Bradbury adds a touch of the supernatural and a pinch of wish fulfilment to produce something truly terrifying. There is something other-worldly about them, with their freak-shows, bunko artists and silver-tongued magicians. Like clowns, carnivals are something that are supposed to entertain children and adults alike, yet in reality they are macabre and scary. It takes as its subject that stalwart of gothic fiction, the carnival troupe. In honour of the great man’s passing I bought the book. My mind reeled, was this just coincidence or had I inadvertently caused the death of one of science fiction’s greatest authors? OK, he was ninety-one, but did I have that sort of power? Well obviously not, but even now a small part of me wonders whether I should have checked out Jedward’s biography whilst I was there. When I arrived home, the news was just in.
Instead I added it to ‘the list’, promising myself I would return soon. Being a sensible thrifty chap, I resisted the temptation to purchase there and then. I think it might be the finest opening line of all time. One line and I was hooked desperate for more. ‘The seller of lightning rods arrived just ahead of the storm.’ The neon green on black cover of this reissue certainly has appeal.
I was in my local Waterstones (again) when an amazing cover caught my eye.
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