Sacrament by Clive Barker

I'll have to admit to a degree of bias here because I'm a HUGE Clive Barker fan.

This book wasn't as graphic as some of his others, but the writing is just as beautiful. It's wonderfully descriptive without clogging up the pace of the story, which is what every writer should seek to do. The description is part of the art, but more importantly is the story for the pure entertainment.

Will Rabjohns is a famous wildlife photographer who's photos feature dead and/or dying animals. When we meet him, he's photographing Polar Bears eating out of a dumpster. Sure, it's melancholy and morose. But it's art. His choice of subject was influenced by his sought after 'surrogate family' Jacob Steep and Rosa McGee whom we meet while Will is in a coma recovering from a Polar Bear attack.

While Jacob and Rosa are supernatural beings(of a sort- I won't say much more about their nature lest I ruin it for anyone who hasn't read the book) one can find metaphorical parallels in what they do. The topic of endangered species is thoughtfully addressed and becomes a part of a bigger picture. Our relationship to the earth and its inhabitants receives a fatalist if not cynical look that is not so much to tell us we're all doomed as it is to make us stop and think a minute about where we are and what we're doing here.
Jacob Steep is in search of his roots and his purpose as whatever being he is. This presents a sort of metaphor to the reader, as surely many of us humans have wondered the same question. Of course, Jacob is willing to go to great lengths to get these answers whatever the cost. Whether or not Jacob and Rosa have consciences like we do is questionable, as Jacob clearly has no problem taking lives throughout his journey whether they be animal or person.
Will Rabjons, our hero, was initially fascinated by Jacob and I think he remains so all the way to the end despite knowing that Jacob must be stopped.

There are many metaphors to be found in the book if one chooses to spend time thinking about it. For instance, one could say that Jacob and Rosa represent the destructive and impatient aspects of a person's personality.
Of course, all theoretical hulabaloo aside-- It's a great read in and of itself with that wonderful classic Clive Barker style of storytelling.