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The Christian Trilogy #3
All the Bells on Earth
The author of the award-winning ghost story Night Relics spins a chilling tale of greed and the powers of darkness in which tanned, laid-back Californians come under the influence of black magic.
376 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 1995
17 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
About the author
James P. Blaylock
112 books283 followersJames Paul Blaylock is an American fantasy author. He is noted for his distinctive style. He writes in a humorous way: His characters never walk, they clump along, or when someone complains (in a flying machine) that flight is impossible, the other characters agree and show him why he's right.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
He was born in Long Beach, California; studied English at California State University, Fullerton, receiving an M.A. in 1974; and lives in Orange, California, teaching creative writing at Chapman University. Many of his books are set in Orange County, California, and can more specifically be termed "fabulism" — that is, fantastic things happen in our present-day world, rather than in traditional fantasy, where the setting is often some other world. His works have also been categorized as magic realism.
He and his friends Tim Powers and K.W. Jeter were mentored by Philip K. Dick. Along with Powers he invented the poet William Ashbless. Blaylock and Powers have often collaborated with each other on writing stories, including The Better Boy, On Pirates, and The William Ashbless Memorial Cookbook.
Blaylock is also currently director of the Creative Writing Conservatory at the Orange County High School of the Arts, where Powers is Writer in Residence.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 5, 2011
I loved this story. It has similarities to The Last Coin and the Paper Grail, but I think Blaylock has made the protagonist more human than in his past novels. There is a wonderful and hilarious passage in which the protagonist is ordering exotic and mythical items by phone and is trying to ascertain how authentic they are. The conversation that ensues is a gem, like the book itself.
April 7, 2019
Blaylock is one of my favorite authors, even though I only started reading him just a little over a year ago. I started out with the "Narbondo Trilogy", and I absolutely loved his short stories that took place in that same universe (despite the fact that it really may seem like all of Blaylock's stories take place in the same universe). Then I purchased the Omnibus "Christian Trilogy" and fell in love with "The Last Coin" immediately, since the characters were quirky and the narration and situations were wonderfully entertaining just like The Digging Leviathan and Homunculus. But then I read "The Paper Grail", and I felt Blaylock's narration changing a bit (which I also noticed in some of his later short stories as well). He was becoming more serious. "The Paper Grail" actually bummed me out a bit at first (the setting was a cloudier part of California Blaylock hadn't talked about before, and the characters didn't immediately take me). But, by the end Blaylock had me and so I ended up loving the stories and characters. It all was just a little more close to reality than I was used to with Blaylock...
So, this set the stage perfectly for "All The Bells.." I fell in love with the characters immediately, and loved the whole atmosphere of the rainy December in southern California and the impeding Christmas. Walt was an impressively confident, passionate lead character. Father Mahoney and Rev. Bentley were a surprisingly interesting pair. The characters were all flawed in ways we can understand (even the holy men), and I although most of them did regrettable things, I found I related to all of them by the end of the story..
I actually teared up a bit during the last few pages. What a righteous conclusion!!
Blaylock is so interesting. I'm definitely going to continue to explore his stuff..
So, this set the stage perfectly for "All The Bells.." I fell in love with the characters immediately, and loved the whole atmosphere of the rainy December in southern California and the impeding Christmas. Walt was an impressively confident, passionate lead character. Father Mahoney and Rev. Bentley were a surprisingly interesting pair. The characters were all flawed in ways we can understand (even the holy men), and I although most of them did regrettable things, I found I related to all of them by the end of the story..
I actually teared up a bit during the last few pages. What a righteous conclusion!!
Blaylock is so interesting. I'm definitely going to continue to explore his stuff..
February 13, 2012
Oui, bon. On dit qu’il s’agit du meilleur roman de Blaylock. Je ne connais pas les autres, mais ce n’est pas celui-ci qui va m’inciter à explorer son œuvre. Dans une petite ville de Californie, quelques jours avant Noël, le sonneur de cloche meurt écrasé par la cloche sabotée, le curé est agressé dans sa sacristie, un homme d’affaire est victime de combustion spontanée, et Walt Stebbins, honnête citoyen, reçoit par erreur un colis qui ne lui est pas destiné. Le curé s’allie au pasteur, et démarre alors une lutte contre le Mal assez grotesque. L’ambiance hésite entre le conte et la farce, l’aspect fantastique et mystérieux ne m’a absolument pas convaincue, et la pseudo-morale « l’argent c’est le Mal, et pour « tout se paie » m’a fortement fatiguée. Le héros principal est particulièrement insipide et ne contribue pas à relever le niveau d’un roman déjà peu consistant.
