535 : Book Club of Blood – The Inhuman Condition
In Episode 535, Ryan and Jose are joined by David Blair for another Book Club of Blood episode. This time, we cover Volume 4’s “The Inhuman Condition”.
This is the Clive Barker Podcast, where long-time fans Ryan and Jose interview guests, bring you the news, and take deep dives into Barker-related stuff. This episode will be available in Podcast Audio and Youtube Video.
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Book Club of Blood Discussion:
- Books. Of Blood Vol. 4 | The Inhuman Condition
Show Notes
Coming Next
- Clive’s Contemporary Commentaries : 1987 (Angel Heart)
- Clive’s Contemporaries 1988 – Please Vote
- More News and Interviews
- Book Club of Blood : Revelations
Patreon Members Shout-Out (Become a Patron)
- David Anderson
- Erik Van T’ Holt
- Daniel Elven
- Amanda Stewart
- Bradley Gartz
- Markus
- David Blair
- Matthew Batten
- Bennett
- Jesse
- Timothy Ramakers
- Terry Murdock
- John-John
- Ichtyandros (new)
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- Sponsor : The Now Playing Podcast
- Sponsor: Ed Martinez YouTube Channel Renewed
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AI Recap
AI Recap
The Clive Barker Podcast episode 535 was a Book Club of Blood discussion focused on “The Inhuman Condition” from Books of Blood Volume 4. Ryan, Jose, and David analyzed the story’s themes, characters, and connections to other Barker works, especially its similarities to Hellraiser. They discussed the narrative of a group of young thugs who steal a magical knotted cord from a transient, leading to the release of three creatures representing evolutionary stages. The trio explored the story’s themes of evolution, hidden knowledge, and the transformative power of magic. They also touched on potential adaptations, the evolution of special effects, and the podcast’s Patreon supporters. The episode concluded with a preview of upcoming content, including a commentary on Angel Heart and a future discussion on Pinhead sketches by Clive Barker.
Book Discussion on Development Stages
Jose and Ryan discussed a book they were reading, with Jose mentioning insights about human fetal development stages. Ryan revealed he had studied medieval philosophy rather than evolutionary topics in school, which explained his lack of knowledge about the developmental stages Jose referenced. The conversation ended abruptly as Jose mentioned something from a previous episode.
Religious Philosophy and Media Discussion
Jose and Ryan discussed the Manichaeans, a religious philosophy that viewed the devil as an equal and opposite force to God. They also talked about beer from a local brewery and the challenges of being on camera for non-native English speakers. The conversation then shifted to the topic of dubbing versus subtitles in foreign films, particularly in Japanese movies, and the role of Laserdiscs in providing region-free and undubbed content.
Book Club of Blood Episode
The group discussed various topics including vintage movie formats, gaming collectibles, and comic book adaptations before transitioning into a Book Club of Blood episode. Jose shared his recent viewing of “The Return” and “Jason and the Argonauts,” while Ryan and wnbla discussed special effects in classic films. The conversation ended with Ryan confirming this was another Book Club of Blood episode focused on a specific volume.
Clive Barker’s “Inhuman Condition” Analysis
The group discussed Clive Barker’s “Inhuman Condition” from Volume 4 of the Books of Blood, comparing it to the more famous Hellraiser story. They analyzed the characters and plot, particularly focusing on how the knots found their owner Carney and the creatures released from them. The discussion covered themes of hidden power in seemingly ordinary people and parallel worlds accessible through objects like the knots. The conversation also touched on how Barker often writes about magicians who appear ordinary but possess hidden abilities.
Evolution Theme Plot Review
Jose discussed the evolution theme in the story, involving reptilian, simian, and human-like creatures. The group reviewed plot details about Carney finding a knot in Red’s hand and Brendan’s call to the wrecking yard. They described the final confrontation scene where Pope captures Brendan using a knot, and Carney must work to free him while hiding from Pope’s attack.
Pope Carney Story Adaptation Discussion
The group discussed a story involving Pope, Carney, and a magical knot that contains a creature representing Pope’s brother. They explored how the story could be adapted into a movie or TV show, noting it would need additional content beyond the original narrative. The discussion revealed key plot points including how Pope’s brother was transformed through evolutionary stages captured in knots, and how Carney discovers Pope’s spell book at the end. The conversation also touched on how Pope represents the Church’s role in hiding knowledge about evolution.
Anatomical Challenges and Story Development
The group discussed the historical challenges anatomists faced working in secret due to religious opposition, with Jose explaining how anatomical knowledge was considered sinful. Ryan shared a personal experience of feeling uncomfortable during a college health class when learning about the circulatory system, which led to a broader discussion about the human body being “a bag of bones” and “a flesh machine.” The conversation then shifted to discussing potential storylines for a character named Carney, including possibilities of him becoming a powerful magician or CEO, and ended with a suggestion about creating an animated series based on Clive Barker’s Books of Blood anthology.





















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