Imajica is both vast and complex. It features wonders like the grand city of Yzorderrex and the Cradle of Chzercemit, home to the mysterious goddess of water. But there are also horrors, such as the Oviate, a void filled with foul and lost creatures like the gek-a-gek, and the Nullianacs who guard the desert covering the Unbeheld.
The novel is set across five dominions, worlds that are different from our own. Earth, the final dominion, is however unreconciled, separated from the other four. We follow John Furie Zacharias, known as Gentle. After an unfortunate event, he questions his purpose and existence. He encounters Pie O’ Pah, a mystif with an incredibly unique ability. As Gentle journeys through these dominions, he faces and endures many trials, and rediscovers his purpose. Meanwhile, Judith, or Judy, his on-and-off partner, uncovers truths about herself and the fate of all the dominions when they reconcile with Earth.
Regarded as Clive Barker’s magnum opus by fans and critics, blending both horror and dark fantasy. Like before, he explores the supernatural and otherworldly magic reminiscent of most works of fantasy. At its core, there are characters with conflicting moral dilemmas. Barker defies simplicity in them. From Gentle and Judith to many others, including the villains, they are human, embedding enough depth and nuance in their actions.
Barker never shies away from describing some of the most explicitly violent and sexual moments throughout the whole story. If this book were to be adapted all too faithfully, it would be given an NC-17 rating. It can be quite shocking depending on tolerance. But through the beautiful prose, it takes a turn where sexuality and violence can unite and conflict, regardless of gender. Barker was a master of his writing style, with words flowing naturally like an ongoing stream. There are times when the river flows too fast. It is easy to forget what happened when reading too quickly.
Difficult to absorb at times with its thought-provoking elements and religious themes. Readers will be challenged to think for themselves since there are no definitive answers. Gentle’s journey symbolizes the struggles of Christ and the conflicting nature of spiritual and religious beliefs. Many who are not too familiar with the original texts can easily see this as nothing more than a weird dark fantasy novel.
The many names to remember were complicated; whether they sounded too strange or too similar to other names, it was a challenge to keep track of a whole cast of characters. Most that you will see often, and others who you may not remember because they have appeared so briefly.
It takes a serious commitment for this one since this novel is long (roughly 900 pages long). But the reward will come if one is willing to take the journey, no matter how long it takes. There is something magical when exploring the imagination that is unlike any other while delving into such strong feelings. No other novel has given such a strong reminder of how there can be no going back when going through so many experiences in adulthood. No different than Gentle when he grew to be the man he became. In the end, he was not the same, and readers like me felt the same way when reaching the final page.
This is one conflicting journey, but one that is worth unearthing.