The house of the vanished years
The house of the vanished years (original title The Thief of Always ) is a fantasy novel published in 1992 by the English writer Clive Barker . It is his first book for children and teenagers.
action
Ten year old Harvey Swick is almost bored to death and wants excitement and adventure.
One day he meets the mysterious Rictus, who tells him about Mr. Hood's holiday home for children.
Harvey cannot resist the tempting offer and accompanies Rictus. Rictus leads Harvey through a wall of smoke and the two arrive at the cottage. Harvey realizes that Mr. Hood's vacation home is a place full of wonders because the home fulfills every need. The morning is spring, noon is summer, the evening is autumn (with a Halloween festival) and at night is winter (with a Christmas festival ). Harvey is happy about these miracles and finds playmates in the children Lulu and Wendell. When they're hungry, nice old Mrs. Griffin will cook them whatever they want. But then Harvey has the feeling that he is more of a prisoner than a guest and wants to go home. Harvey tries to escape, and a life-and-death struggle begins.
criticism
“ If you're looking for horror stories whose literary quality is said to be higher than trivial products - here's one. “ Süddeutsche Zeitung
expenditure
- Clive Barker: The Thief of Always . New edition HarperTrophy, New York 2002, ISBN 0-06-440994-5 .
- Clive Barker: The House of the Gone Years. Roman ("The Thief of Always"). Heyne, Munich 1998, ISBN 3-453-13100-2 .
Adaptations
- Clive Barker, Kris Oprisko, Gabriel Hernandez: The Thief of Time ("The Thief of Always"). Egmont VG, Cologne 2007, ISBN 978-3-7704-3058-1 ( graphic novel ).
- Clive Barker: The Thief of Always . HarperCollins, London 1992 (2 cassettes, read by John Glover ).