Something Wicked This Way Comes

Book by Ray Bradbury

Review by Jessica DeSalva

After attending Ray Bradbury’s panel at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books in association with UCLA last April I was eager to read more of his novels. Of course I had already read his internationally acclaimed science fiction novel, Fahrenheit 451, which deals with censorship and defiance, but still I was ready to dive into another one of his worlds.

Each time I read a book, I always ask myself, “I wonder what inspired the author?” Fortunately, Bradbury answered my question. He spoke about each life experience and inspiration that led to each of his brilliant creations. However, there was one story in particular that intrigued me. When Bradbury was 12 years old he had an encounter with a carnival magician named Mr. Electrico, who was part of what could be classified as a “freak carnival” in which the most obscure of human oddities is displayed. Each character he witnessed as a child was integrated into his 1962 novel, Something Wicked This Way Comes. The title itself may sound familiar if you have read Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth, in which the title is directly quoted from "By the pricking of my thumbs / Something wicked this way comes". As Macbeth may be rendered as a tragedy of moral order so may Something Wicked This Way Comes

The novel opens on a stormy October 23rd night in which the two thirteen year old protagonists, Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade are introduced by an encounter with a bizarre lighting rod salesman, who claims a storm is heading in their direction of Green Town, Illinois. Ironically, promptly at 3AM, the hour of the dead, Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show rolls into town. From the beginning Bradbury sets a sinister tone that continues to echo throughout the novel. Bradbury reveals each of the boys in different ways. Although the boys are best friends each represent entirely different personalities. Will takes on the realistic, reserve, empathic little boy who is not eager to grow up. However, Jim is quick to act and flawed by his tunnel vision, therefore, finds himself in drastic danger with the carnival. The boys soon discover the carnivals secret as they witness Mr. Cooger (co-partner of the carnival) ride the merry-go-round backwards, causing him to de-age into a young boy. From this point on the action picks up as the boys are discovered watching and chased the rest of the novel by the lead evil character, Mr. Dark, the illustrated man. He is covered in tattoos each representing a figure he exerts control over.

The chapters are short in length, making the novel an easy read and a page turner. His usage of rich imagery is amazing. At times I found myself re-reading pages just because of the rich language he uses to describe simply things, such as the library. A lot of the novel is written as a stream of consciousness for each character. Making it hard to keep track what is being said out loud and what isn’t.

I have to say what I love most about the novel is the satire on human nature. Bradbury has the ability to use his characters in order to evoke deep flaws that are present within individuals. The only thing that frightens the carnivals evil characters is happiness, the sound of laughter. Each figures feeds off of fear from its captive. The key as Charles Halloway discovers when faced with the evil Witch is belief that the magic doesn’t work. His laughter serves as a testament of how ridiculous her powers are. The same is evident in Mirror Mazes, once he accepts that what he is seeing is not the real image the mirrors crack and lose all their illusion hold. The power of belief is more powerful than even magic.

The novel is wonderful for those who relish in science fiction and a love for carnivals.