
"Dandelion Wine" by Ray Bradbury is a nostalgic and beautifully written novel that captures the essence of a summer in 1928 through the eyes of a young boy in a small town. The book explores themes of childhood, coming of age, life, death, and the magic found in everyday moments. Written in a poetic and almost magical realism style, the novel weaves together vignettes that evoke a sense of wonder, nostalgia, and contemplation about the mysteries of life.
The plot revolves around Douglas Spaulding's experiences during that transformative summer, where he encounters joy, loss, discovery, and the bittersweet realization of mortality. Through the lens of Douglas, Bradbury paints a vivid picture of small-town America, filled with quirky characters, enchanting adventures, and profound reflections on the nature of existence.
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From The Publisher:
The summer of '28 was a vintage season for a growing boy. A summer of green apple trees, mowed lawns, and new sneakers. Of half-burnt firecrackers, of gathering dandelions, of Grandma's belly-busting dinner. It was a summer of sorrows and marvels and gold-fuzzed bees. A magical, timeless summer in the life of a twelve-year-old boy named Douglas Spaulding-remembered forever by the incomparable Ray Bradbury.
The only god living in Green Town, Illinois, that Douglas Spaulding knew of.
The facts about John Huff, aged twelve, are simple and soon stated.
He could pathfind more trails than any Choctaw or Cherokee since time began.
Could leap from the sky like a chimpanzee from a vine.
Could live underwater two minutes and slide fifty yards downstream.
Could hit baseballs into apple trees, knocking down harvests.
Could jump six-foot orchard walls.
Ran laughing.
Sat easy.
Was not a bully.
Was kind.
Knew the words to all the cowboy songs and would teach you if you asked.
Knew the names of all the wild flowers and when the moon would rise or set and when the tides came in or out.
He was, in fact, the only god living in the whole of Green Town, Illinois, during the twentieth century that Douglas Spaulding knew of.
"[Ray] Bradbury is an authentic original."-Time
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Want To Read (33) | |
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About the Author:
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012) was America's foremost writer of science fiction and fantasy. Among his most popular adult books were Fahrenheit 451, The Martian Chronicles, The Illustrated Man, Dandelion Wine, and Death Is a Lonely Business. In addition, he wrote several books for children, including Switch on the Night….
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