Something Wicked This Way Comes

Bradbury is an acclaimed and prolific American writer. His most popular works include Fahrenheit 451, The Illustrated Man, The Martian Chronicles, and numerous science fiction short stories such as “The Veldt” and “A Sound of Thunder.” Bradbury is most known for his dystopian fiction, which features futuristic civilizations in decline, and speculative fiction, which speculates on the future of humanity as it relates to technology and progress. Something Wicked This Way Comes is Bradbury’s venture into dark fantasy, which blends fantastical elements with horror. It is based on Bradbury’s experience growing up in Waukegan, Illinois, a small town in the American Midwest. This novel highlights Bradbury’s concern with the dark side of human nature and its desire for immortality.

When Bradbury was 14, Jim and Will’s age, he loved going to the carnival. He met a variety of characters who would later be compiled and remade into the novel’s sideshow performers. One of these carnival workers, a real magician named Mr. Electrico, deeply affected Bradbury: “Mr. Electrico was a fantastic creator of marvels. He sat in his electric chair every night and was electrocuted in front of all the people, young and old, of Waukegan, Illinois. He then shouted at me, ‘Live forever!’” (Pappas, Stephanie.