| Plot Summary of Something Wicked This Way Comes |
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"A traveling circus offers a city the power to return to or advance to whatever age they choose, claiming a major price. A young boy fights to keep the city and his friend from paying that price."
Wendy Edwards, Resident Scholar
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"One of the great works of 20th century fantasy. Unlike Bradbury's other "story collection novels" (e.g., _The Martian Chronicles_, _Dandelion Wine_, even _Green Shadows, White Whale_), this is truly a novel: whole, organic, and complete. There are two protagonists, 13-year-old best friends, who must unravel the mystery of the Dark Carnival that comes to their Midwestern town and seems to suck up the bodies and souls of their neighbors."
David Loftus, Resident Scholar
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"Will Halloway and Jim Nightshade, two almost 14 year olds in small town Illinois of the 1920's become intrigued by Cooger and Dark's carnival and its October arrival. They come to the attention and chase of the sinister Mr. Dark, who is giving people their most secret wishes. Finally, it is up to Will's aging and reticient father to brave the dark carnival and rescue the boys from Mr. Dark and his troupe of grotesques."
Travis Barrett, Resident Scholar
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| Review Analysis of Something Wicked This Way Comes |
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Our unique search engine provides a wealth of detail about books by breaking them down into many different literary elements, all of which are searchable (click here).
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 20%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%
Tone of book
- very upbeat
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy story on current Earth
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- bad magical powers hunting non/weaker magical(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Adult or Young Adult Book
Horror story?
Yes
Horror plotlets
- the monster chased me!
Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- a teen
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- magical being
Age:
- long-lived adults
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- mind control
- can read emotions
- is very quick
Eccentric:
Yes
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- a moderate amount
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Setting
Earth setting:
- 20th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Sex in book?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- vague references only
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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