Cover of Something Wicked This Way Comes
Historical FantasyHorrorCircus & Carnival

Something Wicked This Way Comes

by

  • 1962 first published
  • 278 pages
  • ★ 4.1 (34 ratings)
  • 60 editions
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Something Wicked This Way Comes is a 1962 historical fantasy and horror play by Ray Bradbury. The story is set in Illinois and Argentina. It deals with boys, male friendship, fathers and sons and Carnival.

Open Library readers give it an average of 4.1 out of 5 from 34 ratings, and 392 more have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 60 editions across 5 languages.

At about 278 pages, most readers finish it in 5–6 hours.

About Something Wicked This Way Comes

Few American novels written this century have endured in the heart and memory as has Ray Bradbury's unparalleled literary classic SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES. For those who still dream and remember, for those yet to experience the hypnotic power of its dark poetry, step inside. The show is about to begin. The carnival rolls in sometime after midnight, ushering in Halloween a week early. The shrill siren song of a calliope 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 boys will discover the secret of its smoke, mazes, and mirrors; two friends who will soon know all too well the heavy cost of wishes. . .and the stuff of nightmare.
Description from Open Library

Awards & lists

Themes, setting & tropes

Genres

Setting

Subjects

  • Boys
  • Male friendship
  • Fathers and sons
  • Carnival
  • Sci-fi
  • Fantasy
  • Fantasy fiction
  • Horror
  • Carnivals
  • Science fiction
  • Friendship
  • Coming of age
  • Illinois
  • Fêtes foraines
  • Romans, nouvelles
  • Rejuvenation

Publisher

Quick answers

Who wrote Something Wicked This Way Comes?

Something Wicked This Way Comes was written by Ray Bradbury and first published in 1962.

What genre is Something Wicked This Way Comes?

It is usually shelved as Historical Fantasy, Horror and Circus & Carnival.

How long is Something Wicked This Way Comes?

The median edition has 278 pages, about 5–6 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.

What books are similar to Something Wicked This Way Comes?

Readers who like it often enjoy Queremos tanto a Glenda, The Jewel of Seven Stars and Summer of Night.

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