Something Wicked This Way Comes

The Ray Bradbury I remember reading decades ago was not this poetic. Something Wicked was a surprise, his evocative language doing so much to capture the mood of early fall and the seasons of life, both literally and metaphorically. Clearly, he loves words in their many forms. Equally clearly, he is gifted as using those words to create a finely layered tale about two thirteen-year-old boys when the carnival comes to town. These boys are on the brink of change; longing to be older, to do more and be more. The father of one is a little bit lost in memory of what he once was, haunting their background and the library. Change is in the wind, and a few unusual events in the town seem to herald a larger shift. A lightening-rod salesman comes show more to call; the barber gets sick; a found playbill describes a carnival coming to town. The boys sneak out of their bedrooms to see it arrive, and it is with a mix of fascination and fear that they watch the carnival set up. Danger ensues--but is it the danger of growing up? Or of fear? Or something more malevolent?

The language is a delightful mix of specificity and metaphor.
"One year Halloween came on October 24, three hours after midnight... both touched towards fourteen; it almost trembled in their hands."

Each brief chapter is almost a poem, an image; a scene described so perfectly as to catch that edge between reckless and safety, age and youth, mystery and knowing. Threads of both exuberance and loss run through, and hints of change.

And characters! In brief sentences, he encapsulates the complexity of a life:

"And the first boy, with hair as blond-white as milk thistle, shut up one eye, tilted his head, and looked at the salesman with a single eye as open, bright and clear as a drop of summer rain."

"Jim stood like a runner who has come a long way, fever in his mouth, hands open to receive any gift."

"What was there about the illustrated carnival owner's silences that spoke thousands of violent, corrupt, and crippling words?"

Bradbury's ability to uniquely characterize extends to the carnival, arriving at the dead time of 3 a.m., setting up in the dark:
"For somehow instead, they both knew, the wires high-flung on the poles were catching swift clouds, ripping them free from the wind in streamers which, stitched and sewn by some great monster shadow, made canvas and more canvas as the tent took shape. At last there was the clear-water sound of vast flags blowing."

Then there is the added bonus of the library. Clearly, Bradbury loves libraries and books, which guarantees affection in my books (I know, I know--the puns!). "The library deeps lay waiting for them. Out in the world, not much happened. But here in the special night, a land bricked with paper and leather, anything might happen, always did. Listen! and you heard ten thousand people screaming so high only dogs feathered their ears...This was a factory of spices from far countries. Here alien deserts slumbered. Up front was the desk where the nice old lady, Miss Watriss, purple-stamped your books, but down off away were Tibet and Antarctica, the Congo." How perfectly that meshes my own memory of the library!

During the second half of the book, the tone shifts more and more from that cusp of fall into the fear of winter, of death. People change, quite drastically. Will's father has been hearing the carnival's calliope as well, and feeling every one of his fifty-some years in distance from his son. Between the boys and the father, Charles Halloway, the viewpoint of the reader is identified, explored, honored. Do we rush forward? Gaze backwards? Which way will we ride on the most sinister merry-go-round? ("Its horses...speared through their spines with brass javelins, hung contorted as in a death rictus, asking mercy with their fright-colored eyes, seeking revenge with their panic-colored teeth.")

It's even more surprising that a book first published in 1962 stands the test of time so well. To my mind, nothing dated it. Bradbury's thoughts on meaning of life, aging and fear are well worth reading again. An amazing book that wholeheartedly deserves a second read and an addition to my own library.

Cross posted at http://clsiewert.wordpress.com/2012/12/27/something-wicked-this-way-comes-by-ray... show less

Ray Bradbury's *Something Wicked This Way Comes* is not your typical coming-of-age story. It's a chilling, captivating tale that delves into the alluring and terrifying nature of desire, the seductive power of the unknown, and the enduring strength of friendship. This is not a light read; it's a **deeply atmospheric novel that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.**

**The Setting and Atmosphere:** Bradbury masterfully crafts a setting that is both familiar and uncanny. The small town, with its quiet October nights and the looming presence of the carnival, creates an atmosphere thick with suspense and mystery. The ordinary becomes extraordinary as the line between reality and illusion blurs, leaving the reader show more questioning what is truly happening and what is merely a figment of imagination. The descriptions of the carnival itself are vivid and unsettling, painting a picture of a place that is both alluring and deeply disturbing. Even the library, typically a place of solace, becomes a location of both wonder and unease. Bradbury’s evocative prose paints a picture you can almost feel, making the story both engaging and unsettling.