December 6, 2025
This is the third book by James Blaylock that I've read and by far the best.
And a great book to read at Christmastime to boot!
And a great book to read at Christmastime to boot!
January 25, 2015
Unfortunately, a true point by point review of this book would involve too many spoilers, so I will endeavor to give the broadest response possible. Two things stood out to me with this novel. First is the fact that is was slow in building its momentum, and by slow, I mean tectonic plate slow, with the occasional quake when something shifted dramatically. I had the feeling that it was always on the verge of exploding with energy, yet didn't. The second thing, and a positive to balance the negative, is the author's ability to create solid, believable characters with real motivations and responses to events around them. The dialogue was superb, and I felt like I was hearing actual conversation throughout. Sadly, by biggest complaint, and the reason for my less than stellar rating, is that I wanted so badly for this book to be what it wasn't. I kept feeling the book wanted to be a horror novel, but it never reached beyond compelling mystery for me. Perhaps that was all the author intended, which I respect. That is why I will still recommend the book highly, because, if nothing else, the author impressed me despite not meeting my expectations.
March 6, 2010
I just re-read this (3rd time) and was even more impressed, perhaps aided by the hindsight of disappointment that I felt from Blaylock's latest 'Knights of the Cornerstone'. It is interesting to compare the two, as both could be termed 'Christian Fantasy.' However, ABE succeeds because it deals with dark matter in a sidewise and quirky manner, drawing the reader in whatever their ideological persuasions, while KC just tries to force you to believe. Be that as it may, this is wonderful book, blending atmosphere, dialogue and characterization perfectly with its parable of compulsions and how we might slip comfortably into hell - or not. One of my favourite reads.
May 4, 2017
This delightful tale is one of author James Blaylock's better books, though not the very best. With a typical lovably oddball protagonist and nefarious/magical goings on, it's an enjoyable little adventure. Here we have a mysterious, pickled "bluebird of happiness" and typically Blaylockian everyman-caught-in-weird-happenings fun. Don't be too concerned about the "Christian Trilogy #3" tag Goodreads has given this novel. It isn't really a sequel, and it never once had occurred to me that it was, and I'm a big Blaylock fan.
August 19, 2010
I liked this book. I walked down wet streets and wandered in and out of houses with these characters. I still have the memory of the town and the characters. I think it will stay. Good book.
May 6, 2008
The man wrote a horror-type story set in the City of Orange - God bless him for trying, lol...
August 2, 2018
What a GREAT story!!! Blaylock, you’ve done it again. This is why I read books. I called in sick today so I could finish reading this one after I fell asleep with the book in my lap last night. If you are already familiar with Blaylock’s books, nothing more need be said, if not, I would say this about him. He is like a Lays potato chip - “ nobody can read just one”.
I’ve been enjoying him since the eighties, and I’m ready for another-right now.
This novel is one of the three that make up his Christian Trilogy, “The Last Coin” and “The Paper Grail” being the other two, both of which I read long ago. I picked up “TPG” because it had a cool cover and a blurb by an author I trusted. That doesn’t always work but this time I struck gold.
Like many of Blaylock’s novels, his characters are a rich assortment of everyday people, often caught up in something beyond their capacities, blindly stumbling through the obstacles and pitfalls. His ability to combine reality with fantastic happenings is unparalleled. How his characters react to the unbelievable, and adapt to it throughout the story is so well done.
There is plenty of craziness in this tale as in his others, with violence ready to spill out at a moments notice due to the evil influence from the underworld. Blaylock’s great at teasing the psychies of the good characters. I found myself thinking of Disch’s “The Sub” & “The Priest”, or even King’s “Needful Things”. Blaylock is a little lighter when it comes to describing graphic violence, but don’t worry, he paints some pretty gruesome scenes.
