Few American novels written this century have endured in th heart and mind as has this one-Ray Bradbury’s incomparable masterwork of the dark fantastic. A carnival rolls in sometime after the midnight hour on a chill Midwestern October eve, ushering in Halloween a week before its time. A calliope’s shrill siren song beckons to all with a seductive promise of dreams and youth regained. In this … season of dying, Cooger & Dark’s Pandemonium Shadow Show has come to Green Town, Illinois, to destroy every life touched by its strange and sinister mystery. And two inquisitive boys standing precariously on the brink of adulthood will soon discover the secret of the satanic raree-show’s smoke, mazes, and mirrors, as they learn all too well the heavy cost of wishes — and the stuff of nightmare.
more
One of my favorite books of all time.
This is the granddaddy of haunted carnival novels and is a classic in every respect. The characters are wonderful, the scenes evocative and haunting and the ideas engaging. One of my all-time favorites!!
I thought this was a very enjoyable story. It was entertaining and had me curious as to how things would progress. It took me quite awhile to adjust to Bradbury’s writing style, which, especially in the early portions of the book, uses a tremendous amount of metaphors and imagery. I found myself losing sight of the story itself among all of …
Classic book ahead of it’s time,great read.
A classic for a reason (and one of those classics that you don’t have to force yourself to slog to. This is a real page turner).
Conjures up all of the terrors of childhood. Wonderfully creepy.
I reread this one a couple of weeks ago because I had loved it so much as a young adult, and I was glad for it. What a fun, creepy read!
The glory of this book is in how it changes with you.
I read it as a young man. I read it for the mystery and adventure and joy of being young. And I loved it. I read it for Will and Jim and all the dark things that hunt you in the night.
I’ve read it again recently and I understand the father so much more now. The hero for me had changed and I …
One of the first things that I noticed about this book is its superb writing, which felt much more modern than the book actually is. The world feels like it could apply to any era, with only some slight mentions to its actual era, like the price of a cigar as an example. As someone that grew up in a rural town, this book reminded me of my younger …
After Fahrenheit 451 I wasn’t sure I wanted to read more Bradbury. But, I loved the movie Something Wicked This Way Comes. This book did not disappoint. Bradbury’s prose will not appeal to everyone. I was transported into the minds of two young boys and a father that feels he’s too old to connect with his son. Can being good defeat evil?
He’s a national treasure. A great writer a great inspiration and all around greatly appreciated
A classic!
One of my perennial favorites, goes beyond the horror genre, depicting the range of human foibles (and triumph) in classic small-town America.
A beautifully written coming of age story that is both fun and creepy. Two friends on the eve of their birthday experience a carnival like no other. What follows is a story of survival, friendship, and loss. This was truly an interesting read that left me awed. I truly love Bradbury’s writing and look forward to reading more of his work.
One of my favorites! The two hometown boys are perfectly written (reminds me of King) and the carnival characters are so rich and creepy, I’ve read it multiple times. I wish I would have conceived of the Illustrated Man!
Bradbury is one of my favorite authors. He is a very imaginative storyteller.
This book ism about two young boys – William “Will” Halloway and Jim Nightshade – both on the verge of their fourteenth birthdays, who encounter a strange lightning rod salesman. The rest . . . you’ll have to read. This book will NOT disappoint!
Edge of my seat experience. Memorable.
A terrific book for anyone from age 8 on up, forever.