Midian Unmade – Book Review

by | Apr 18, 2016 | Book Reviews, Reviews | 0 comments

519nB2NCyOL._SX328_BO1,204,203,200_Midian Unmade
Edited by Del Howison & Joseph Nassise
Tor Books
July 28, 2015
Reviewed by Jess Landry

When talented authors come together to celebrate the work of the best of the best, good things are bound to happen. Midian Unmade is a fine ode to Clive Barker and his novella Cabal (or Nightbreed, the title of its 1990’s film adaptation), and an essential read for any fan of Barker’s.

For those unfamiliar with Cabal and/or Nightbreed, here’s the jist: there’s an underground world way up yonder in ass-hat-nowhere Alberta called Midian, a world where monsters live undisturbed by humankind. That is, until a character named Boone shows up. His arrival sets a prophecy in motion, and the inhabitants of Midian find themselves in a battle for their home against a group of parents-just-don’t-understand-type humans. Spoiler: Midian falls and those who survive the attack scatter, waiting for Boone to find them a new home in the shadows.

With that wide open ending, the possibilities for adventures based on Cabal would seem endless. And with that in mind, enter the tales of Midian Unmade.

Most of the stories in this collection from Tor follow the monsters after the fall of their home, allowing the reader to become lost in the confusion and uneasiness as they try to adapt to the human world. Some authors hit the nail on head, emulating the tone of Cabal while adding their own voice to their stories. One such is “The Moon Inside” by Seanan McGuire, which follows Babette (a character from the novella) in her teenage years, and is a wonderful tribute to Barker’s original story, where the monsters are not necessarily the evil ones.

The “don’t judge a book by its cover” message is the heart and soul of Cabal, and is certainly part of the appeal that has made Nightbreed a cult classic. This theme rings true in basically all of Barker’s works, along with his bold themes of sexuality. While two or three stories in Midian Unmade dare to tackle the sexuality taboo a little (yet nowhere near a Barker-esque level), most steer clear of it and focus on other elements, which is perfectly fine. We find the monsters in very real situations, some scared and lonely, others revelling in their newfound freedom. It’s easy to relate to most of the monsters in this collection because there’s a strong possibility that at one point or another, we’ve felt the same way they do – like outcasts trying to find our way, possibly under the guidance of a god (false or not). Midian is where the monsters went, and the monsters are just like you and I.

The fantastical and horrific worlds of Clive Barker deserve way more praise than they usually receive, so any ode to the writer, painter, and director are very welcomed. Midian Unmade is a wonderful homage to a beautiful novella, and is worth the read whether you’re a fan of Barker’s or not.

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