Editorial Review
From master storyteller Clive Barker comes an epic tale of myth, magic, and forbidden passion—complete with new illustrations and a new Appendix.
Imajica is an epic beyond compare: vast in conception, obsessively detailed in execution, and apocalyptic in its resolution. At its heart lies the sensualist and master art forger, Gentle, whose life unravels when he encounters Judith Odell, whose power to influence the destinies of men is vaster than she knows, and Pie 'oh' pah, an alien assassin who comes from a hidden dimension.
That dimension is one of five in the great system called Imajica. They are worlds that are utterly unlike our own, but are ruled, peopled, and haunted by species whose lives are intricately connected with ours. As Gentle, Judith, and Pie 'oh' pah travel the Imajica, they uncover a trail of crimes and intimate betrayals, leading them to a revelation so startling that it changes reality forever.
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Customer Reviews
Imajica 
2007-02-08
This is by far my all time favorite novel. From the first time I read it in 1993 and I am actually reading it again now which is probably like number 20 or 25.
Clive Barker is one of the most versatile writers that I have seen. He can write some of the most erotic stories (Gallilee), some of the most terrifying (Hellbound Heart, Books of Blood) and even go to writing some older children to early teen types of stories (Abarat and Thief of Always).
This book is huge just in story, characters and places. The use of magic was perfect it was not over the top nor under-done. The characters were magnificent. The descriptions of the different dominions was so well done that I could picture the locations in my minds-eye as I was reading this.
I highly recommend this book if you are into sci-fi, fantasy, horror or just looking for something a little different to read. And I think that someone should try to find a way to make this into a movie even if it is an animated type of film.
Imajica 2007-01-19
Imagica is one of my favorite novels. It's a modern messiah myth that goes beyond all expectations.
Barker Starts To Repeat Himself: Still Exotic & Resourceful As Always 
2006-03-22
Having read everything Clive Barker has written, with the exception of his plays, I had a hard time getting through Imajica. I have had the hardcover version since it came out so long ago and I must have picked it up over the years about a dozen times. Weird. I'm usually not one for leaving a book unfinished once it's started, but something about Imajica made it impossible for me to hold on to the story and stay interested. All these years later I finally sat down and read the damn thing all the way through and I gotta tell you, I'm still not impressed. A long, drawn out book with a lot of exotic Clive Barker creations running around, but this is hardly his best effort. Give me The Damnation Game or The Books Of Blood or The Inhuman Condition any ol day of the week. It's not that Imajica is not masterfully written, it's not that Clive is not inventive, it's just too long and too weird in places and dragging in others. We've been privy to Barker's creature before in many of his other stories and in Imajica, they just wear too thin. Bummer. I reccommend Barker to anyone with a stout heart and an open mind, but Imajica is not at the top of the list of reccommendations.
Deal with it!
Great imagination with nothing to do with it. 
2005-08-03
Let me start by saying that this book is not for everyone. Now that might sound obvious, but its true. It has a very otherwordly feel to it and Barker paints a picture of the five dominions very well. Yet, he doesnt do much with them. Its like having a photo album buried in the ground. The pictures might be good, but they are still in the ground doing nothing. He makes this unique world and people, but it seems to me they all meander around aimlessly without a clear purpose. Ok, they going to reconcile the dominions or are they? It seems to be longwinded for the sake of it. The plot seems to introduce new things all the time that just come and go. Nothing wrong with the writing, just a little boring. I like the Damnation game way more
The Imajica is a Circle... 2005-07-09
That is one of the many lines from this amazing book that I couln't get out of my head after reading it. This was over 10 years ago! Knowing full well that these amazing worlds are products of Mr. Barker's (very) active imagination, this book left me thinking "what if?"
With this book, Clive Barker took his reoccuring theme of "worlds within worlds" to a new level, and leaves the reader with vivid images of possibilities beyond belief.
Barker's best work 2008-06-11
I own most of Clive Barker's work, this one is by far my favorite, and the one I most often loaned out. It seemed like the Lord of the Rings of horror books, styled similarly to Weaveworld. It's not for everyone and does take some time to get through, but worth every second invested. I'll be buying another copy since mine got lost on a loan ;(
830 pages of nothing 
2007-08-06
I like Clive Barker even though he veers from great to great stinker. The Imajica characters act in unimaginable ways. They seem driven by an unrealistic soul that is impractical and childish. The plot is driven by the characters' need for drama when none is needed. They become tedious and fastidious. The book is melodramatic and everyone is a drama queen looking for attention.
Gorgeous! 2007-06-19
This book made me want to start reading again. Don't be turned off by the length of this book, it is so epically beautiful and magical that it is a true page turner. I fell in love with the main characters Gentle and Pie-oh-pah. I didn't want the book to end. The only exposure I had to Clive Barker before this book was watching Hellraiser. After reading this book I am now hooked and I'm going to check out Thief of Always next.
The writing style is definitely British, but not pretentious. The fantasy aspect is dark and twisted and I really bought in to the five dominion premise. I really love books that create their own mythology like this one. I can't recommend this book enough, I can't believe how long it took me to discover this treasure!
Imajica - A feast for the senses 2007-04-23
Having read almost everything that Clive Barker has written thus far, I will admit that Imajica contains many elements that seem to echo in several of his books; Weaveworld,The Great and Secret Show/Everville,and most recently the Abarat series. However, this does not detract in any way from the intricately woven story of Imajica. In fact, I think it is in this book that the author finally finds the scope to perfect the "genre" that can only be described as Clive Barker - the mix of the mundane, the fantastical, the horrific and the surreal, blended seamlessly together to create a captivating story that resonates within the soul of the reader. Imajica isn't the easiest to read for many people, mainly because there are so many characters and sub-plots intertwined that it is easy for the reader to lose sight of the story's core and get lost in the minutiae. But I promise you that if you go into the book with an open mind and without preconcieved notions of what a "Clive Barker" novel should be like, you will be rewarded with a most excellent reading experience. I have read the book at least 3 times now and each time find a new gem hidden in plain sight, and have discovered new levels of depth with each reading. It is fantasy, horror, philosophy, theology, theosophy all rolled into one, and John "Gentle" Furie Zacharias is one of the most memorable characters in Barker's worlds.
I take issue with those people who complain about the book being "aimless" or "meandering" - as in any story, there is a time for action and a time for reflection. If you are the type of reader who needs the action to be non-stop and in your face in order to keep your attention, you may be missing many opportunities to discover a truly magical and engaging reading experience. Give it the chance it deserves!!
Fantastic Imagination at Work 
2007-03-01
Although Imajica is a tome of a novel, the story itself is as good as almost any I have ever read. With magnificent settings and all sorts of bizarre creatures, it was definitely an enjoyable read. Clive Barker does tend to play up a theme of love and libido quite a bit too much for my liking, which at times I thought took away from some of the story.
This edition comes with a glossary of pictures and sketches in the back which added a bit more culture and mystery to its story. I also noticed a similarity between this novel and Roger Zelazny's Amber series, which is another enormous epic written about 15 years prior to Imajica and probably a good bet if you are looking for a similar style of story.
Good for any age-group I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and am definitely interested in reading more by Barker in the future.
