something wicked this way comes full book

A prose masterclass by an author at the peak of his powers. Both are beautiful and accurate portrayals of boys on the cusp of adulthood. ‘Something Wicked…’ very much reminded King’s novella ‘Stand by Me’. This book is a clear influence on Stephen King, but not just his writing of horror. The carnival owners are deeply sinister, and the novel’s teenaged protagonists, full of the vim and certainty that comes with being fourteen. The tale is wrought by melding time-old themes:- Coming of age, the regret of a life unfulfilled and the perils of getting what you wish for. This doesn’t always make for an thrilling read, but soak yourself in his language, and the reward is entrancing.

Bradbury’s meandering descriptions are filled with metaphor and allusion. Description tends to be an accurate depiction of what is happening. Contemporary writers of the genre tend to use more direct, visceral prose. Fans of modern horror may not find the style to their liking.

Bradbury’s evocative description manages to be rambling, yet feels as though not a single word is redundant. The prose in ‘Something Wicked…’ is stylised, and has its own mystical quality. Bradbury adds a touch of the supernatural and a pinch of wish fulfilment to produce something truly terrifying. There is something other-worldly about them, with their freak-shows, bunko artists and silver-tongued magicians. Like clowns, carnivals are something that are supposed to entertain children and adults alike, yet in reality they are macabre and scary. It takes as its subject that stalwart of gothic fiction, the carnival troupe. In honour of the great man’s passing I bought the book. My mind reeled, was this just coincidence or had I inadvertently caused the death of one of science fiction’s greatest authors? OK, he was ninety-one, but did I have that sort of power? Well obviously not, but even now a small part of me wonders whether I should have checked out Jedward’s biography whilst I was there. When I arrived home, the news was just in. Instead I added it to ‘the list’, promising myself I would return soon. Being a sensible thrifty chap, I resisted the temptation to purchase there and then. I think it might be the finest opening line of all time. One line and I was hooked desperate for more. ‘The seller of lightning rods arrived just ahead of the storm.’ The neon green on black cover of this reissue certainly has appeal. I was in my local Waterstones (again) when an amazing cover caught my eye.

Something wicked this way comes full book