‘Death doesn’t exist. It never did, it never will…’
Published in 1962, Something Wicked This Way Comes is arguably science fiction legend Ray Bradbury’s most seminal work (alongside Fahrenheit 451). Beloved by Stephen King and parodied by both Rick and Morty and South Park, there is no denying that Bradbury’s haunting novel has left its imprint on popular culture (although the 1983 Disney adaptation has been largely forgotten). It’s also one of the most florid and poetic books I’ve ever read.
Will Holloway and Jim Nightshade are both on the verge of their respective 14th birthdays. Will clings to the familiar warmth of childhood like a comfort blanket while Jim can’t wait to grow up and experience everything the world has to offer. When a strange carnival arrives in their small town under the cover of darkness, the boys will have to fight off the insidious ringmaster Mr Dark whilst also embarking on a voyage of self-discovery.
Something Wicked This Way Comes is simple enough in terms of plotting, but as previously alluded to it is laced with elaborate metaphors and similies which results in a writing style that takes a little getting used to. Indeed, I struggled with the first two chapters. It soon becomes clear, however, that this is a book worth sticking with. Will and Jim make for likeable and believable protagonists, recognisable to anyone that has ever witnessed boys playing in the park or scavenging through the woods, but it is Will’s father Charles who ends up becoming the most compelling character in the final act.
Bradbury’s novel is a classic bildungsroman that deals with universal themes whilst also being esoteric and deeply strange. The sinister descriptions of the dark carnival stuck with me long after the book was back on the shelf (namely because an actual circus came to my town in the middle of me reading this book and lingered for a week or so afterwards) and there is no denying that Something Wicked This Way Comes remains a powerful coming-of-age tale even all these years later.