Willmar Public Library Reads discussion

1. The book is divided into three (four if you count the Prologue) parts: Arrivals, Pursuits, and Departures. Do these divisions make sense? What about the titles? Who is arriving/pursuing/departing in each?

2. Who do you think is the target audience (age group) of Something Wicked This Way Comes? How might its meaning change for readers of different age groups?

3. In the Prologue, we learn that Something Wicked This Way Comes is a tale of what happens one year when Halloween comes early. What elements of the novel may be described as Halloween-ish? What is the significance of Halloween in the novel?

4. Why is Mr. Dark so intent on capturing these two boys in particular?

5. How much do Will and Jim's birthdays play a role in determining their characters? Does this mean that they can't help but exhibit the characteristics that they do?

6. What's going on with that one-sentence chapter? What purpose does that serve in the novel?

7. Charles tells his son that the carnival preys on those unconnected to the community, those whose cries of help will not be heard. Does this seem true about the victims we've seen in the novel? What about the schoolteacher?

8. Do you like Mr. Halloway in the beginning? What do you think of his relationship with Will? What role do you think his occupation plays in the story?

9. What do you think about Will and Jim’s relationship? Do you like that they are adventurous, run everywhere, and sneak out at night? Did you do that as a youth? Did you have a friend like that? How do you think the carnival affected their relationship?

10. What is the significance of the library in this story? Of Mr. Halloway being a janitor there? Is it a sort of “temple”?

11. Do you like carnivals? Have you ever been to a “Freak Show”?

12. Would you like to go for a spin on the Merry-go-Round and which direction would you go? Would you risk it, even though your mind stays the same?

13. What was the significance of the lightning rod in the beginning of the book? Did lightning strike? Was it a good opening to this story?

14. What about the “Most Beautiful Woman in the World”? Was she the woman stuck in the ice?

15. Are the freaks good or bad? Or are they just victims of the carnival?

16. If Mr. Dark is the epitome of evil/wickedness, what do we learn about the nature of evil?

17. Why do you think laughter was the key to winning against the evil? Could you have found the humor in this situation? What would you do if something wicked was after you?