The Halloween Tree

A classic tale of horror and adventure from the master of storytelling, Ray Bradbury.On Halloween night, eight trick-or-treaters gather at the haunted house by the edge of town, ready for adventure.But when a dark Something whisks their friend Pip away, only one man – the sinister Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud – can help the boys find him.Transported from ancient Egypt to the towers of Notre Dame to Mexican catacombs, an enchanting journey into the history of life and death uncovers the strength of their friendship and the true significance of Halloween.

Amazon.com Review

Special indeed are holiday stories with the right mix of high spirits and subtle mystery to please both adults and children--Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol," for example. Or Ray Bradbury's classic The Halloween Tree. Eight boys set out on a Halloween night and are led into the depths of the past by a tall, mysterious character named Moundshroud. They ride on a black wind to autumn scenes in distant lands and times, where they witness other ways of celebrating this holiday about the dark time of year. Bradbury's lyrical prose whooshes along with the pell-mell rhythms of children running at night, screaming and laughing, and the reader is carried along by its sheer exuberance. Bradbury's stories about children are always attended by dread--of change, adulthood, death. The Halloween Tree, while sweeter than his adult literature, is also touched at moments by the cold specter of loss--which is only fitting, of course, for a holiday in honor of the waning of the sun. This is a superb book for adults to read to children, a way to teach them, quite painlessly, about customs and imagery related to Halloween from ancient Egypt, Mediterranean cultures, Celtic Druidism, Mexico, and even a cathedral in Paris. (One caveat, though: Bradbury unfortunately perpetuates a couple of misconceptions about Samhain, or summer's end, the Halloween of ancient Celts and contemporary pagans.) This beautiful reprint edition has the original black-and-white illustrations and a new color painting on the dust jacket. --Fiona Webster

From the Publisher

"At last someone has written a book about Halloween that is tricky and scary, ghostly and windy, deathly and clammy"-- The Boston Globe"Imaginatively cryptic...skillfully presented."-- The Los Angeles Times"A spectacular guide to the nether regions."-- Kirkus"There is a great treat in Bradbury's frenetic imagery."-- The New York Times

From the Inside Flap

in black-and-white. Now back in print is the stunning contemporary classic by American literary treasure Ray Bradbury, author of Fahrenheit 451 and The Martian Chronicles. Meet the mysterious Mr. Moonshroud, who leads eight boys on a journey back through the centuries to discover the real meaning of Halloween. Prose of exquisite beauty will send shivers of delight--and terror--through readers, who will want to take this trip over and over again, long after the last jack-o'-lantern has gone dark.

From the Back Cover

Illustrated in black-and-white. Now back in print is the stunning contemporary classic by American literary treasure Ray Bradbury, author of "Fahrenheit 451 and "The Martian Chronicles. Meet the mysterious Mr. Moonshroud, who leads eight boys on a journey back through the centuries to discover the real meaning of Halloween. Prose of exquisite beauty will send shivers of delight--and terror--through readers, who will want to take this trip over and over again, long after the last jack-o'-lantern has gone dark.

About the Author

Ray Bradbury lives in Los Angeles.Joseph Mugnaini lives in California.

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