'Shindig'
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Oh, that wasn't even hardcore self-deprecation, that was just typical "How could I possibly compare to Ray Bradbury?" bullshit.
Ahahahaha. Yes, I know those feels, to quote the Kids Today.
So this Ray Bradbury guy knows how to write words good
Once you have finished with Something Wicked This Way Comes, you need (NEED!) to read "Homecoming". It's a short story, and it's pretty much THE Bradbury story of my heart.
Bradbury was clearly an influence on King. This is very King-y. So ominous! So foreboding! And I love the lightning rod salesman. I thought he was part of the evil carnival at first, but maybe he's not? He seems just as intrigued by the Most Beautiful Woman in the World.
Bradbury was clearly an influence on King.
Oh yeah. Something King will readily admit.
I'd say King's three biggest writing influences are Bradbury, Shirley Jackson and Richard Matheson.
But he talks about all three in Danse Macabre.
Small town, children, a building sense of dread, and the general vibe/style, though Bradbury has more of a down-home storyteller feel to him.
though Bradbury has more of a down-home storyteller feel to him.
Bradbury grew up in the 20s and 30s instead of the 50s like King. I think that's a factor.
But I think the way King writes child characters is especially indebted to Bradbury.
Is this when I voice my usual wish for King to write an updated version of Dance Macabre? I think it is.
Relatedly, the current issue of Rue Morgue magazine has a wonderful interview with Bradbury. It made me sniffly.
I found a copy of Danse Macabre in the used bookstore here last summer, and snatched it right up, even though I have another one somewhere. It's such a fantastic read, about horror and writing and just being human.
I've actually never read Bradbury, although I always meant to. I should get on that. Something Wicked seems like exactly my kind of thing.
I'd never heard of Danse Macabre! It sounds interesting.
Something Wicked seems like exactly my kind of thing.
There's a woman inside a block of ice! I'll bet she gives a cold kiss.
I'd never heard of Danse Macabre! It sounds interesting.
It's my favorite King book. Oooh, I wonder if there's an ebook version that I can take with me everywhere.
Well, don't spoil it for me!
Is Danse Macabre still in print? I kind of can't imagine it isn't, but it wouldn't be shelved with his fiction, so I never think about it. (Although, in fact, it was shelved with his fiction in the used bookstore, but they take even alphabetization as a loose guideline.)