Review: Something Wicked This Way Comes

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have a weird relationship with Ray Bradbury; while I tend to really like his concepts and themes the actual writing always leaves me sort of dissatisfied and I mist admit a bit bored. I never did enjoy Farenheit 451. However, I enjoyed what little I read of Dandelion Wine and since this was another coming of age story I wanted to give it a go.

I've always loved stories about faustian deals and considering it was adapted by Disney, I had high hopes for it.

As always the themes and ideas are lovely, the setting out of the story and characters was delightful and excited. I loved the contrast between the two boys and loved the imagery used to describe Jim, half in light, half in shadow. But this is my problem with Bradbury, a lot of imagery and not enough action. There's so much philosophical rambling in this book that it ends up eating away at its suspense and excitement.

I hated how instead of having the children figure out the carnival themselves, Will's father ended up telling them everything in a huge info dump. I though it was a waste of good characters.

I also got very little sense of tension when dealing with the temptation supposedly presented to Will's father and Jim. I never felt like Will's father was in any danger of being seduced by the carnival and that seemed a bit of a let down after being privy to his fears of aging and his longing for boyhood.

But what I DO love is how utterly quotable Bradbury is. His screed on the autumn people is fantastic and the way the book ends with the idea that taking possession of the carousel and using it, even without the manipulative influence of Mr. Dark, could turn them into autumn people themselves. Now that's temptation right there!

All in all and in spite of its flaws I'm glad I read this book. It's a classic of faustian stories and its influence stretches all over. Finally I know where one of my favorite roleplaying games got the term "autumn people". Also, now I'm finally allowed to watch the Disney movie!

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