"By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes..." -MacBeth, Shakespeare

Not only is the title of this book one of my all time favorites (who doesn't like Shakespeare?), but this author also wrote Fahrenheit 451. Ray Bradbury has created a very amusing tale about two boys and a carnival. Sound like fun? Think again. While carnivals and scary stories may only make you think of evil clowns or uncanny psychics, 'Something Wicked This Way Comes' will give you a new worry to indulge.

Bradbury finds a way to pack in all the great creepy things we hope *not* to see at town functions without you even noticing. If your one of those people who let themselves get sucked into a good story, then you will love 'Something Wicked...' (hey, it's a long title!). While the language style is somewhat philosophical/fanciful, it adds depth to the dark folktale-in-the-making story being told. The characters are believable, if not a little surprising, and the carnival workers/freaks/owners are amazingly creative. I expected a simple story about kids getting scared to death by some evil fair, but instead got a unique classic that I can easily recommend to anyone who needs a little thrill.

As long as you have no desire to question the workings of this story you will enjoy it thoroughly. Why does a smile and laughter conquer evil? Why does a seemingly quiet and depressed man suddenly find courage to help his son? Why does a carnival go around with their magical carousel taking people after ruining their lives? Why would hugging someone evil kill them? Like a psychiatrist I will answer these questions with a new question -who cares? It really doesn't matter because the story is so incredible it all makes sense. It seems completely logical that the blind witch can kill you with her muttering. It also feels right when someone named 'Mr. Dark' is covered in tattoos depicting the faces/general image of all his victims. It just makes sense when you read chapter after chapter of haunting descriptions by Bradbury. The blackness of the night when all the carnival people show up, the glow of Mr. Electrico when he is revived by electricity, the music played by the carousel, and the smile carved into a bullet all draws the eager reader into this magical and strange world where anything can (and will) happen.

This book also explores human nature, our weaknesses, and the strength of friendship. Our two main characters, Will's father not included till later in the story, have been friends for years and contrast each other in many symbolic ways. Jim Nightshade, the dark and brooding boy born on Halloween, is drawn to the promise of adulthood the carnival can give. Will Halloway, the blonde angel boy born on All Saint's Day (ironic?), on the other hand, wants to stay as far away as possible after seeing one of the carnival owners take a ride into the past by becoming twelve again. I really don't blame him, but where's the story in someone hiding in their attic for three or four days till a carnival leaves town? I didn't think so.

Even if most of the characters from the carnival, and some of the action scenes, are far fetched, it all adds to the fairytale nightmare effect the book gives off. The rooftop battle between Will and the Dust Witch might just make your heart do a few extra beats, so might the library scene near the end of the book. But why spoil the surprise? I will merely say the ending was satisfactory and just as random as the rest of the book : )

Ending Points:
+ Fairytale like language, even though it takes a few pages to get used to it...
+ Random and sufficiently creepy plot twists
+ Memorable characters, both good and evil, that rival other classics
- It actually *does* take a little bit to get used to this writing style, and there were a few grammatical mistakes I got hung up on, but they were few and the story more than makes up for it
- It may annoy some that Jim continuously wants to go back to the carousel...even after it is grouped with the evil people, and that no one ever finds Miss Foley