What do you think?
Rate this book
Before
In 1970s Germany, a mental patient at the end of his life suddenly speaks for the first time in years. A year later in Vietnam, a mission to rescue a group of American POWs becomes a military disaster.
In present day England, the birthday of college lecturer Alex Webber sends his life spiralling out of control as a series of disturbing hallucinations lead him to the office of Dr. Ellen Hayward. And things will never be the same again for either of them. Hunted by an immortal being known only as The Infinity, their capture could mean the end of humanity itself…
Part horror story, part thrilling road adventure, part historical drama, BEFORE is a novel like no other. Described as “the dark fantasy version of Cloud Atlas,” Kane’s BEFORE is as wide in scope as it is in imagination as it tackles the greatest questions haunting mankind—Who are we? Why are we here? And where are we going?
Join award-winning author Paul Kane as he takes you on the journey of a lifetime.
In present day England, the birthday of college lecturer Alex Webber sends his life spiralling out of control as a series of disturbing hallucinations lead him to the office of Dr. Ellen Hayward. And things will never be the same again for either of them. Hunted by an immortal being known only as The Infinity, their capture could mean the end of humanity itself…
Part horror story, part thrilling road adventure, part historical drama, BEFORE is a novel like no other. Described as “the dark fantasy version of Cloud Atlas,” Kane’s BEFORE is as wide in scope as it is in imagination as it tackles the greatest questions haunting mankind—Who are we? Why are we here? And where are we going?
Join award-winning author Paul Kane as he takes you on the journey of a lifetime.
- GenresHorror
510 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
45 people are currently reading
72 people want to read
About the author
Paul Kane
228 books141 followersPaul Kane has been writing professionally for almost fifteen years. His genre journalism has appeared in such magazines as Fangoria, SFX and Rue Morgue, and his non-fiction books are the critically acclaimed The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy and Voices in the Dark. His award-winning short fiction has appeared in magazines and anthologies on both sides of the Atlantic (as well as being broadcast on BBC Radio 2), and has been collected in Alone (In the Dark), Touching the Flame, FunnyBones, Peripheral Visions, Shadow Writer, The Butterfly Man and Other Stories, The Spaces Between and GHOSTS. His novella Signs of Life reached the shortlist of the British Fantasy Awards 2006, The Lazarus Condition was introduced by Mick Garris - creator of Masters of Horror - RED featured artwork from Dave (The Graveyard Book) McKean and Pain Cages was introduced by Stephen Volk (The Awakening).
As Special Publications Editor of the British Fantasy Society he worked with authors like Brian Aldiss, Ramsey Campbell, Muriel Gray and Robert Silverberg, he is the co-editor of Hellbound Hearts for Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster), an anthology of original stories inspired by Clive Barker's mythos - featuring contributions from the likes of Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, Kelley Armstrong and Richard Christian Matheson - The Mammoth Book of Body Horror (Constable & Robinson) - featuring Stephen King, James Herbert and Robert Bloch - and the Poe-inspired Beyond Rue Morgue (for Titan).
In 2008 his zombie story 'Dead Time' was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself, adapted by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II-IV). He also scripted The Opportunity which premiered at Cannes in 2009, The Weeping Woman - starring Fright Night's Stephen Jeffreys - and Wind Chimes (directed by Brad '7th Dimension' Watson. He is the author of the novels Of Darkness and Light, The Gemini Factor and the bestselling Arrowhead trilogy (Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland), a post-apocalyptic reworking of the Robin Hood mythology gathered together as the sell-out Hooded Man omnibus. His latest novels are Lunar (which is set to be turned into a feature film) and the short Y.A. book The Rainbow Man (as P.B. Kane). He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife - the author Marie O'Regan - his family, and a black cat called Mina. You can find out more at his website www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Neil Gaiman, Charlaine Harris, Dean Koontz, John Connolly and Guillermo del Toro.
As Special Publications Editor of the British Fantasy Society he worked with authors like Brian Aldiss, Ramsey Campbell, Muriel Gray and Robert Silverberg, he is the co-editor of Hellbound Hearts for Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster), an anthology of original stories inspired by Clive Barker's mythos - featuring contributions from the likes of Christopher Golden and Mike Mignola, Kelley Armstrong and Richard Christian Matheson - The Mammoth Book of Body Horror (Constable & Robinson) - featuring Stephen King, James Herbert and Robert Bloch - and the Poe-inspired Beyond Rue Morgue (for Titan).
