Something Wicked This Way Comes

"What if someone discovers your secret dream, that one great wish you would give anything for? And what if that person suddenly makes your dream come true -- before you learn the price you have to pay? Something Wicked This Way Comes is the story of two boys who encounter the sinister wonders of Cooger & Dark's Pandemonium Shadow Show. They will soon discover the show's awful mystery -- a mystery that will change the life of every person it touches -- in this stunning masterwork of dark fantasy by Ray Bradbury." (Synopsis from the cover of a Bantam edition)

Like many of his works, Something Wicked... is a mixture of autobiography and fantasy. The setting is similar to the Waukegan of Bradbury's youth and the two boys portray different sides of his personality. 

Although millions have enjoyed this novel in its original form, many more now know the story through the Walt Disney Company's movie version.
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Publishing Information:

• First hardcover edition published by Simon & Schuster in 1962. This edition had two printings, both in September 1962.
• First British hardcover edition published by Rupert Hart-Davis in 1963.
• First paper edition published by Bantam in 1963. (Bantam #H2630) There were numerous printings of this edition.
• First printing with the Disney movie cover is the 25th Bantam printing, 1983.
• First British paper edition published by Corgi in 1965.
• A mass-market paper edition was published by Avon in 1998. ISBN 0380729407
• Signed Limited Edition, Gauntlet Press, 1999. ISBN 188736823X
• Hardbound trade edition, 1999. Avon Books.  ISBN 0380977273

Excerpt:

"Well, what have you there?" Mr. Dark squinted. "A Bible? How Very Charming, how childish and refreshingly old-fashioned."

"Have you ever read it, Mr. Dark?"

"Read it! I've had every page, paragraph, and word read at me, sir!" Mr. Dark took time to light a cigarette and blow smoke toward the NO SMOKING sign, then at Will's father. "Do you really imagine that books can harm me? Is Naiveté really your armor? Here!"

And before Charles Halloway could move, Mr. Dark ran lightly forward and took the Bible. He held it in his two hands.

"Aren't you surprised? See, I touch, hold, even read from it."

Mr. Dark blew smoke on the pages as he riffled them.

"Do you expect me to fall away into so many Dead Sea scrolls of flesh before you? Myths, unfortunately, are just that. Life, and by life I could mean so many fascinating things, goes on, makes shift for itself, survives wildly, and I not the least wild among many. Your King James and his literary version of some rather stuffy poetic materials is worth about this much of my time and sweat."

Mr. Dark hurled the Bible into a wastepaper basket and did not look at it again.

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