Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

I first read Bradbury’s work in 2019 when I took a political science course at my university for my undergrad. I remember that class like it was yesterday, I cried ALL THE TIME. I was learning so much that I didn’t know how to handle all of the atrocities I was learning about. My professor, Professor Joy talked about Fahrenheit 451, and I secretly bought the book during class because I was fascinated to learn that someone out there wrote a book about the destruction of books. I digress. Something Wicked This Way Comes is a fabulous piece of work. I read that book in a matter of days, four to be exact (and I would have finished sooner, but life got in the way as it does for everything). The story is about two little boys and the father of one of the boys and a spooky/scary carnival that only comes during October (I loved this because October is my ABSOLUTE favorite month of the year). I watched the movie back in 2016 (not realizing that this was Bradbury’s work) and thought, “Wow!!!!” Yes, the four exclamation marks are necessary. I was that impressed. I wanted to read the book and as always, the book is obviously way way way better than the movie. My favorite aspect of this book is the use of language Bradbury possesses in his writing. I mean, “Who on earth writes like that?” His syntax is, as the youngsters would say, “on point.” He creates wordy sentences that makes so much sense. He plays with language and defines what that means by challenging the average writing style. For example, “Good is no guarantee for your body. It’s mainly for peace of mind---.” (pg.124) And I think it uses Death as a threat. Death doesn’t exist. It never did, it never will.”) (pg.186) Or, and my personal favorite, “We can’t be good unless we know what bad is…” (pg.181) This use of language is so fascinating. How someone can take simple words, and simple ideas, and turn them into sentences, paragraphs, stories, and books is beyond me. I hope to write like that someday.

             It’s amazing that the climax of the story can take place at such a late point in the book and add such power to the reader and the story. Spoiler alert! The story is about happiness (at least that’s my opinion). The story is about a super spooky circus that travels to different places and uses people's fear and pain to keep the motors of the circus going and keep it alive. Will’s father (one of the boys) figures out that laughter and the lack of fear essentially kills these creatures, these monsters. It begs me to ask, was Bradbury teaching us a lesson in walking through fear and pain with love and joy in this book and everyone simply didn’t realize it? Did he write this story as a way to get his readers to think about what happiness can do for people? Choosing to be happy can eliminate all the spooky shit we hide in our closet. Fear of the circus, fear itself is a metaphor for the events that lead us to be miserable and cranky and sad people in real life. Joy, laughter, and happiness bring peace of mind. Freedom from dark bandages. Bradbury’s work is a perfect example of how keeping it simple really works. I rate this book at 100,000/10 simply because it is a work of art and I wish more people would read Bradbury’s work. **Hint Hint**