SOLVED. A rug was an alternate reality [s]

[Betty]

I remember reading a book years ago, the details are very fuzzy, but I do remember a rug and this rug was some sort of alternate reality, and the hero of the book went into this rug and things were very strange. Please help me figure out what book this is. Thank you.

[Laura]

Sounds like one of Piers Anthony's Xanth novels. Let me check and see if I can come up with a title.

[Laura]

Could it be Castle Roogna?

[Sue]

There's "The Carpet People" by Terry Pratchett, but it's a self-contained world-no-one from outside enters it.
There is magic in every carpet. Cities and villages exist right under your feet and the people who live in them are so small that each tuft of wool stretches high above them like giant trees. A grain of sugar which has somehow found its way into the world of the carpet people, becomes a favourite mountain for the carpet animals where they go as often as possible. Dust plants make up a wonderful vegetation, and the world of the carpet people is as real to them as the earth is to us.

But there are also creatures who live in the underlay; they appear to be allies of that terrible and powerful Fray who lives above the carpet. Whenever he passes above, he leaves destruction behind him in the world of the carpet people, and the creatures of the underlay try to take advantage of them.

This is the story of Snibril and Glurk, the leaders of the carpet people and how they finally defeat the servants of Fray. It is fullof magic battles and the day to day struggle of the brave and ingenious carpet people.

[Krazykiwi]

Possibly Weaveworld by Clive Barker.

The Fugue is a magical land inhabited by descendants of supernatural beings who once shared the earth with humans. The Fugue has been woven into a carpet for protection against those who would destroy it; the death of its guardian occasions a battle between good and particularly repulsive evil forces for control of the Fugue.

[Sue]

I haven't read the other books mentioned, but I have read Weaveworld and this sounds very much like it. Great book by the way.

[Betty]

Krazykiwi wrote: "Possibly Weaveworld by Clive Barker.

The Fugue is a magical land inhabited by descendants of supernatural beings who once shared the earth with humans. The Fugue has been woven into ..."

THIS IS THE ONE! Thank you SO much! I was originally thinking Stephen King, but knew that couldn't be it. Yes, Weaveworld!

[Krazykiwi]

Well, Stephen King isn't a million miles away from Clive Barker, since they both write mostly horror! Glad it's this book, this and Imajica are my two favourite Barker Books, and now I'm all inspired to go re-read it.

[Betty]

Krazykiwi wrote: "Well, Stephen King isn't a million miles away from Clive Barker, since they both write mostly horror! Glad it's this book, this and Imajica are my two favourite Barker Books, and now I'm all inspir..."

You're SO right! Thanks so much, again, for your help! I had borrowed Weaveworld from a coworker years ago, so I don't own it, but I'm planning on buying it and reading it again. It was such a great book!