A great book that shows the battle between good and evil and how good can triumph. Primarily a "rebirth" plot, but also an "overcoming the monster" (refer to Booker's "The Seven Basic Plots" for more info). Very vivid and well written. The carnival is Bradbury's version of Bunyan's Vanity Fair, except the carnival comes to you rather than you pilgrimaging through the Fair. Also, this book seems to be the dark counterpart to "Dandelion Wine," with both set in the same town and starring two young boys. "Dandelion Wine" is to Summer as "Something Wicked This Way Comes" is to October/Halloween.