochistic, gothic, demonic aesthetic that the cenobites have it is very unique and interesting.
I'm curious if the Cenobites would be considered to be interdimensional demons and if Pinhead would rule the realm that the Cenobites exist in or come from when they are summoned with the lament configuration box/puzzle.
In my opinion Pinhead & the Cenobites are either a necessary evil or neutral, in their approach to humanity since Pinhead is considered to be "a angel to some & a demon to others" he is similar to Lucifer. Loved, hated & feared.
The Cenobites represent all your darkest fantasies, dreams, secret desires that you have but would never admit to. They embrace pain, suffering, they endure & enjoy their on pain and suffering and the pain and suffering of others, to enable to metamorphosize themselves and transcend their human limitations to become something more, beyond just being a mere human, and mortal.
It's about enduring pain, suffering to transform, to be reborn, restored, made whole again, so they would be limitless as a human or as a Cenobite, the dream world/nightmare world of humanity has no limit of possibilities for suffering for the Cenobites.
They know what you desire, what you secretly want, what you fear.
The Cenobites are very similar to demons.
As a person that is a submissive, masochist, I can relate to this a lot.
Doug Bradley is one of my favourite actors, I like his narration for horror stories known as Spinechillers.
I wish he would record some more of them and read work written by Edgar Allan Poe or H.P. Lovecraft.
I always loved the dark, nightmarish realm that the Cenobites exist in, i'm not sure if it represents a aspect of Hell but it is very interesting to me.
This was a interesting book to read about the first three Hellraiser films, being made in the series of Hellraiser films and about the creation of Pinhead & the Cenobites by Clive Barker & portrayed by Doug Bradley in the films.
I still want to know more about the female Cenobites, if the Cenobites are immortal or considered to be a demonic Deities/Gods in their realm.
Like a lot of fans of the Hellraiser series I have various questions about Pinhead & the Cenobites. There are various graphic novels which I sadly haven't had the chance to read because they are very rare or hard to find now, but I have read The Hellbound Heart, which I liked and read in one day.
Hopefully more books about the Hellraiser films will be published about the making of the films, the creation of more male & female Cenobites in the future.
I would love to read the Hellraiser graphic novels, I wish they were reprinted and sold in a updated collection in hardcover that would great.
November 25, 2019
The rating here is primarily tied to Barker’s essay in the introduction more than anything else. As other reviewers note, this is primarily a showcase of characters from the first three movies. Consequently the book reads largely as marketing for the third Hellraiser film. As a Hellraiser scholar, this book is an interesting artifact of the time- for example, there is a section dedicated to hyping up how part 3 would be far superior to any previous entry in the Hellraiser series (ha)- but this could also be a potentially disappointing read there is not much substantive here. Most of this book is quotes and snapshots from the films, although some space is dedicated to concept art and behind the scenes photographs.
February 19, 2022
It is always interesting to see a perspective from quite some time ago, when the franchise has moved on so significantly. I wonder what the creators of the first three Hellraiser movies would think of the 9-film final crop [EDIT: There's 10 of them?!], as well as the new one coming up on Hulu. Having watched the nine films, with Revelations being the first that did not feature Doug Bradley, I assume they can't be to happy. Revelations, especially, was steaming garbage.
However, this is still back in 2004, when there was still a shared vision that made Hellraiser the cult legend it is today. The cast, producer and make-up team insights are great, the photos and sketches amazing to look at.
I had a great trip down memory lane with this book.
However, this is still back in 2004, when there was still a shared vision that made Hellraiser the cult legend it is today. The cast, producer and make-up team insights are great, the photos and sketches amazing to look at.
I had a great trip down memory lane with this book.
May 9, 2024
Definitive book on Hellraiser and its sequels. Great movie stills, posters of the movies, the actors, the Cenobites, how the monsters were created, the story behind. Ultimate stuff in colour. I remember when the movie was released in 1987. We were quite scared about those guys and asked ourselves what was going on here. Highly recommended!
April 3, 2022
Short read detailing plot from the first three movies and goes into some depth over the make up concepts etc. Literally finished in less than an hour but interesting.
July 27, 2014
This is an interesting if limited book - ok before I am harassed for saying limited I will explain. the book only covers off 1 to 3 where by now there are in fact 9 of them - now I will admit I have only seen the first film and of course read the short story it was based upon, so film wise I cannot comment but still this book only cover off the first 3 films - see limited was justified.
Any why the praise - Clive Barker has always been a visual writer - from his artwork he includes in his books, to his non-fiction books on stage craft to his input in to computer game imagery (and no doubt more that I have not mentioned here) he has always visualised what he wants and then transferred them to words, sometimes I feel as an after thought. Now I am sure I am wrong but that is the impression I get when sometimes his stories may seem a little weak but the imagery he invokes for them are some of the strongest I have read in this style of horror.
So this book really is a showcase of the characters from the films - mainly the cenobites - in all their gory glory - even with this films as old as they are (Hellraiser was 1987!!) the makeup and prosthetics are amazing and just more than a little disturbing. Clive Barker is many things and I am sure there are still a good few surprises left in him.
Any why the praise - Clive Barker has always been a visual writer - from his artwork he includes in his books, to his non-fiction books on stage craft to his input in to computer game imagery (and no doubt more that I have not mentioned here) he has always visualised what he wants and then transferred them to words, sometimes I feel as an after thought. Now I am sure I am wrong but that is the impression I get when sometimes his stories may seem a little weak but the imagery he invokes for them are some of the strongest I have read in this style of horror.
So this book really is a showcase of the characters from the films - mainly the cenobites - in all their gory glory - even with this films as old as they are (Hellraiser was 1987!!) the makeup and prosthetics are amazing and just more than a little disturbing. Clive Barker is many things and I am sure there are still a good few surprises left in him.
November 14, 2008
a friend in high school (10th grade, I think) let me borrow this book---or one of the Hellraiser books. I hadn't then and still haven't seen the movie. The book was weird, and kinda gross and disturbing and not very entertaining. But I finished it so I guess it wasn't too bad? Don't remember it too much.
April 10, 2012
J'ai lu la traduction française - enfin je ne sais pas si c'est vraiment de la traduction tellement c'était bourré de fautes et incompréhensible parfois dans les dialogues. Sinon j'ai beaucoup aimé l'idée de suivre Kristy des années après, et aussi le concept qui tourne autour des autres jouets, que l'on transmet à d'autres personnes. Lecture en demi teinte donc.
June 5, 2016
Excellent little book focusing on the first 3 films!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews