The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Halloween Tree
Book Review: A Classic Halloween Family Story
Summary: 5 Stars
Every Halloween Tom Skelton and 7 other boys would go trick-or-treating with Joe Pipkin. All of them are in their costumes playing in town when they realize that only 8 of them are present. Though their faces were all hidden by masks they knew who wasn't there. They could just tell he was missing. Joe Pipkin, the greatest boy who ever lived, the boy who never ever sat still was not with them.
The boys go to Pipkin's house. When he comes out, he is not his usual perky self. He tells his friends to go on, that he will meet them at the place of the Haunts. At a spooky house situated there, they meet Mr. Moundshroud and find his Halloween tree. Pipkin appears in the distance much later, but is whisked away from them by a dark something. Mr. Moundshroud takes them backwards on a journey through time and space to save their friend, Pipkin, from certain death and to learn the history and meaning of Halloween.
Part of their journey takes them through ancient Egypt, where they learned how death was part of everyday life, where Halloween seemed to take place each day.
The Grecian Isles are visited. There black molasses was painted on the doorposts so visiting ghosts would stick to them and not be able to come indoors.
They saw the festival of Samhain in England, as well as other festivals in different parts of Europe. In each place visited, their friend, Pipkin, would appear. All the time afraid that they will never see him again, they chase after him each time.
They chase him on to the Notre Dame in Paris, France, then on to Mexico. I'm not going to tell you how the story ends - that just wouldn't be right. There is no way that I could adequately convey to you just how unique this Halloween story is.
The ending is good and it is a suitable book for children of all ages. If one is easily scared, there is a slight chance it could be frightening, but only a slight chance. Only in one's imagination could the events in this story ever take place.
Each place they stop, creepy Mr. Moundshroud shares with the boys the unique customs surrounding death. Since Mr. Moundshroud represents death, he would know about every custom surrounding death at anytime in history.
The Halloween Tree was written by Ray Bradbury, a master of fantasy and science fiction. First published in 1972, it is a classic tale to be enjoyed by young and old alike.
I was surprised that I had never in my life heard of this tale, especially since I am such an avid reader. Ray Bradbury's unique description of events and surroundings is refreshing and easy to read. Families would enjoy reading the 145 pages of The Halloween Tree together.
Book Review: A Great Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
Halloween is fast approaching. A recent conversation with a stranger in the lands beyond Avalon regarding the holiday and its origins have made me decide to review another old book that some may have overlooked. The book is called THE HALLOWEEN TREE and was written by Ray Bradbury.This book tells the story of a group of small boys and a dangerous adventure they all share one Halloween with a spooky character named Clarence Clavicle Moundshroud. Much of the tale is taken up by the search for a missing friend. But while the plot is simple and originally aimed at younger readers the book has a second level.
The second level concerns Halloween and its history. But it also touches on similar celebrations in other cultures, such as the Mexican Day of the Dead, and the common origins for these festivals. While the story is entertaining it manages to keep you from realizing just how much you are learning when reading the book.
THE HALLOWEEN TREE was adapted for television at one point but I feel that production just doesn't hold a candle (or jack-o-lantern) to the book.
Book Review: A Halloween adventure
Summary: 5 Stars
Some of Ray Bradbury's stories display a fascination with the misunderstood macabre, an interpretation of darkness from the eyes of a child. This book is one of those contrasts in dark and light, hope amongst doom. The spindly and spooky Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud whisks these young boys away on a strange and lovely Halloween adventure that will leave you on the edge of your seat.Book Review: A Lyrical Journey.
Summary: 4 Stars
This is not Bradbury's best book, but it shows exactly how strong Bradbury's controll of language is. What makes his language even more powerful is that every sentence, every word, is absolutely given to the story, merging with the strange and wonderous scenes that fill Bradbury's tribute to Halloween. If you like this book you'll love Something Wicked This Way Comes. (Hey parents, want to give your kids a love of reading, read to them from this book when they are young and give them copies of Something Wicked, Martian Chronicles, and Fahrenheit 451 when they are older).Book Review: A Near Perfect Halloween Tale, a True Treat for Any Age!
Summary: 5 Stars
This story of eight Halloween costumed lads and their journey through land and time in search of a friend is perfect for the holiday, as it not only entertains but educates as well. Whether it be Celtic customs of old or a skull shaped cookie in Mexico for Dia de Los Muertes through this tale young readers can understand that Halloween is not, nor has it always been, just celebrated with candy and masks. Bradbury allows for the overshadowing of death to linger but not suffocate (which would scare children) and so doing correlates the celebration of the harvest with the end of life. He then deftly clarifies that this celebration of the end of life reaffirms the prospect of living itself, and that there is nothing demonic in that. I would recommend this for more intermediate readers (8-12) as many of the ideas and descriptions would quite possible be too much for a child younger than that. But whether you're 8 or 80 this tale will intrigue and entertain. Nearly perfect. So wait 'til the leaves start to turn, settle down with a nice mug of hot cider by a roaring fire, and allow Mr. Bradbury to take you to The Halloween Tree.