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Dandelion Wine

Book 1 in the series:Green Town

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"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.

Characters:

Characters are richly drawn, with Douglas Spaulding at the center, showcasing a range of small-town inhabitants that explore themes of youth, aging, and the human experience.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is lyrical and poetic, characterized by vivid imagery and nostalgic reflections that evoke strong emotions and the beauty of childhood.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the summer of 1928 as experienced by young Douglas Spaulding in a fictional small town, capturing numerous nostalgic moments and life lessons through interconnected stories.

Setting:

The setting is in Green Town, Illinois, during the summer of 1928, richly described to evoke nostalgia and the simplicity of small-town life.

Pacing:

The pacing is leisurely, composed of episodic segments that encourage reflection and appreciation of the language, facilitating a slow and enjoyable reading experience.
This book, like most of my books and stories, was a surprise. I began to learn the nature of such surprises, thank God, when I was fairly young as a writer. Before that, like every beginner, I thought...

Notes:

Dandelion Wine is not science fiction or fantasy; it has elements of magic realism.
The story is semi-autobiographical, inspired by Bradbury's own childhood experiences in Waukegan, Illinois.
It takes place during the summer of 1928 in a fictional town called Green Town.
The main character, Douglas Spaulding, is a 12-year-old boy experiencing a pivotal summer.
The novel is structured episodically, with interconnected short stories rather than a single narrative.
Themes include growing up, the joys and sorrows of childhood, friendships, and acceptance of aging and mortality.
Bradbury's writing is noted for its lyrical quality and vivid imagery, often evoking nostalgia.
The titular dandelion wine symbolizes capturing the essence of summer and childhood memories.
Key incidents involve the creation of a 'Happiness Machine' and the ominous presence of a serial killer known as 'The Lonely One'.
It explores the transition from childhood to adulthood, highlighting both joy and the inevitability of loss.

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

Ratings (18)

Incredible (6)
Loved It (4)
Liked It (4)
It Was OK (3)
Did Not Like (1)

Reader Stats (56):

Read It (18)
Want To Read (33)
Not Interested (5)

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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