In 2008 his zombie story 'Dead Time' was turned into an episode of the Lionsgate/NBC TV series Fear Itself, adapted by Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (SAW II-IV). He also scripted The Opportunity which premiered at Cannes in 2009, The Weeping Woman - starring Fright Night's Stephen Jeffreys - and Wind Chimes (directed by Brad '7th Dimension' Watson. He is the author of the novels Of Darkness and Light, The Gemini Factor and the bestselling Arrowhead trilogy (Arrowhead, Broken Arrow and Arrowland), a post-apocalyptic reworking of the Robin Hood mythology gathered together as the sell-out Hooded Man omnibus. His latest novels are Lunar (which is set to be turned into a feature film) and the short Y.A. book The Rainbow Man (as P.B. Kane). He currently lives in Derbyshire, UK, with his wife - the author Marie O'Regan - his family, and a black cat called Mina. You can find out more at his website www.shadow-writer.co.uk which has featured Guest Writers such as Neil Gaiman, Charlaine Harris, Dean Koontz, John Connolly and Guillermo del Toro.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 11, 2017
Since Goodreads doesn't allow half stars I am posting this as 3 but I feel it may be closer to 3.5 stars. I loved the antagonist but thought the villain was too easily defeated. But this is a problem I find in many fantasy or supernatural books. Full review to come at thescaryreviews.com
February 1, 2018
This book is a slow burn, but it’s deeply imaginative and wonderfully populated. Reminiscent of Clive Barker. Good stuff!
September 10, 2017
I'm old. 51 to be exact - so I've been reading for a very long time. When I started reading, the only way you found out about new authors was to be friends with your local bookseller, or librarian; and even then it wasn't until the author's third or forth book before you heard of them. Even worse, if the author was from another country, the probability of ever hearing about them (unless they wound up, somehow, on The NY Times bestseller list) was slim.
Social media has changed all that - and I'm happy to have found a wonderful author from across the pond: Paul Kane.
I found out about Paul from Barbie Wilde - who wrote the introduction to his brilliant novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, all about Sherlock Holmes in the Hellraiser realm. So when I was asked if I was willing to read and review his forthcoming novel I couldn't say YES fast enough. And boy am I glad I did.
If you've read my reviews, you know I like analogies. So, how do you describe BEFORE? Take one part Stephen King's The Stand, mix with a bit of Clive Barker's Hellraiser, and toss in a splash of Neil Gaiman's American Gods. Blend well and serve with a side of The Bible. If you've mixed it properly, you have the epic tale of BEFORE - and it's a huge helping.
One of the things I like about Paul's writing is that it's believable. He doesn't put people in outlandish situations that make you say,"Nope, that would never happen." His characters have their strengths, but they also have their weaknesses, and that's what makes you feel for them. And he does it in a way that seems effortless. One of the other things about BEFORE is that I can see this as a Netflix miniseries - easily.
So, what is it about? Well, honestly, that's like asking, "Why are we here?" Oh wait, that's basically what the book is about. Paul puts a weird twist on the history of mankind, with a dark presence - The Infinity - who has a hand in every major blow to man; from the plague, to WWI, to WWII, and more. The Infinity's justification is that after every major disaster, mankind rises above and becomes more advanced. However, it's through these advancements that mankind will destroy itself - and is this the end game of The Infinity?
I have to say, stories like this have been done - take The Stand for instance. However, unlike The Stand, you don't need 4 months, a scorecard, and a concordance to read and appreciate BEFORE. At no time did I have to flip back to make sure I remembered who the players are and to try and keep up with 3 subplots.
I can rehash the story, but to do so will take away from the enjoyment of watching it unfold for yourself. I will say that the story will stay with you - long after you turn the final page. It will also make you think - what does the future hold.
Oh, and be on the lookout for Paul's nod to Stephen King's IT.
Social media has changed all that - and I'm happy to have found a wonderful author from across the pond: Paul Kane.
I found out about Paul from Barbie Wilde - who wrote the introduction to his brilliant novel Sherlock Holmes and the Servants of Hell, all about Sherlock Holmes in the Hellraiser realm. So when I was asked if I was willing to read and review his forthcoming novel I couldn't say YES fast enough. And boy am I glad I did.
If you've read my reviews, you know I like analogies. So, how do you describe BEFORE? Take one part Stephen King's The Stand, mix with a bit of Clive Barker's Hellraiser, and toss in a splash of Neil Gaiman's American Gods. Blend well and serve with a side of The Bible. If you've mixed it properly, you have the epic tale of BEFORE - and it's a huge helping.
One of the things I like about Paul's writing is that it's believable. He doesn't put people in outlandish situations that make you say,"Nope, that would never happen." His characters have their strengths, but they also have their weaknesses, and that's what makes you feel for them. And he does it in a way that seems effortless. One of the other things about BEFORE is that I can see this as a Netflix miniseries - easily.
So, what is it about? Well, honestly, that's like asking, "Why are we here?" Oh wait, that's basically what the book is about. Paul puts a weird twist on the history of mankind, with a dark presence - The Infinity - who has a hand in every major blow to man; from the plague, to WWI, to WWII, and more. The Infinity's justification is that after every major disaster, mankind rises above and becomes more advanced. However, it's through these advancements that mankind will destroy itself - and is this the end game of The Infinity?
I have to say, stories like this have been done - take The Stand for instance. However, unlike The Stand, you don't need 4 months, a scorecard, and a concordance to read and appreciate BEFORE. At no time did I have to flip back to make sure I remembered who the players are and to try and keep up with 3 subplots.
I can rehash the story, but to do so will take away from the enjoyment of watching it unfold for yourself. I will say that the story will stay with you - long after you turn the final page. It will also make you think - what does the future hold.
Oh, and be on the lookout for Paul's nod to Stephen King's IT.
December 4, 2017
If you enjoy losing yourself in a well-written supernatural thriller with strong elements of horror, curling up in your favourite reading spot with this book may well be the perfect way to spend an evening or two.
Before we get into the main story of the here-and-now, Kane adds a little backstory to the mystery beginning with a couple of chapters set in the 1970s. The first takes place in a psychiatric hospital in Germany where English doctor Patrick Vaughn is treating an enigmatic patient in a state of catatonia. Then Vaughn is summoned urgently to the hospital. The patient, Johann, is showing signs of life. Then, in the next chapter, a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam jungle are seemingly on a mission to rescue some POWs. But one of their number knows their true objective. For the Infinity feeds on war and devastation, and it will stop at nothing to maintain its power source. Readers may feel that these two chapters have little or nothing in common, but they lay the groundwork for the epic story that is to unfold. A story that, for the reader, begins in the 1970s in Germany and Vietnam, doesn’t find resolve until present-day England. These opening chapters also show us something about the style of the book; it is a story intended to draw the reader in, to be immersive. While the story is told in a contemporary setting, Kane must build up his dark fantasy framework, hinting at the history of the Infinity and those who oppose it,
Bringing the story into the present day, we meet university lecturer, Alex Webber, a deeply unhappy man who seems to be in the midst of a dark depression. It is his birthday, and he is miserable. Not least because he feels that he is growing distant from his wife, Beverly. They appear to have very little, if anything, in common and the spark seems to have vanished from their relationship. At first, it is difficult to feel any kind of sympathy for this human doormat. But the reader’s interest is piqued by the terrible visions he experiences with increasing frequency. The world around him begins to blur and transform until he sees people dressed in clothes from hundreds of years ago. And the scenes are usually from a battlefield or some other bloody altercation. Eventually, the visions become so vivid that Alex hurts himself, and finds himself referred to a psychiatrist, Dr. Ellen Hayward. At first, Alex’s case seems to be one of depression and self-harm. But as Hayward digs deeper and witnesses his reaction to the visions, they are forced together in a quest for the truth.
To read the full review, please visit This Is Horror.