And, like his other novels, in the end, good triumphs over evil in a tremendous climax, and all ends well for our lovable protagonists.
Perfect
I’ve been enjoying him since the eighties, and I’m ready for another-right now.
This novel is one of the three that make up his Christian Trilogy, “The Last Coin” and “The Paper Grail” being the other two, both of which I read long ago. I picked up “TPG” because it had a cool cover and a blurb by an author I trusted. That doesn’t always work but this time I struck gold.
Like many of Blaylock’s novels, his characters are a rich assortment of everyday people, often caught up in something beyond their capacities, blindly stumbling through the obstacles and pitfalls. His ability to combine reality with fantastic happenings is unparalleled. How his characters react to the unbelievable, and adapt to it throughout the story is so well done.
There is plenty of craziness in this tale as in his others, with violence ready to spill out at a moments notice due to the evil influence from the underworld. Blaylock’s great at teasing the psychies of the good characters. I found myself thinking of Disch’s “The Sub” & “The Priest”, or even King’s “Needful Things”. Blaylock is a little lighter when it comes to describing graphic violence, but don’t worry, he paints some pretty gruesome scenes.
And, like his other novels, in the end, good triumphs over evil in a tremendous climax, and all ends well for our lovable protagonists.
Perfect
November 26, 2024
A well done novel that has a number of eccentric yet relatable characters, fantastical situations, and a supernatural battle of good versus evil yet in a modern-day southern California city setting. The author is a teacher of creative writing and it shows in the quality of his novel. I tried to study the technical aspects of it (trying to be a writer myself) and instead was caught up in the story literally every time I started reading. Some elements gave my wife the heebie jeebies but I was so intrigued that I just had to keep on reading. I don't know what the religion of the author is, if any, but in this the third in his Christian Trilogy, there were so many positive elements related to the most important parts of the faith that it made me wonder if he is a Christian himself. Anyway, I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading more of his works in the future.
July 1, 2018
A deal with the devil runs amok among small town sensibilities. 20 years before three businessmen were duped into selling their souls to the devil. Now during the Christmas season, one of them spontaneously combusts. This leaves the two surviving businessmen to desperately try to find a way to get out of their deals. A charm exists that can get one of them out of the deal, but craziness ensues that can only happen in a small town. Small town sensibilities are more powerful than they seem, but can they overcome the devil? This was a decent fantasy read. I enjoyed it.
April 6, 2023
2.5 rounded down
Men walking in the rain, trying and failing to resist various temptations, and winking at everyone like that’s a normal way to greet someone.
I kept expecting more to happen, and I kept being disappointed. It’s fine, just not what I was hoping for.
Men walking in the rain, trying and failing to resist various temptations, and winking at everyone like that’s a normal way to greet someone.
I kept expecting more to happen, and I kept being disappointed. It’s fine, just not what I was hoping for.
October 17, 2017
Interesting connections and good writing, but the main character is flat and boring.
August 19, 2023
Really enjoyed this book and kept it. Got it from Karin who I used to work with. Cover put me off for years. Finally read it and liked it.
July 18, 2025
Another fun read from Blaylock starring a lovable seemingly-loser type. Firmly 'b-movie' tier plot, but an enjoyable and quick read all the same.
September 3, 2025
One of the spookiest books I have ever read.
January 23, 2014
Well, what did I expect from a book whose main plot device is a dead bird floating in a jar of gin- aka, the Bluebird of Unhappiness?
Said bird has the power to grant tempting wishes but always exacts a terrible price. This has all been done better in "The Monkey's Paw".
The same B. of U. is also involved in resolving the main conflict, though as far as I can tell, things wouldn't really have worked out that way.
Indeed, there were several jarring instances when characters said or did things that didn't make good sense- unless they were just there to move the plot where the author wanted it to go.
The author had his characters spend considerable time considering the moral aspects of their acts, but he likewise twisted those to suit his purposes.
Finally, although the setting in Suburbia was meant to contrast normality with strange, evil incursions, I found so much of the plot bland and boring. It was a pot-boiler.
For all these reasons and at great personal risk, I wish the author had written a better book.
Said bird has the power to grant tempting wishes but always exacts a terrible price. This has all been done better in "The Monkey's Paw".
