The Hellbound Heart

The Hellbound Heart is a Clive Barker horror novella, originally published in 1986. It is the basis for the 1987 Hellraiser movie, and the movie is a faithful adaptation. This is a remarkable book, a quick read, and an extraordinary exploration of pain and pleasure and despair.

from the back of the book:

Frank Cotton's insatiable appetite for the dark pleasures of pain led him to the puzzle of Lemarchand's box, and from there, to a death only a sick-minded soul could invent. But his brother's love-crazed wife, Julia, has discovered a way to bring Frank back -though the price will be bloody and terrible ... and there will certainly be hell to pay.

The beginning of the 3rd chapter:

The seasons long for each other, like men and women, in order that may be cured of their excesses.

Spring, if it lingers more than a week beyond its span, starts to hunger for summer to end the days of perpetual promise. Summer in its turn soon begins to sweat for something to quench its heat, and the mellowest of autumns will tire of gentility at last, and ache for a quick sharp frost to kill its fruitfulness.

Even Winter -the hardest season, the most implacable- dreams, as February creeps on, of the flame that will presently melt it away. Everything tires with time, and starts to seek some opposition, to save it from itself.

So August gave way to September and there were few complaints.

The Hellraiser Wiki has a spoiler-filled plot summary. Fantasy Book Review calls is "simple yet elegant" and says, "the concepts explored and the manner they are portrayed make for a captivating read". Horror Novel Reviews closes its review with this:

The Hellbound Heart is among the greatest literary achievements of Clive Barker’s career. It is a reminder of why he is a true master of horror. Read as a stand-alone or as a compendium to the Hellraiser films, The Hellbound Heart is essential literature for all fans of the genre.

The Examiner calls it "engaging" and says, "If you enjoyed the original Hellraiser film, you will not be displeased with the novella." Scream says, "The Hellbound Heart for horror fans is not a million miles away from being the perfect read, the concept of access to another plain of existence is a well-used one and Clive Barker handles it with vivid poise. ... Characters are well rounded and there’s enough horror to disturb most."