Before we get into the main story of the here-and-now, Kane adds a little backstory to the mystery beginning with a couple of chapters set in the 1970s. The first takes place in a psychiatric hospital in Germany where English doctor Patrick Vaughn is treating an enigmatic patient in a state of catatonia. Then Vaughn is summoned urgently to the hospital. The patient, Johann, is showing signs of life. Then, in the next chapter, a platoon of American soldiers in the Vietnam jungle are seemingly on a mission to rescue some POWs. But one of their number knows their true objective. For the Infinity feeds on war and devastation, and it will stop at nothing to maintain its power source. Readers may feel that these two chapters have little or nothing in common, but they lay the groundwork for the epic story that is to unfold. A story that, for the reader, begins in the 1970s in Germany and Vietnam, doesn’t find resolve until present-day England. These opening chapters also show us something about the style of the book; it is a story intended to draw the reader in, to be immersive. While the story is told in a contemporary setting, Kane must build up his dark fantasy framework, hinting at the history of the Infinity and those who oppose it,
Bringing the story into the present day, we meet university lecturer, Alex Webber, a deeply unhappy man who seems to be in the midst of a dark depression. It is his birthday, and he is miserable. Not least because he feels that he is growing distant from his wife, Beverly. They appear to have very little, if anything, in common and the spark seems to have vanished from their relationship. At first, it is difficult to feel any kind of sympathy for this human doormat. But the reader’s interest is piqued by the terrible visions he experiences with increasing frequency. The world around him begins to blur and transform until he sees people dressed in clothes from hundreds of years ago. And the scenes are usually from a battlefield or some other bloody altercation. Eventually, the visions become so vivid that Alex hurts himself, and finds himself referred to a psychiatrist, Dr. Ellen Hayward. At first, Alex’s case seems to be one of depression and self-harm. But as Hayward digs deeper and witnesses his reaction to the visions, they are forced together in a quest for the truth.
To read the full review, please visit This Is Horror.
September 27, 2017
I barely know how to intelligibly pour out my thoughts on this book in a way that will showcase its uniqueness and spectacularity properly. Even though the beginning of the book lagged just a bit, once the TURBO button was pushed, I was catapulted forth on a bigger, wilder, more breathtaking thrill ride than any amusement park has to offer. There was an artful blending of horror, history, action, suspense and supernatural elements that gave the book a multi-dimensional, as well as multi-genre, appeal. The characters were vivid, complex and compelling with great depth and substance. The pervading tone was couched in shadows, eerie, ethereal, bone-chilling and creepy, but only in the very best of ways. The plot line was intense, gripping, thoroughly engaging, expansively imaginative and made me re-evaluate my criteria for a 5 star read.
I'm a big Robert McCammon fan, and I found Kane's BEFORE to be just as darkly-delicious, gleefully-demented and secretly-satisfying as a McCammon novel. Kane is one author I'll be keeping tabs on, in the future... and a bright and successful future, I predict that will be!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this story in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
I'm a big Robert McCammon fan, and I found Kane's BEFORE to be just as darkly-delicious, gleefully-demented and secretly-satisfying as a McCammon novel. Kane is one author I'll be keeping tabs on, in the future... and a bright and successful future, I predict that will be!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this story in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 6, 2017
A FINE BUT WEIRD TALE OF SOMETHING OR ANOTHER IT IS...
Hello, this is a really good story. It is hard to give a review on the subject matter without giving too much away. The writing is very good and entertaining. You really want to find out what happens next. Good stuff. A little on the weird side, but that's fine with me. Thanks.
Hello, this is a really good story. It is hard to give a review on the subject matter without giving too much away. The writing is very good and entertaining. You really want to find out what happens next. Good stuff. A little on the weird side, but that's fine with me. Thanks.
March 13, 2018
A clever combination of unique and strange. It is out there. And it is not a quick sit down and read book by any means. It was well written, and I can’t really summarize without giving too much detail away.
May 31, 2018
A compelling read that keeps you turning the pages as you are pulled into that continual battle between good and evil. Supernatural elements and characters you care about drive the story relentlessly on making the 491 pages fly by.
August 18, 2017
Part horror story, part thrilling road adventure, part historical drama, Before is a novel like no other. Described as "the dark fantasy version of Cloud Atlas," Kane's Before is as wide in scope as it is in imagination as it tackles the greatest questions haunting mankind-Who are we? Why are we here? And where are we going?
In 1970s Germany, a mental patient at the end of his life suddenly speaks for the first time in years. A year later in Vietnam, a mission to rescue a group of American POWs becomes a military disaster.
In present day England, the birthday of college lecturer Alex Webber sends his life spiralling out of control as a series of disturbing hallucinations lead him to the office of Dr. Ellen Hayward. And things will never be the same again for either of them. Hunted by an immortal being known only as The Infinity, their capture could mean the end of humanity itself...
One of the first things I read about Before was Paul Kane himself calling his latest novel his The Great And Secret Show. Now that's some claim! Clive Barker is one of my favourite authors, with The Great and Secret Show being a true epic within his bibliography. This not only shows Kane's confidence in his new 491 page tome but it also sets a level of expectation for any prospective reader.
