Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

[Bondama]

Alondra: you've reminded me of just how beautiful Bradbury can be......thank you.

[Tracy]

Chris wrote: "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 ..."

I felt the same way Chris. I was drawn in to the story more because of the poetry, and yet I did not care for The Night Circus which I have seen this compared too. Wierd.

[Alondra]

Bondama wrote: "Alondra: you've reminded me of just how beautiful Bradbury can be......thank you."

you are so very welcome.. :)

[Cynthia]

I finally finished the book and have to say it got much better at the halfway point and beyond.

[Staci]

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 agree, it is very poetic. This is my first time reading it and I am halfway thru. I've read Dandelion Wine and The Martian Chronicles; he is the perfect author if you want to have your senses involved. Just my opinion.

[Staci]

Stefan wrote: "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 c..."

Not finished yet but it has the same 'feeling' as It, I felt that during the library with his father; early in the book.

[Stefan]

Staci wrote: "Stefan wrote: "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 ..."

Yep, the library, a lot of what the boys do throughout the tale, and the carnival fits in with Pennywise.

[Staci]

Alondra wrote: "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..."

I'm enjoying the poetic nature of this story. You have to get used to it at first but then it touches your senses and you feel immersed in the setting. I'm enjoying it.

[Staci]

Chris wrote: "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 ..."

You definitely should read The Martian Chronicles; outstanding book.

[Staci]

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 ..."

OMG too funny; and yes I agree.

[Alondra]

Staci wrote: "Alondra wrote: "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..."

good choice of words... 'immersed' ... i like that. :D

[Summer]

Cynthia wrote: "Anyone else having trouble getting through this book? I'm pushing through but slow going."

I'm having a hard time, too. I haven't read Bradbury before, but the style of the prose makes it difficult for me to differentiate action from internal monologue. That in turn makes it really hard to read in shorter bursts. I was hoping this would be a little Needful Things-ish, but it's a trek to get to the pages that I assume contain some plot.

[Brent]

Unfortunately I didn't get to start this until today. So far, so good, though. He does have a little bit of an interesting style thats a bit challenging to navigate but I'm muddling through. . . so far.

[April]

Just finished! I LOVED LOVED LOVED the story but did not care for the poetic style. Actually, that's not true. I didn't mind the poetic style but I would have LOVED more detail into the story. There were so many unanswered questions. I don't mind a few unanswered questions, but I do like a cohesive story that does not involve so much guess work.

My favorite chapter is chapter 31. It made me laugh. My favorite quote: (view spoiler)["By the pricking of my thumbs, Something wicked this way comes." (hide spoiler)]

The most frightening for me: (view spoiler)[Just the thought of having my eyes or lips sewn shut is enough to make me tremble. When reading about this, I was instantly reminded of dean Koontz's
Intensity . Quite possible that Koontz has also been influenced by Bradbury (hide spoiler)]

I too, saw the resemblance to King's It and The Running Man. Actually, I saw an influence to King throughout the entire book. However, The King is the The King and I would read Stephen King over Bradbury any day!

[Carol]

I stayed up until 1:30am last night to finish this! I've only read Fahrenheit 451 and I don't remember this poetic style. I think it really fit with the dreamy quality of the story.
I understand wanting answers to questions, but I feel like the mystery and suspense added to the spookiness of the whole thing.

[April]

Carol wrote: "I stayed up until 1:30am last night to finish this! I've only read Fahrenheit 451 and I don't remember this poetic style. I think it really fit with the dreamy quality of the story.
I understand w..."

Carol, like you, the only other Bradbury book I had read was . I feel the same in that I don't remember that poetic style.

[Bana AZ]

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."

Yes! I totally thought of this, too. I read Something Wicked before reading Needful Things (I'm not done with the latter) and just a few pages into Needful Things my mind went directly to Something Wicked. I'm seriously thinking that the first book influenced Stephen King's book.

Although I liked Bradbury's book, I thought it was a little bit too young for me so I only gave it 3 stars. But if I read this when I was nearer the age of the main characters, I'm sure I would have given it 5 stars.

April, I didn't think your favorite quote ("By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes") was a spoiler since Bradbury got it from Shakespeare. :)

[Summer]

I finally finished this, though it felt like a bit of a slog. I particularly enjoyed Will's dad -- I thought his character arc was fantastic and I loved (view spoiler)[watching him emerge as the hero he didn't think he could be. (hide spoiler)]

One that that confused me, however, was (view spoiler)[the seeming lack of relationship between the people Mr. Dark collected and the freaks they became. I thought it would be more poignant or symbolic somehow. That left me wanting more. As others have said, I'm also really curious about Jim's age and how he and Will fared afterward. (hide spoiler)]

[Staci]

I've always enjoyed Bradbury and it stands true with this novel. I especially liked the lecture in chapter 39 (view spoiler)[ when Charles and the two boys are in the library planning their next move. He talks to both boys about the nature of good and evil to show them they do have a way out. Incredible writing that makes you think as you read. (hide spoiler)]

[Staci]

Since finishing Something Wicked I've read October Country which then led me to read From the Dust Returned; hurrying to finish by Halloween.
Here's a plan for you, if you are interested, start with October Country and read short stories, Uncle Einer and The Homecoming.Then read From the Dust Returned. Enjoy.
Almost forgot - Martian Chronicles was my first Bradbury; I've since read it 3 times and I am ready to return to that amazing red planet.

[Jason]

Staci wrote: "I've always enjoyed Bradbury and it stands true with this novel. I especially liked the lecture in chapter 39 [spoilers removed]"

Chapter 39 really stood out for me this year as well, Staci.

[Angie, Constant Reader]

I am glad that this book lead you to reading other Bradbury novels Staci!

[Kim]

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 had a lot of trouble getting through this book too. I did finish, but it took me a lot longer than I wanted it too. Was not a fan of the flowery prose at all.

[Staci]

Angie wrote: "I am glad that this book lead you to reading other Bradbury novels Staci!"

Just finished From the Dust Returned - what a tremendous author; I do love his poetic style. Sometimes it is good to move away from other styles and immerse yourself in something such as Bradbury.