Something Wicked This Way Comes

I would have to put this book right on par with Shadow Divers as one of the best Audible listens I've had. Ray Bradbury's story is a great coming of age tale. The vivid descriptions of people, places and feelings really helps bring the reader into the world he has created. From the first chapter when the Carnival rolls into town and the scent of cotton candy floats through the air, it's difficult not to feel yourself running along the streets with Will and Jim and experiencing all the other-worldly sights they uncover. While the premise of the book is quite sci-fi, Bradbury's writing keeps the plot believable.

However, many a great novel has been ruined by poor narration, but in this respect, Ken Foley matches Bradbury's superb novel. The different voices used for different characters helps keep the plot clear and are excellent reflections of the characters. Jim's voice conveys a headstrong and brash young boy who acts unafraid, but is something quite different under the surface. Will is equally well played as a timid young boy who is frequently afraid but deep down inside begins to find his inner courage.

Few books I've read have such a superb combination of excellent writing and narration as this one. It is well worth a listen!

My first thought is that the publishers summary made me think the book would be different than it really was. It sounded like something enjoyable to young adults, but I found myself not caring too much once I heard the narrator sounding like a 10 yr old for the young adult parts. This really put me off for most all of the book. I was beginning to think all of the events taking place were not real but just the imagination of children and I was just about to return the book when the Dad entered the scene and gave the adult perspective that I needed to the story. Maybe in print I would read the scenes differently without the whiny voice of the narrator? Finally in the last hour or so something significant happens that invokes some real terror... I can finally say I have read some Bradbury, but I would not use a credit on this knowing what you know now. Hope this helps somebody. Later.

I remember loving this book when I was in middle school and wanted to enjoy it again now that my children are nearly that age. While I enjoyed the memories that this book brought back I found I didn't enjoy it as much as an adult as I did when I was younger. At times the way Ray Bradbury described the boys friendship and connection which I once so enjoyed seemed to wordy and distracting. However it is still a very solid story which is well written

I would recommend it for Bradbury fans. Due to nostalgia.

For its day this was a captivating story and I would not recommend any changes.

All of the scenes on the carousel were quite appealing to me.

That sounds interesting and do-able to me. I can only imagine new arising young actors as the two boys and some older popular actor like Bill Paxton as the dad. The Carnival owners could be someone like Tom Waites or Gary Oldman.

I recalled my own childhood in around this time the boys were in and can picture that kind of experience enriching my childhood.

This was a new book for me - I delighted in the incrediable use of painted words. A classic tale of good verses evil... the power of love, laughter, courage and friendship. So glad I found it.

I read this book many many years ago and was disappointed with this recording. The narrator was flat and didn't bring Bradbury's poetry to life. There was not enough delineation in his characters as well. It's such a classic book, audible.com should re-record it with a better narrator. Sorry guys.

This is one of my favorite books from childhood. I remember reading and getting the shivers as the story progressed. I did not get the shivers from this audio version becase the choice of narrator did not seem like a good fit with the prose and story. The narrator's voice seemed better suited to a "hard-boiled" detective story then this novel which requires a voice that can create a atmosphere of dread, longing, and mystery.
I listened to a sample of the Steven Rudnicki version and like his intrepretation much better. I think a reader such as George Guidall, Bronson Pinchot, or even Campbell Scott would have been an excellent choice. Too bad the great Frank Mueller is no longer reading books.

I tried to finish this audio book to find out how it ended, but I couldn't. I might have been able to finish a print version, but the combination of the whiny Will, as the reader portrayed one of the boys in the story, and the short, choppy, writing style the author used in writing this story combined to make me absolutely hate this audio book. If I could have got my hands around Will's throat, I would have throttled him to shut him up.

We spend so much time inside Will's head and inside his father's head, that it's easy to forget what the story is all about. I like stories about kids; I like SF fiction and fantasy; and I've read stories by Ray Bradbury I liked; but I hated this one.

Maybe, when my revulsion for this story has ebbed somewhat, I'll listen to the last chapter so see what happens; but on second thought...

No

Modern Scholar Series. those have all been great, and have purchase quite a few.

Good range of voices.

All the characters just seemed cardboard to prop up the gimmicks of time machines and houses of mirrors, etc.

I probably will stick to non-fiction or historical fiction from now on.