Something Wicked This Way Comes

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Book Review:

Ray Bradbury (Fahrenheit 451 & The Martian Chronicles) released his horror/dark fantasy classic “Something Wicked This Way Comes” in 1962. Since then, it has become one of his most acclaimed works. Stephen King calls it…

“a darkly poetic tale… it is probably Bradbury’s best work”.

In 1983 it was adapted to film under the direction of Jack Clayton, and a Disney remake with Seth Grahame is presently in the works.

The story is set in a mid-western American town in the middle of the last century and features two boys in their turbulent early teen years. When a mysterious traveling carnival rolls into town, things begin to get strange - and downright creepy!! Hopes and dreams begin to metamorphose into living nightmares as reality warps and twists like molten glass.

Bradbury writes in a highly original voice, as much poetry as prose, conjuring up at once an atmosphere of dark tension and poignant beauty. I found myself enjoying not only the story, but the act of simply rolling the words around in my mind. Truly an amazing read!

Recommendation: if you’re looking for a paranormal gore-fest, move on. But if you’re in the mood for a literary masterpiece in the horror genre, this could be just what the doctor ordered.

 

Mr. Wedel

 

Author – Ray Bradbury

Publishing – Simon and Schuster, 1962

Genre – Horror/dark fantasy

Pages - 303


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