**Characters and Relationships:** The novel centers around two young boys, Will and Jim, whose contrasting personalities and evolving friendship form the emotional core of the story. Will, the more cautious and responsible of the two, represents the voice of reason and morality, while Jim, impulsive and curious, embodies the allure of temptation. Their bond, tested by the mysterious forces they encounter, is a testament to the power of friendship in the face of adversity. Their relationship evolves throughout the book, challenged by the events they experience and their individual responses to them. The dynamic between them is complex and well-developed, creating a believable and engaging central conflict.

**The Mysterious Carnival:** The carnival acts as a powerful catalyst, introducing a cast of intriguing and unsettling characters. **The enigmatic Mr. Dark, a figure of immense power and unsettling charisma, is one of the most memorable antagonists in literature.** His allure is potent, and his motivations remain shrouded in mystery, raising questions about the nature of temptation and the price of one's desires. The other carnival figures – the Illustrated Man, the Dust Witch, and the Dwarf – further add to the overall sense of otherworldly intrigue. Each character is richly detailed, creating an ensemble cast that enriches the narrative in unexpected ways.

**Themes and Deeper Meanings:** *Something Wicked This Way Comes* is not simply a spooky tale; it grapples with profound themes. The novel explores the nature of **good versus evil, the seductive power of temptation, and the consequences of unchecked desires.** It also examines the process of growing up, the complexities of human nature, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Bradbury leaves much open to interpretation, enabling the reader to reflect on these themes well after finishing the novel. The story is not just about facing external threats; it's also about confronting internal struggles and coming to terms with one’s own vulnerabilities.

**Writing Style and Pacing:** Bradbury's distinctive writing style is both lyrical and unsettling. His use of vivid imagery, evocative language, and carefully chosen details create a truly immersive reading experience. The pacing of the novel is expertly handled; the slower moments of quiet observation are masterfully contrasted with thrilling sequences of suspense and confrontation. The novel’s structure, carefully weaving together different narrative threads, is a testament to Bradbury’s skill as a storyteller.

**Why You Should Read It:** *Something Wicked This Way Comes* is more than just a genre novel; it's a **masterpiece of storytelling that blends fantasy, horror, and coming-of-age themes into a truly unforgettable narrative.** It's a story that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page, prompting reflection on the choices we make, the paths we take, and the enduring power of human connection. It’s not a quick read; rather, it's a slow burn, carefully building tension and suspense, forcing the reader to engage thoughtfully with the narrative.

**Overall:** This book is a **masterclass in atmospheric storytelling**. It is a work of art that transcends its genre and leaves a lasting impression. Bradbury’s ability to blend the mundane with the magical, to evoke a sense of wonder and unease simultaneously, is truly remarkable. While it may not be for everyone, *Something Wicked This Way Comes* is a must-read for those who appreciate intelligent, thought-provoking fiction with a captivating atmosphere. It is a book that rewards careful reading, demanding that the reader actively engage with its complex themes and intriguing characters. show less

Two boys have their friendship and their courage tested when a sinister carnival comes to their small, late-October town. I suspect Bradbury himself may have made a dark deal with a demonic side show hustler at some point in his career, because his way with words and the stories he wields them to tell is so good it must be supernatural. Everything about this book is gorgeous: the plot is perfectly creepy without staining the comforting and nostalgic small-town setting, and the characters are perfectly drawn. The bad guys are instilled with just the right amount of pure wickedness without feeling like caricatures, and the heroes are so wonderfully human that you can feel your heart breaking for both wanting to cry for them and the show more happiness they cause in you. Will's father in particular now has a place high in the ranks of Best Fictional Fathers of All Time, right up there with Danny the Champion of the World's dad. I feel I'm gushing, but this book is worth it, as are all the Bradbury books I've read. I'm telling you folks, he really must have met a carnival of his own at some crossroads or other and given in to the temptations he has his own characters face, and so help me I'm glad he did. show less

I've read very little Bradbury ([Farhenheit 451], definitely, a long time ago; maybe some short stories?), so I was unprepared for his use of language here. The descriptions! The way he puts things! I was mad at him for being so good at it by the bottom of the first page! And the way he captures adolescence. And friendship. And the relationship between father and son and old and young. AND THE SCARY BITS. I had a nightmare, an actual nightmare, after reading this before bed. And then there's the end, the way it all gets resolved, that by rights should be kind of twee and ISN'T. I was just surprised, pleasantly, all around. Recommended.