The same B. of U. is also involved in resolving the main conflict, though as far as I can tell, things wouldn't really have worked out that way.
Indeed, there were several jarring instances when characters said or did things that didn't make good sense- unless they were just there to move the plot where the author wanted it to go.
The author had his characters spend considerable time considering the moral aspects of their acts, but he likewise twisted those to suit his purposes.
Finally, although the setting in Suburbia was meant to contrast normality with strange, evil incursions, I found so much of the plot bland and boring. It was a pot-boiler.
For all these reasons and at great personal risk, I wish the author had written a better book.
April 10, 2025
I have read this before, and not a real long time ago, maybe 10 years ago? But I wanted to read the whole trilogy after finally getting ahold of The Last Coin.
This is a thematic trilogy, I guess, not a story with the same characters and events.
This volume is a bit darker than the first two. If someone conned you that you were selling your soul to the devil, but you believed it, did you really sell your soul to the devil?
Humorous, still reminding me a lot of Philip K. Dick and Tim Powers.
This is a thematic trilogy, I guess, not a story with the same characters and events.
This volume is a bit darker than the first two. If someone conned you that you were selling your soul to the devil, but you believed it, did you really sell your soul to the devil?
Humorous, still reminding me a lot of Philip K. Dick and Tim Powers.
January 14, 2016
Technically well written, the story had a lot more potential than the author was able to wrestle out of it. Its main characters inhabit an otherwise everyday existence that has a current of evil and strange devices lurking just out of the sight of all but its dubious heroes. What is disappointing is the unsatisfactory way in which the author never really strongly connects or explains the mechanisms or logic in resolving of the main conflict and climax of the story. It is as if the author gave up trying to write an ending that made any sense within the rules and logical structure of the world and characters he created.
March 19, 2024
I bought a used copy of this book a while ago, but for some reason I couldn’t get past the first few pages. Then I finally bought the audiobook, and got hooked on the story right away. The story has mystery, quirkiness, good vs. evil, and demons.
It’s Christmas time in California. A man running a mail-order business out of his garage receives some strange mis-labeled merchandise in the mail: a bluebird preserved in a jar of liquid, which grants his wishes, but brings an equal misfortune for each. But another man (the intended recipient of the bluebird in the jar) is searching for it urgently, and he will stop at nothing to find it. And a really great story unfolds.
It’s Christmas time in California. A man running a mail-order business out of his garage receives some strange mis-labeled merchandise in the mail: a bluebird preserved in a jar of liquid, which grants his wishes, but brings an equal misfortune for each. But another man (the intended recipient of the bluebird in the jar) is searching for it urgently, and he will stop at nothing to find it. And a really great story unfolds.
August 28, 2020
This story takes place where I grew up! I loved seeing familiar landscape described is his story. The story itself was a pleasant combination of mystery, supernatural and the ordinariness of life. I can't decide which genre I would place it in. He's a pal of Tim Powers, who wrote Last Call. It was through Powers that I came to find Blaylock's book.
January 28, 2023
I love all the complicated, fallible characters and the multiple plots that somehow twist themselves together at the end of each of Blaylock's books. You finish the last page with a satisfied smile.
July 11, 2015
Decent story. I listened to the audio version and the narrator had a few annoying ways of pronouncing some words. Also the author used the saying, laughed out loud (or some version of it) way too many times.
September 25, 2015
Every Christian should read a good book about fighting the devil every now and again. Blaylock is a more approachable Charles Williams, and parts of this book gave me the cold sweats. Nastily inventive. The grouchy main character is a new fave.
Read
October 5, 2008One of my all time favorites.
March 5, 2013
Great great book.
January 6, 2009
A magic realism book in my mind.
Some normal guys in Orange County are attacked by Satanic forces. The book never states this, just the prevading sense of evil and bad things happening.
Some normal guys in Orange County are attacked by Satanic forces. The book never states this, just the prevading sense of evil and bad things happening.
April 28, 2011
Една от най-широките книги на Блейлок. Това, което е синтезирано в "Последния сребърник", тук се е разляло като мудна река :) Страхотно преживяване.
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July 15, 2014First read around 1999.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews