The Thief of Always

The Thief of Always is a 1992 novel written and illustrated by Clive Barker.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Retrieved 26 February 2022.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Retrieved 26 February 2022.</ref> The plot concerns a 10-year-old boy who journeys to a magical house, only to discover its master uses the home to attract children and steal their youth to ensure his own immortality.

Plot

10-year-old Harvey Swick is approached by a stranger named Rictus, who offers him the opportunity to stay at the magical Holiday House, founded by one Mr. Hood. Harvey accepts and accompanies Rictus there, meeting two other children, Wendell and Lulu, as well as its elderly caretaker, Mrs. Griffin, and her three cats.

At the Holiday House, all of the seasons pass by in a day, with Halloween and Thanksgiving in the evening and Christmas at night. However, Mr. Hood himself is nowhere to be found, there are mentions of a mysterious figure named Carna, the nearby lake is full of enormous, sad looking fish, and Mrs. Griffin seems to be keeping a dark secret about the house. Harvey must use his wits and clever thinking in order to escape and return home.

Reception

The Thief of Always has received positive reviews from both critics and casual readers alike. The book has an approximate 4.20 out of 5 stars on Goodreads.<ref name="pubweekly">"The Thief of Always: A Fable". Publishers Weekly. 2 November 1992.</ref><ref>"The Thief of Always". Goodreads. 18 August 2023.</ref>

Publishers Weekly described the book as "both cute and horrifying", noting its similarity to Grimm's Fairy Tales.<ref name="pubweekly" />

Kirkus Reviews described Barker's "studiously simple narration" as lacking in spirit.<ref>"The Thief of Always". Kirkus Reviews. 20 May 2010.</ref>

Adaptations

The Thief of Always was adapted as a bimonthly three-part comic book, published between January and May 2005, by IDW Publishing.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Retrieved 26 February 2022.</ref>

In the mid-90s, The Thief of Always was set to be adapted for Paramount Pictures as a $22.5 million animated musical film with music by Jerry Goldsmith and Clive Barker set to produce.<ref name="WizardBarker">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name="TToACF">Template:Cite magazine</ref> Nelvana was set to produce the animation for the film, and Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall serving as co-executive producers.<ref name= "TToACF"/> The film reportedly made it through two thirds of the storyboarding process.<ref name= "TToACF"/>

A live-action adaptation is currently in the works, scheduled to be directed by Jennifer Kent.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

External links

• Revelations – official Clive Barker website for adults: includes a full bibliography, filmography and frequently updated news
• The Beautiful Moment – the official Clive Barker website for all ages – for younger readers – features Abarat and The Thief of Always
• Portfolio - The Thief of Always – gallery of illustrations made for the book