Helpful Score: 3
This is one of the few books I would say made a better movie than a story. The book didn't seem to flow in Bradbury's usual style; instead, the words sounded clunky together. I think the author dwelled a bit too long inside the character's heads and didn't progress the story with enough action. Also, one of the characters was "The Sand Witch." I couldn't take that seriously, as I kept imagining a flying ham on rye.
Recommended for those who love Bradbury anyway. Do yourself a favor and read this before you see the movie, as you'll no doubt want to read the book after watching it on the screen.
Recommended for those who love Bradbury anyway. Do yourself a favor and read this before you see the movie, as you'll no doubt want to read the book after watching it on the screen.
****Beware of the autumn people**
I like this book but I found the poetic writing style in some parts a little disorienting to what was actually happening in the scenes. And im still wondering where The Most Beautiful Woman in the World was in the carnival after Mr. Holloway read about her on the throw away carnival advertisement. But over all the story seems like a read for teens but Bradburys writing style and the Mr. Holloway character gives a level of depth to the reading that I enjoyed and wasn't expecting.
I like this book but I found the poetic writing style in some parts a little disorienting to what was actually happening in the scenes. And im still wondering where The Most Beautiful Woman in the World was in the carnival after Mr. Holloway read about her on the throw away carnival advertisement. But over all the story seems like a read for teens but Bradburys writing style and the Mr. Holloway character gives a level of depth to the reading that I enjoyed and wasn't expecting.
Helpful Score: 1
I remember watching the movie when I was younger. Its a later 80's maybe early 90's movie! wow, I had no clue it was a book, but even the movie creaped me out in some parts. Give it a try if you have already read the book. And yes, there is a weird merry-go-round too.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a very haunting book about a boy who gets in way over his head just to impress and keep a friend and risks losing his freedom and life. This was a great book (like most Bradbury books), and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good book that is also a quick read.
Helpful Score: 1
This book is difficult to read if you are used to reading good literature. The sentences are short and non discriptive. I have read children's book that flow better than this one. I am plodding through it just to see what happens. I never thought that I would say this about a book, in this case, the movie is better.
Helpful Score: 1
Classic sci-fi, with a dark heart. One of the must reads if you're a Ray Bradbury fan. Excellent writing and storytelling.
Helpful Score: 1
A very interesting book written in Bradbury's distinct sing-song style. Though it is difficult to follow at times, the basic story stays on the surface and keeps you turning the page.
I have been a fan of Bradbury's for years going back to my junior high school days in the 1960s. I have read many of his works and always enjoy them. But for some reason, I had never read Something Wicked This Way Comes, one of his most highly regarded novels. I have actually had this paperback copy of the book on my shelves for more than ten years and glad I finally got around to reading it.
The book is set in the fictional Green Town which was also the setting of one of my Bradbury favorites, Dandelion Wine. But while Dandelion Wine was set during the summer and was a very nostalgic look at the past, Something Wicked is set close to Halloween and is a very dark fantasy novel. It's about two 13-year-old friends who were born a day apart, Jim Nightshade and William Halloway. The friends are typical boys seeking adventure and wanting to grow older. When a traveling carnival comes to town, they're the first to venture to its grounds when it is being set up at 3 am in the morning. This all leads to some very nightmarish experiences involving the carnival leader, Mr. Dark, who is able to change people's lives and grant them their desires. But at what cost? Dark is covered in tattoos and is also called "The Illustrated Man" (another great Bradbury collection), and he is really a very malevolent being who enslaves people and lives off their life forces. So the boys witness some things they shouldn't have which brings the forces of the Mr. Dark and the carnival against them. But Will's father, Charles, the janitor at the local library, is there to counter the forces of evil ... is he strong enough to prevail?
I really enjoyed this one and glad I finally got to it. Although the novel was very dark, it was also very nostalgic and emphasized life in a small town from the past. It also had themes that Bradbury has shown in his other works such as longing to be young again or conversely wanting to be older. I know this novel was also mentioned by Stephen King in a few of his works including The Dead Zone and Needful Things. It was also definitely an influence in his novel, IT. The carnival in the story keeps appearing after many years, as researched by Charles Halloway which is similar to the appearances of Pennywise in IT. There is also a movie version of this made by Disney that I have never seen that I will be on the watch for. Strong overall recommendation!
The book is set in the fictional Green Town which was also the setting of one of my Bradbury favorites, Dandelion Wine. But while Dandelion Wine was set during the summer and was a very nostalgic look at the past, Something Wicked is set close to Halloween and is a very dark fantasy novel. It's about two 13-year-old friends who were born a day apart, Jim Nightshade and William Halloway. The friends are typical boys seeking adventure and wanting to grow older. When a traveling carnival comes to town, they're the first to venture to its grounds when it is being set up at 3 am in the morning. This all leads to some very nightmarish experiences involving the carnival leader, Mr. Dark, who is able to change people's lives and grant them their desires. But at what cost? Dark is covered in tattoos and is also called "The Illustrated Man" (another great Bradbury collection), and he is really a very malevolent being who enslaves people and lives off their life forces. So the boys witness some things they shouldn't have which brings the forces of the Mr. Dark and the carnival against them. But Will's father, Charles, the janitor at the local library, is there to counter the forces of evil ... is he strong enough to prevail?
I really enjoyed this one and glad I finally got to it. Although the novel was very dark, it was also very nostalgic and emphasized life in a small town from the past. It also had themes that Bradbury has shown in his other works such as longing to be young again or conversely wanting to be older. I know this novel was also mentioned by Stephen King in a few of his works including The Dead Zone and Needful Things. It was also definitely an influence in his novel, IT. The carnival in the story keeps appearing after many years, as researched by Charles Halloway which is similar to the appearances of Pennywise in IT. There is also a movie version of this made by Disney that I have never seen that I will be on the watch for. Strong overall recommendation!
This is my favorite book of all time!
horror book you can't put down
changed my life. everyone can relate to this book.
Scary carnivals, Dr. Dark, and a heavy good v. evil allegory? All this needs is Tom Waits playing in the background while you read and you've got yourself one helluva uncanny experience.
I love Ray Bradbury. What a great story!
A great story by the master, Ray Bradbury. I had a fear of merry-go-rounds as a youth after reading this! Spooky!!!
The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. The shrill siren song of a calliope beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this season of dying, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinistery mystery. And two boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all to well the heavy cost of wishes... and the stuff of nightmare.
classic sci-fi
Ugh, a hard read. Made myself read it, but did not enjoy it. EVERY sentence does not need to be the most magnificent sentence ever written. A lot of it just didn't make sense.
Movie was much better!
Movie was much better!
I got about half way through this before I had to put it down and take a break. Most stories that involve carnivals and darkness are something that I will like but this is one book that I just couldn't get into. Very disappointing on many levels.
One of the children's classics! I enjoy all of Bradbury's works.
This was a book club pick. Some of us loved it and some of us couldn't finish it.
This was a quick and easy read. I think it took me three hours from beginning to end. The language is haunting and poetic, you can tell Bradbury is using a significant number of forms borrowed directly from poetry. The storyline is intriguing and ultimately deals with our nature as humans and our desires to always be in some other time rather than in the present moment.
This book is a MUST READ for any fan of fantasy stories. Bradbury's always had the gift of taking the everyday mundane events, and turning them into something wicked...
I still remember the part of the story were Mr. Halloway tells the boys about "The Autumn People." That still sends shivers down my spine.
And MR. DARK is quite essentially the most creative and memorable sinister character.
I still remember the part of the story were Mr. Halloway tells the boys about "The Autumn People." That still sends shivers down my spine.
And MR. DARK is quite essentially the most creative and memorable sinister character.
This book is a classic!
Good to read an old favorite again just a classic Bradbury and he has always a interesting way with words
I read this book years ago,so i ordered it.I love it1 I will not trade this copy,it will be on my "Favorite reads" shelf.
One of my top ten books of all time...Read it as a child, and still love it as an adult!
I enjoyed this book. I thought it was an easy read with an entertaining plot. It would be a nice book to read around Halloween. I only gave it three stars because it's a book that only needs to be read once and it's a story that doesn't stick with you.