Before is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure story with horror/supernatural elements. Although not as eloquent as Barker, Kane's prose is incredibly effective . I particularly enjoyed the Cambodian Village chapters, full of believable characters and well written action set pieces. It was also here that I noticed my first real nod to Barker, a sequence of events made me think of the attic at 55 Ludovico Place. (I won't be more specific as I hate to post spoilers, but once you read it I'm sure you'll agree.)
Alex Webber is a believable lead and plays off well against Ellen his psychiatrist. I did find the love triangle a tad melodramatic with too much attention paid to Beverley, Alex's ex-wife. My main issue with Before is the criminal underuse of The Infinity, a fantastic creation. I loved it anytime he was on the page, which wasn't anywhere near enough sadly. I thoroughly enjoyed his dialogue and the way he interacted with his minions. To counter that though, Kane really shone with Lucas Peck, a nasty piece of work that has a unique talent. Peck is The Infinity's sadistic sidekick, and with his skills, I'm not sure if there isn't a touch of the Cenobite about him. And don't get me started on what he does with some flowers!
Paul Kane can certainly tell a story! To be able to keep the reader engaged across multiple settings, eras and genre can only be classed as a triumph. Before mixes action adventure, horror and the supernatural skillfully. I burned through nigh on 500 pages in only a few days. Before may not have been as epic a story as I was expecting, but it was a fast paced enjoyable read that kept me hooked till its thrilling conclusion.
In 1970s Germany, a mental patient at the end of his life suddenly speaks for the first time in years. A year later in Vietnam, a mission to rescue a group of American POWs becomes a military disaster.
In present day England, the birthday of college lecturer Alex Webber sends his life spiralling out of control as a series of disturbing hallucinations lead him to the office of Dr. Ellen Hayward. And things will never be the same again for either of them. Hunted by an immortal being known only as The Infinity, their capture could mean the end of humanity itself...
One of the first things I read about Before was Paul Kane himself calling his latest novel his The Great And Secret Show. Now that's some claim! Clive Barker is one of my favourite authors, with The Great and Secret Show being a true epic within his bibliography. This not only shows Kane's confidence in his new 491 page tome but it also sets a level of expectation for any prospective reader.
Before is a thoroughly enjoyable adventure story with horror/supernatural elements. Although not as eloquent as Barker, Kane's prose is incredibly effective . I particularly enjoyed the Cambodian Village chapters, full of believable characters and well written action set pieces. It was also here that I noticed my first real nod to Barker, a sequence of events made me think of the attic at 55 Ludovico Place. (I won't be more specific as I hate to post spoilers, but once you read it I'm sure you'll agree.)
Alex Webber is a believable lead and plays off well against Ellen his psychiatrist. I did find the love triangle a tad melodramatic with too much attention paid to Beverley, Alex's ex-wife. My main issue with Before is the criminal underuse of The Infinity, a fantastic creation. I loved it anytime he was on the page, which wasn't anywhere near enough sadly. I thoroughly enjoyed his dialogue and the way he interacted with his minions. To counter that though, Kane really shone with Lucas Peck, a nasty piece of work that has a unique talent. Peck is The Infinity's sadistic sidekick, and with his skills, I'm not sure if there isn't a touch of the Cenobite about him. And don't get me started on what he does with some flowers!
Paul Kane can certainly tell a story! To be able to keep the reader engaged across multiple settings, eras and genre can only be classed as a triumph. Before mixes action adventure, horror and the supernatural skillfully. I burned through nigh on 500 pages in only a few days. Before may not have been as epic a story as I was expecting, but it was a fast paced enjoyable read that kept me hooked till its thrilling conclusion.
January 20, 2018
terrific read with a villain every bit as evil and powerful as Randall Flagg from the stand by Stephen king .can give no greater praise than to say it was like reading a James Herbert book.
Read
May 18, 2018My goodness, what a turgid read. Filled with every horror trope ever used, including the ubiquitous 'I'm back!', (which was never really in any doubt), this book reads like something Stephen King wrote and then binned. Unnecessary descriptions pad the narrative and some of what happens is just risible. (Cars do not explode in a chain reaction when one is hit by a Molotov cocktail!) I skim read a lot just to see what kind of ludicrous ending the author had thought up. I wasn't disappointed.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews