Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Let's discuss our spooky October read here! Please be sure to mark all spoilers so that others can read through the read while reading along!!

[Alondra]

wow, i am so unattentive. did not know this was october read and just finished reading it a few days ago. I will chime in with how poetic i think this book read. It really brought out my imagination with how it described what the characters were feeling and what they experienced without being cheesy.

[Dustin]

I'd really love to join the group read, as I haven't ever read this one and Bradbury is easily a favorite author of mine, but I don't own a copy plus I have much on my plate now...

[Alondra]

Dustin wrote: "I'd really love to join the group read, as I haven't ever read this one and Bradbury is easily a favorite author of mine, but I don't own a copy plus I have much on my plate now..."

it is a very short book if you find a copy and/or time. i think it is right up your alley, though. :)

[Dustin]

Alondra wrote: "Dustin wrote: "I'd really love to join the group read, as I haven't ever read this one and Bradbury is easily a favorite author of mine, but I don't own a copy plus I have much on my plate now..."
..."

Yes, I'm sure it is right up my alley.:) Thank you.

[Cynthia]

This will be my first ray bradbury book.

[Dustin]

Cynthia wrote: "This will be my first ray bradbury book."

Oh wow, that is AWESOME news, Cynthia!!:) Bradbury's an amazing writer, IMO!

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Try the library! That is where I got my copy. I love this book too!

[Tracy]

Cynthia wrote: "This will be my first ray bradbury book."

Mine too, Cynthia.
I just started it tonight and am enjoying it so far.

[Jason]

This is one of my favorites and the one novel I make sure to reread every October. This year will be my 20th reading of it.

As for why I like it so much, without giving away any spoilers, the main reason is as Alondra said above, the poetic nature of the prose. It's common to all of Bradbury's work but it is a little more evident in this novel and Dandelion Wine, at least to me.

[Alondra]

Jason wrote: "This is one of my favorites and the one novel I make sure to reread every October. This year will be my 20th reading of it.

As for why I like it so much, without giving away any spoilers, the mai..."

i think half of my updates were passages from the book. loved it!

[Kit★]

I just read this one last month with the Fantasy Aficionados group. It wasn't my first Bradbury, I read Fahrenheit 451 back in school, but it was my second :) I enjoyed it a lot, though at first it took me a little bit to get into the whole poetic tone of it. But once I did it was very good, and just a little spooky. I definitely want to read more Bradbury now, very much looking forward to it. I'm hanging on to this one too, I think it's a keeper.

[Tim]

I had to order my copy off Amazon. For some reason this isn't available as an ebook, so I'l have to wait for the paperback to arrive in a few days. Looking forward to it :)

[Angie, Constant Reader]

I like it!!! (view spoiler)[I do love the spookiness of a carnival coming through town. I can't wait to find out what is going on, why the two boys know what's going on and no one else does. Is it because they are children and see things for what they are instead of adults who find reason in everything. If that's the case what about the dad? So I am looking forward to part 2. (hide spoiler)]

I am surprised it's not available in ebook format!

[Stefan]

I actually just finished this one as part of a group read in another group. One thing that I found interesting especially concerning this group is (and I don't have any idea if this is indeed the case or not,) I got a strong feeling at several times throughout the novel that this story may have had a heavy influence on It. See what you guys think while you're reading this.

[Alondra]

Angie wrote: "I like it!!! [spoilers removed]

I am surprised it's not available in ebook format!"

angie, think about your spoiler. doesn't it remind you of Stephen Kings IT?? (view spoiler)[Only the kids could 'see' the horrors that were happening around them; because of their willingness to believe? to imagine? I think the dad was the same in some ways. He still kept some child-like qualities. (hide spoiler)]

[Stefan]

Alondra wrote: angie, think about your spoiler. doesn't it remind you of Stephen Kings IT?? [spoilers removed]"

Well, looks like you and I are definitely on the same page.

[Jason]

Hmmm, I've been thinking of giving IT another read lately. It's been a long time since I've read IT but from what I remember I think you guys are right that Something Wicked....was probably a big influence.

[J.W.]

I was struggling through this for a while. The fact that Bradbury compares everything to green cheese is a big literary turn off. I had to put it down and stop reading it (I very seldom do this with a book). I'm a big Bradbury fan, but perhaps this will be one I'll appreciate more at a later time/date.

[Tim]

Jesse wrote: "I was struggling through this for a while. The fact that Bradbury compares everything to green cheese is a big literary turn off. I had to put it down and stop reading it (I very seldom do this wit..."

I'm a little worried as I usually don't enjoy older books very much. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

[Chris]

I first read this two years ago. I was able to check out this on audio book from the library as a digital download. I loved the audio version because it was basically a radio drama with a full cast of characters, and sound effects. Listening to this in the dark of my home alone was great. Just creepy enough to make the sound of the tree on the window make me jump. I look forward to discussing this more with everyone.

[J.W.]

Tim wrote: "Jesse wrote: "I was struggling through this for a while. The fact that Bradbury compares everything to green cheese is a big literary turn off. I had to put it down and stop reading it (I very seld..."

See I'm the opposite; most often than not, I love older fiction. It has a charm that is not prevalent in much of today's modern fiction.

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Chris wrote: "I first read this two years ago. I was able to check out this on audio book from the library as a digital download. I loved the audio version because it was basically a radio drama with a full cast..."

I need to listen to audio books more often!

[Chris]

Angie wrote: "Chris wrote: "I first read this two years ago. I was able to check out this on audio book from the library as a digital download. I loved the audio version because it was basically a radio drama wi..."

You should, it is pretty much the only way I can get through a day at work. I have read most of my books this year through audio.

[Tracy]

I am loving this book. The poetic writing style coupled with the suspense and mystery is fantastic! I'm halfway through now and will be up late tonight!

[Angie, Constant Reader]

Has anyone seen the movie? I thought the movie was good. As a kid I would've been scared! A few things I didn't like, the Dust Witch for one. I pictured her much different and was hoping for the creepiness in the movie. Also I didn't feel like the carrousel played as big of a role as it should've. But I did think for being a kid's movie it works. I thought the cast is an excellent cast and it's amazing how much some of the actor's have aged.

[Alondra]

Stefan wrote: "Alondra wrote: angie, think about your spoiler. doesn't it remind you of Stephen Kings IT?? [spoilers removed]"

Well, looks like you and I are definitely on the same page."

hello... :)

we lose our innocence and thereby lose our ability to 'see' .... shown pretty well in this book. adults in these books also cannot survive an 'attack' by those who are harmful (?)

[Bondama]

Stefan and Alondra -- you put the basic premise of both books so very well.

Stephen King once wrote (in "Danse Macabre") that if one conducted an experiment by taking one adult who had been given a tab of LSD to "get him to a child's perception" and one child to see "Texas Chainsaw Massacre"- the child would simply dismiss it, or add it to his collection of imaginary enemies (i.e., the under-the-bed-monster)

But the poor adult would be reduced to writing letters in crayon from an institution.

[Alondra]

Bondama wrote: "Stefan and Alondra -- you put the basic premise of both books so very well.

Stephen King once wrote (in "Danse Macabre") that if one conducted an experiment by taking one adult who had been given ..."

bwahahaha.... that is just perfect! Sounds about right, i must say. :D

[Cynthia]

Anyone else having trouble getting through this book? I'm pushing through but slow going. Maybe not big fan of this author

[Courtney]

Cynthia wrote: "Anyone else having trouble getting through this book? I'm pushing through but slow going. Maybe not big fan of this author"

I liked this book overall, but the prose did become tedious for me after awhile.

I wouldn't let the style in Something Wicked stop you from reading other Bradbury though. I haven't read much by him, but I've read Fahrenheit 451, and it's not written in the same flowery, poetic style.

[Lee]

Cynthia wrote: "Anyone else having trouble getting through this book? I'm pushing through but slow going. Maybe not big fan of this author"

I too am having trouble with this one. I agree with Courtney, I believe it is the poetic style of the writing. While I find the story itself quite good, I find myself more irritated than not with the prose and the constant mention of the moon whether green or otherwise.

I will finish the book, but it may take the rest of the month to do so. I have other reads set for October that I feel will keep me more involved and wanting to read than this one.

[Tracy]

I just got this from the library. I haven't read it before, weird.

[Cynthia]

I'm going to push through it but not a fan as of right now.

[Tracy]

I just finished and I guess I am in the minority, because I really enjoyed this book.

[Dustin]

Tracy wrote: "I just got this from the library. I haven't read it before, weird."

Hi, Tracy!

Have you read Bradbury's work before?

[Alondra]

I found it easy and intelligent writing. I think if you are looking for a typical horror book, then this is not it. Preconceived notions of what the book is will leave you wanting...

[Chris]

Alondra wrote: "I found it easy and intelligent writing. I think if you are looking for a typical horror book, then this is not it. Preconceived notions of what the book is will leave you wanting..."

I will agree, this is not a horror story by any means. However, it is a great read for Halloween and I am so glad to re-read this one. As long as you go into this book thinking it will just be a fun fall/Halloween read I would hope that readers won't be disappointed.

[Tracy]

Dustin wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I just got this from the library. I haven't read it before, weird."

Hi, Tracy!

Have you read Bradbury's work before?"

No Dustin this will be my first.

[Dustin]

Tracy wrote: "Dustin wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I just got this from the library. I haven't read it before, weird."

Hi, Tracy!

Have you read Bradbury's work before?"

No Dustin this will be my first."

I highly recommend him, Tracy. Hopefully you enjoy this one.:)

[Chris]

So I decided to start re-reading this today. I think what I like so much about this book is the feelings and memories it brings forth in me.

It makes me remember when I was a kid running around the neighborhood and stirring up mysteries and trouble. I do like the characters in this story and the small town feel. It has the same small town feel of many of King's novels so even though this is my second time reading it I am still really enjoying it.

[Chris]

So here's a question, Did Mr Dark feel similar to Leland Gaunt in Needful Things. The characters feel very similar as I progress through this book.

[Alondra]

Chris wrote: "So here's a question, Did Mr Dark feel similar to Leland Gaunt in Needful Things. The characters feel very similar as I progress through this book."

oohh, good one. I hadn't thought of that. Leland liked to stir things up... a little mischief here and there. Leland seemed like the devil himself; and Mr Dark more of a pawn of evil.

[Chris]

Alondra wrote: "Chris wrote: "So here's a question, Did Mr Dark feel similar to Leland Gaunt in Needful Things. The characters feel very similar as I progress through this book."

oohh, good one. I hadn't thought ..."

I agree but Mr. Dark had this control over the adults by trying to bribe them with things (view spoiler)[like being younger and he feeds off there fear. (hide spoiler)] I just kept feeling like this was who Leland could have been based off of, or maybe even Leland was a more practiced Mr. Dark. I know King is a big fan of Bradbury so it doesn't seem like a stretch to think he based Leland off of Mr. Dark.

[Alondra]

Chris wrote: "Alondra wrote: "Chris wrote: "So here's a question, Did Mr Dark feel similar to Leland Gaunt in Needful Things. The characters feel very similar as I progress through this book."

oohh, good one. I..."

true; if it were the same author, I would say it is pretty much the same person. Like Kings walking man, man in black, randall flagg character... mmmm

[Angie, Constant Reader]

(view spoiler)[It also took me a while to get through the book. Somethings I was confused, for example why did Mr. Cooger go to Miss Foley's house as her nephew? Was it to get her to the carnival? But why her? Then at the end how did Jim go back to being young? By the dad and Will laughing? I thought that was just to bring him back to life and it never really mentioned if Jim was young again or not.

I really did enjoy the idea of the book. The evil carnival coming to town, and even Stephen King used this idea in one of his book after reading this book. I do think the Illustrated Man was a very scary character. Still I would've liked more background on the carnival instead of the rhymes about it. I think the dad was trying to explain it when they were in the library with all the books he had laid out but it still wasn't enough background just riddles. Which I guess adds to the mystery of the carnival.

(hide spoiler)]

[Chris]

I agree Angie, I wish there was more background to the story. As much as I love this story I wish there was more.

(view spoiler)[ I like to think that Mr Cooger made up the whole story so he could lure her to the carnival. Mr. Dark seems to collect people for his show and he feeds off their fear. Kind of like how he collected the Lightning rod sales man as the dwarf. (hide spoiler)]. I did wonder why you had given it 2 stars since you seemed to like it at first. Now I understand your points.

[Bondama]

Ray Bradbury, one of the very best known sci-fi and fantasy novels, can be a VERY uneven writer. Sadly, his love of poetry gets in the way of his stories quite frequently. This is how I always classified "Something Wicked..."

But..."The Martian Chronicles" and "Fahrenheit 451" are totally different books - different style, cohesive writing -- these two (particularly the first) are genuine classics of this genre.

[Chris]

I did really enjoy Fahrenheit 451 and one day I plan on reading the Martian Chronicles, but I have to saw, for me Something Wicked... is my favorite of his books. Where the poetic style would have bothered me normally there was something about this story that made me look past it. I am glad we can talk about it here.

[Alondra]

One of my status updates:

Alondra Miller is on page 134 of 215 of Something Wicked This Way Comes
This book reads like poetry. "The night was sweet with the dust of autumn leaves that smelled as if the fine sands of ancient Egypt were drifting to dunes beyond the town."

I really enjoyed this book and am sorry so many did not. :)