The book that inspired them all

All iconic fiction writers who filled with nightmares the minds of millions of teenagers a long time ago. It all started with one single book.

1962. Ray Bradbury (Illinois, 1920-2012) is already one of the greatest science-fiction writers of his time. His praised works Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451, plus a large collection of short stories are worth of great artistic merit. Most of Bradbury’s stories talk about the future to come: Aliens, robots and the inevitable conquest of Mars. But he still has something coming. A novel about the past.

Something wicked this way comes takes place in the fictional location of Green Town. That’s the way Bradbury renames his real hometown, Waukegan. When he was young, a strange man appeared there asking him if he wanted to live forever. This novel takes place right after then, and memories of young Bradbury mix with his endless imagination and evocative prose to give us this unforgettable dark fantasy tale.

Jim Nightshade and Will Halloway, two youngsters in their way to maturity confront dark forces during that strange time between summer and autumn. The circus in in town, with The Illustrated Man as a terrifying and dangerous antagonist who threatens the lifes of the citizens. It is also a mature view of growing up, the end of childhood, friendship in times of need and the classic fight of good against evil.

If not the most famous Bradbury’s work, it can’t be denied that it became an inspiration for many kids of the sixties who were to be writers. Even Stephen King’s masterpiece It evidences true affect. R.L. Stine, icon of the 90’s with his extense Goosebumps saga

 -kids running into fear- goes further. He remarks “Something…” as the most influencial book he ever read.

Come on, dare into the dark. Something wicked this way comes.