Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

Often when you ask people about their favorite film or book, they don’t answer immediately, can’t choose special one. One quote goes to my mind in such situations: “if you don’t like to read, you just didn’t find the right book”. When people ask me about my favorite book I always say that it is “Dandelion Wine” by Ray Bradbury. I know, that it isn’t so serious and exciting book, but while I was reading it, I wanted if only it wouldn’t have an end.

About 4 years ago I bought this and another, more popular, book by Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451 in my summer holidays. I liked second one too, but it didn’t affect me so much as Dandelion Wine.

I think that that book touched my soul years ago, because in most it is an autobiography of the author. He wrote about one summer that he spent with his little brother and friends when he was 12. The main character of the story Douglas Spalding is impersonation of author. ‘Douglas’ is his middle name, while ‘Spalding’ is his mother’s last name. There is no breathtaking plot or mystery, only feelings and adventures of a little boy. Story was written in such way that you are calmly carried to this place, in a little town called GreenTown in Illinois, USA. I like that when you are reading a book you feel yourself in such way as talking with real 12-years-old boy. He loves his life, loves to be young and free. "I want to feel all there is to feel, he thought. Let me feel tired, now, let me feel tired. I mustn't forget, I'm alive, I know I'm alive, I mustn't forget it tonight or tomorrow or the day after that."

Moreover, after that book I was interested in Ray Bradbury’s creations. And because now I don’t have dandelion wine in Almaty I brought with me his another book called “Farewell, summer”. It is a sequel of Dandelion Wine, but, from my point of view, the first part is better.

I would recommend to read “dandelion wine” especially in summer time. To feel the atmosphere, maybe start your day with reading one short story about Douglas and his friends. This kind and warm novel won’t leave you indifferent in either case. You would like to live, to love and to feel!