My favorite Bradbury novel, and one that it seems (from reading the reviews here) is widely misunderstood. It's not about the boys, people. It's about middle age and getting old, and looking back, and wondering how you got from there to here. It's about death. It's about wanting a second chance and the horror of perhaps getting what you want. It's about so many things, all wrapped up in a poison candy wrapper of twilight circuses and big canvas banners that promise much more than what they really intend to deliver.

Two boys have their friendship and their courage tested when a sinister carnival comes to their small, late-October town. I suspect Bradbury himself may have made a dark deal with a demonic side show hustler at some point in his career, because his way with words and the stories he wields them to tell is so good it must be supernatural. Everything about this book is gorgeous: the plot is perfectly creepy without staining the comforting and nostalgic small-town setting, and the characters are perfectly drawn. The bad guys are instilled with just the right amount of pure wickedness without feeling like caricatures, and the heroes are so wonderfully human that you can feel your heart breaking for both wanting to cry for them and the show more happiness they cause in you. Will's father in particular now has a place high in the ranks of Best Fictional Fathers of All Time, right up there with Danny the Champion of the World's dad. I feel I'm gushing, but this book is worth it, as are all the Bradbury books I've read. I'm telling you folks, he really must have met a carnival of his own at some crossroads or other and given in to the temptations he has his own characters face, and so help me I'm glad he did. show less

Summary: A carnival comes to Green Town out of season and two boys, Jim and Will fight to escape the clutches of the sinister carnival master Mr. Dark.

An odd lightning rod salesman cues us that this will be a dark story. It is October 23, but the storm he predicted never came and the lightning rod atop Jim Nightshade’s house wasn’t needed. Or was it. Something darker came to town that night–a mysterious carnival with proprietors Cooger and Dark. It’s an odd time of year for a carnival. The boys, Jim and and his friend Will Halloway, spy it out as it arrives at 3 am, taking shape out of the dark clouds of the night. Will’s father, a janitor at the library, who revels in spending his life among its books, senses something dark show more as well. Carnivals don’t come in October. Or do they?

They come back the next morning, spot Mrs. Foley, their teacher who emerges from a mirror maze not quite right. That’s all that’s not right. The carousel seems to be out of order. They explore only to be dragged off by Mr. Dark. Hiding, they see Mr. Cooger ride the carousel backward and become a boy, who wheedles his way into Mrs. Foley’s house, pretending to be her nephew.

The boys follow. Mrs. Foley is nowhere to be seen but as Cooger rides to return to his age, the boys jam the controls aging him past a hundred. And they are now on Mr. Dark’s radar. Dark lures people with their desires–and feeds upon them. A parade comes the next day through town while a little girl, the former Mrs. Foley, weeps in the bushes. Dark and his Witch search everywhere for Jim and Will but encounter only Will’s father, who becomes their enemy by laughing at them. All this sets up the climactic confrontation as Dark captures the boys and Halloway must confront the evil that has invaded Green Town.

Bradbury gives us a truly gripping and insightful portrayal of evil. It is more than transgressions. It is the darkness, the nothingness that consumes, that plays on and distorts human desire, shriveling lives. The story depicts the webs of illusion that hold those who give way to it. Yet Charles Halloway discovers that this dark nothingness may be defeated, that all its pretensions may be punctured by a little act, if only he can endure evil’s onslaught.

I missed this Bradbury as a kid, or don’t remember it. I may not have understood or liked it at the time. It is the darkest of his books, starkly in contrast to the first Green Town book, Dandelion Wine. Having seen more of the power of evil, its lures and the way it distorts and destroys, I appreciate Bradbury’s imaginative portrayal. We need those like Charles Halloway, who can discern evil, resist it, and recognize how it may be defeated. show less